Lifetime Exposure to Ozone Stunts Lung Function in Young Adults
This study assessed effects of chronic exposure to air pollutants in University of California, Berkeley freshmen who were lifelong residents of the Los Angeles or San Francisco Bay areas.
Students in the study had never smoked. Air pollution exposure was estimated based on spatial interpolation of PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone monitors to the students residences. Lung function measurements were gathered between February and May, when the students had not had recent exposure to increased levels of ozone.
The study found that lifetime exposure to ozone in adolescents 18-20 years old is associated with reduced levels of lung function measures that reflect the function of the small airways. The associations are independent of any effects related to PM and nitrogen dioxide.
Tager IB, Balmes, Lurmann F, Ngo L, Alcorn S, and Küenzli. Chronic Exposure to Ambient Ozone and Lung Function in Young Adults. Epidemiology 2005; 16:751-759.
For a copy of the abstract click here.
