Recent advances in studies of ozone pollution and impacts in China: A short review

Surface ozone (O3) is a photochemical pollutant detrimental to human health and vegetation. Anthropogenic emissions of O3 precursors have enhanced the levels of O3 over many areas of the world. Measurements from a large number of sites in China show that the country has been experiencing severe O3 pollution for a few years. The concentrations of O3 in many Chinese cities have been increasing in recent years, against the decreasing trends of particulate matters. Exposure to high levels of O3 has been found to cause significant premature mortality in people, crop yield losses, and damages to trees in the country. This short review summarizes recent advances in studies of O3 pollution in China, focusing on spatiotemporal variations as well as impacts on human health and vegetation, and provides some recommendations for future studies.