AUDITORY AND VISUAL SUSTAINED ATTENTION DURING OZONE EXPOSURE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 50  (9) , 906-910
Abstract
Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of O3 at 0.00, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 ppm on sustained visual and auditory attention tasks (vigilance performance). When the rate of signals to non-signals was low, .apprx. 1 out of 30, O3 in concentrations as high as 0.75 ppm did not alter performance to either visual or auditory tasks. When the ratio of signals to non-signals was increased, a deficit in performance beyond the normal vigilance decline was observed during the 0.75 ppm O3 exposure. No changes in false positive responses occurred. The results were interpreted within the framework of an arousal hypothesis, suggesting that high concentrations of O3 may produce overarousal.