RESPIRATORY RESPONSES OF ASTHMATICS TO OZONE

Asthmatic individuals in the general population appear to be susceptib le to disease exacerbation during summertime 'smog' episodes (ambient air pollution containing other pollutants in addition to ozone). Altho ugh controlled exposure to ozone causes acute decrements in lung funct ion, asthmatic subjects are only marginally more susceptible to these effects. Ozone exposure also causes respiratory tract inflammatory cha nges, both in normals and asthmatics. Recent studies suggest that ozon e pre-exposure augments the responses of allergic asthmatics to nasal and inhalation challenge with specific antigen. This may offer one pos sible explanation for the findings of field studies.