Research report (Health Effects Institute)
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Res Rep Health Eff Inst · Jun 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEffects of ozone on normal and potentially sensitive human subjects. Part II: Airway inflammation and responsiveness to ozone in nonsmokers and smokers.
Exposure to ozone at levels near the National Ambient Air Quality Standard causes respiratory symptoms, changes in lung function, and airway inflammation. Although ozone-induced changes in lung function have been well characterized in healthy individuals, the relationship between airway inflammation and changes in pulmonary function have not been prospectively examined. The purpose of this study was to determine whether individuals who differ in, lung function responsiveness to ozone also differ in susceptibility to airway inflammation and injury. ⋯ Furthermore, the burden of toxic oxygen species following ozone exposure was greater for smokers than for nonsmokers. Subjects were young, healthy, and able to sustain exercise; the results may not be representative of nonsmokers or smokers in general. Nevertheless, the findings indicate that measuring symptoms and spirometric changes is not sufficient to assess the potential risks associated with ozone exposure.