DETECTION OF CHRONIC RESPIRATORY BRONCHIOLITIS IN OXIDANT-EXPOSED POPULATIONS - ANALOGY TO TOBACCO-SMOKE EXPOSURE

Studies in nonhuman primates indicate that one pathophysiologic conseq uence of ozone exposure is chronic bronchiolitis in terminal bronchiol es. Modeling dosimetry suggests that a similar phenomenon is possible in humans. These findings may constitute an important analogy to the r espiratory bronchiolitis that is associated with tobacco smoking in yo ung adults. This analogy could form the basis for future research rela ted to chronic respiratory health effects of ozone. The smoking data a re reviewed and several research strategies are proposed that will be developed more fully in subsequent articles in this volume.