WICHITA, Kan.  - Wichita officials are asking residents to help cut pollution after the city exceeded its limit for ozone at least seven times this year.
     The city warned residents Friday that continued violations of ozone standards could result in costly federal regulations that could harm the local economy.
     The Wichita Eagle  reports the pollutant is formed when components of gasoline and industrial emissions mix in the atmosphere and are baked by strong sunlight.
     The city's environmental initiatives manager says Wichita will almost certainly fail to meet the ozone standard for the year. The result could be costly pollution controls like those adopted in other big cities.
     Ozone can cause sore throats, coughing and shortness of breath, especially for children and the elderly.