Effects of ozone on lung function and lung diseases.
Ozone (O3) is an air pollutant produced by sunlight-driven reactions involving the oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds. The population of many large metropolitan areas in the US is exposed to high levels of O3, particularly in the summer months. Individuals exposed to O3 levels in human experiments at higher than common ambient levels develop reversible reductions in lung function often associated with symptoms, such as airway hyperreactivity and lung inflammation. Animal models have helped characterize potential mechanisms of lung injury from O3 exposure. Defining the adverse effects of chronic exposure to ambient levels of O3 on lung function and disease have been challenging, in part due to the presence of co-pollutants, such as particulate matter. The US Environmental Protection Agency's 1997 revised standard for O3 (0.08 ppm averaged over 8 hours) is designed to provide better protection to susceptible individuals. The revised standard is being implemented following the failure of court challenges.
Uysal
Nevin
N
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin and Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, 53295, USA. rschap@mcw.edu
Schapira
Ralph M
RM
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014481:United States; D014484:United States Environmental Protection Agency
D000393:Air Pollutants; D010126:Ozone