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Tribune editorial: Rise early to ride the ozone cycle this summer

Summer heat arrived in earnest his week, and with it comes bad air. Above-normal temperatures are expected, and experts predict a brutal three months of ozone along the Wasatch Front.

Ozone — three oxygen atoms in a single molecule — is a powerful anti-oxidant that damages lungs. Recent research has shown that even low levels cause respiratory problems. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency has lowered the acceptable level for ozone.

We weren’t staying under the old standard consistently, and now under the new standard we could see more unhealthful days than ever this summer.