EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL OZONE ON THE LUNG-FUNCTION OF SENIOR-CITIZENS

Measurements with a body plethysmograph of lung function parameters an d reports of unusual complaints or irritations were taken from 41 seni or citizens in the situations where they usually spend their daytime h ours. The subjects belonged to a group commonly assumed to be at risk from ozone. Each subject was examined on 8 days both in the morning an d in the afternoon. The object was to obtain for every subject an equa l distribution of measuring days between those with elevated ozone con centrations (maximum 0.5 h mean values between 1.00 and 4.00 p.m. of a t least 0.050 ppm) and those with low ozone concentrations (maximum 0. 5 h mean values between 1.00 and 4.00 p.m, of at most 0.040 ppm). The results showed no relevant ozone related effects on the lung function parameters or the subjective reports of irritations. Thus there was no indication that senior citizens represent a group at particular risk with respect to moderately elevated concentrations of environmental oz one, as occur in central Europe.