The Effects of On-site Measured Ozone Concentration on Pulmonary Function and Symptoms of Asthmatics.
10.3346/jkms.2007.22.1.30
- Author:
Doh Hyung KIM
1
;
Youn Seup KIM
;
Jae Seuk PARK
;
Ho Jang KWON
;
Kye Young LEE
;
Sang Rok LEE
;
Young Koo JEE
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. ykjee@dankook.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Air Pollution;
Asthma;
Ozone
- MeSH:
Ozone/analysis/*toxicity;
Nebulizers and Vaporizers;
Middle Aged;
Male;
Lung/*physiopathology;
Humans;
Female;
Asthma/drug therapy/*etiology/physiopathology;
Air Pollution/*adverse effects;
Aged;
Adult
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2007;22(1):30-36
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Most studies on the effects of ambient ozone on asthmatics have been based on ozone concentration measurements taken by air monitors in downtown areas. Using a passive ozone sampler, we investigated the effects of on-site ozone concentrations on the pulmonary function and symptoms of asthmatics. Twenty moderate to severe asthmatics who had been managed for at least 2 months without changes of their medication were enrolled from 3 June to 18 July 2005. Respiratory, nasal and ocular symptoms, peak expiratory flow (PEF), which was measured twice a day, and medication use were recorded on a daily basis during the study period. Data for 17 subjects were analyzed. The average ozone exposure level was 28.2+/-23.6 ppb (3.4-315.3 ppb). There was no significant correlation between PEF and ozone concentration (p>0.05) on the same day or 1-, 2-, or 3-day lags. Interestingly, the degree of asthma symptoms was influenced by the ozone concentration (rho=0.303, p<0.001), even at concentrations less than 80 ppb (p=0.298, p<0.001), but the correlation between ozone exposure and the frequency of reliever medication use was not statistically significant (p=0.99). Our results suggest that exposure to relatively low concentrations of ozone influences the symptoms of moderate to severe asthmatics regardless of changes in pulmonary function or medication use.
