Explain how ozone being a deadly poison can still perform an essential function for our environment.

Ozone (O₃) can be both beneficial and harmful, depending on its location in the Earth’s atmosphere. Understanding the context of ozone in different atmospheric layers is crucial to recognizing its dual role:

Stratospheric Ozone (Good Ozone):

Ozone in the stratosphere, often referred to as the “good ozone,” forms the ozone layer, which is located approximately 10 to 50 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.
The ozone layer absorbs and filters out the majority of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly the most dangerous UV-B and UV-C rays.
Without the ozone layer, excessive UV radiation would reach the Earth’s surface, causing harmful effects such as increased rates of skin cancer, cataracts, and damage to ecosystems.

Tropospheric Ozone (Bad Ozone):

Ozone at ground level, in the troposphere, is considered “bad ozone.”
Ground-level ozone is a major component of smog and is formed through the reaction of pollutants (such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) in the presence of sunlight.
Breathing in high concentrations of ground-level ozone can cause respiratory problems, aggravate asthma, and harm lung function.

In summary, while ozone is a deadly poison at ground level and can pose health risks, it plays a critical role in protecting life on Earth when present in the stratosphere. The protective function of the ozone layer in the stratosphere far outweighs the potential harm caused by ground-level ozone. The challenge is to manage and reduce the production of pollutants that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone while recognizing the essential protective role of stratospheric ozone in preserving life on Earth.