SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1989
STP22836S

Evaluating Relationships Among Personal Risk Factors, Ambient Oxidant Exposure, and Chronic Respiratory Illness

Source

Transient respiratory irritant effects from exposure to elevated levels of ambient ozone are well documented in studies of human volunteers. Individual reactivity to ozone varies greatly, for unknown reasons. From animal toxicologic evidence, one may reasonably hypothesize that repeated ozone exposure increases the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Relevant human evidence is sparse and equivocal. To test this hypothesis rigorously, an experiment combining controlled human exposures and epidemiologic surveys may be appropriate. This approach would also help to determine whether ambient ozone exposure acutely exacerbates COPD. Recent controlled human studies suggest that individuals' short-term reactivity to ozone is a persistent phenomenon, but may vary seasonally, probably in response to ambient exposures.

Author Information

Hackney, JD
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Linn, WS
Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, Downey, CA
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Details
Developed by Committee: D22
Pages: 174–181
DOI: 10.1520/STP22836S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5085-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1262-9