EFFECT OF OZONE ON RESPIRATORY RESPONSES IN SUBJECTS WITH ASTHMA

In the process of understanding the respiratory effects of individual air pollutants, it is useful to consider which populations seem to be most susceptible to the exposures. Ozone is the most ubiquitous air po llutant in the United States, and there is great interest in the exten t of susceptibility to this air pollutant. This review presents eviden ce that individuals with asthma are more susceptible to adverse respir atory effects from ozone exposure than are nonasthmatic individuals un der similar circumstances. In studies comparing patients with asthma t o nonasthmatic subjects, research has shown increased pulmonary-functi on decrements, an increased frequency of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in ozone responders, increased signs of upper airway inflammation aft er ozone exposure, and an increased response to inhaled sulfur dioxide or allergen in the subjects with asthma. Subjects with asthma are ind eed a population susceptible to the inhaled effects of ozone. These da ta need to be considered by regulators who are charged with setting ai r quality standards to protect even the most susceptible members of th e population. They also underline the importance of strategies to redu ce human exposure to ambient ozone.