SHORT-TERM RESPIRATORY EFFECTS OF 0.12 PPM OZONE EXPOSURE IN VOLUNTEERS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY-DISEASE

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Abstract
Human volunteers [25] with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of mild to moderately severe degree underwent 1-h exposures to 0.12 ppm ozone (O3) in purified air with intermittent mild exercise. Their responses were assessed in terms of forced expiratory performance, ear oximetry and reported symptoms. Control studies consisted of similar exposures to purified air alone. Control studies were separated from O3 exposures by 1 mo., and the order was randomized. All studies took place in a controlled-environment chamber and were preceded by .apprx. 1 h of rest in a purified-air environment. No significant disturbances in forced expiratory performance or symptoms attributable to O3 exposure were found. A slight but significant tendency to decreased arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO2) during exercise in O3 was observed. The decrement in SaO2 with O3 relative to clean air (mean 1.3%) was near the limit of resolution of the ear oximeter test and was detected by signal averaging; thus, its physiological or clinical significance is uncertain.