Guarding the 'Umbrella' of the World, Beware of Ozone Pollution

Observance of International Ozone Day

The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere about 25-30 kilometers above the Earth's surface. It absorbs more than 99% of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, thus protecting life on Earth from short-wave UV rays. As human activities intensified and the ozone layer was seriously damaged, the parties to the United Nations signed the Montreal Protocol in 1995, designating September 16 each year as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. This day reminds us to pay attention to the changes in the ozone layer. With the phasing out of halocarbons by 2024, significant progress will be made in protecting the ozone layer.

While the ozone layer in the stratosphere protects humans from the harmful radiation of the sun's ultraviolet rays, ozone in the troposphere is harmful to human health. Consequently, real-time monitoring is an essential part of the process of controlling near-surface ozone emissions.

Currently, spectroscopy is one of the widely used monitoring technologies. The AQMS-300 ozone analyzer self-developed by FPI, utilizing UV-DOAS technology, is capable of detecting O3 concentrations ranging from ppb to ppm in ambient air. Equipped with a mercury lamp light attenuation self-check function, the instrument alerts customers to replace the light source promptly to ensure the accuracy of the monitoring data.

Apart from direct ozone emissions, nitrogen oxides serve as precursor substances that, through photochemical reactions and interactions with other compounds in the atmosphere, trigger a series of photochemical reaction chains, culminating in ground-level ozone formation. FPI AQMS-600 nitrogen oxide analyzer, based on chemiluminescence technology, can detect NOx concentrations ranging from ppb to ppm in ambient air and enable data transmission through RS232/RS485/Ethernet interfaces. Both analyzers have been certified by CCEP and EPA and widely applied in pollution plants like paper mills and steel plant.

By monitoring and analyzing ground-level air quality, we gain a better understanding of the sources, distribution, and hazards of ozone and nitrogen oxides, raising awareness of environmental pollution and climate change among the public. On the occasion of International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, we call upon individuals to take action to protect the Earth's atmosphere and ecosystem, working together to achieve sustainable development goals.