Ozone and Your Health: The Symptoms

Ozone

The Symptoms

How does ozone affect my health?

There is lots of good, scientific research concerning the effect of ozone on people. Ozone can affect your lungs and respiratory system in several ways.

Ozone can irritate your respiratory system. This might come in the form of coughing or an uncomfortable feeling in your chest. Symptoms may last a few hours after exposure.
Ozone can impair your ability to breathe. You may not be able to breathe in as much as air as you are normally able to. Your breathing might be more rapid and shallow.
Ozone can aggravate asthma. Doctors report that high ozone levels result in a greater number of asthma attacks. That's because asthmatics are more greatly affected by the irritant. Ozone also makes you more sensitive to allergens that cause asthma attacks. Ozone can also aggravate chronic lung diseases like emphysema and bronchitis.
Ozone can inflame and damage the lining of your lungs. Ozone can damage the cells that line your lungs. Eventually, these damaged cells are replaced. But, repeated damage may result in permanent problems.

These are all short-term health effects. Scientists are researching ozone's long-term effects. There is a concern that the developing lungs of children repeatedly exposed to high levels of ozone may be damaged. Some studies in animals suggest that ozone may also harm the ability to fight off respiratory infections.

Who is most likely to be harmed by ozone?

Children, adults who are active outdoors, and people with respiratory diseases are most likely to be harmed by high levels of ozone. Some people who don't fall into any of these categories are apparently more sensitive to ozone and also suffer problems.

What are the symptoms of ozone exposure?

You may cough or have impaired or painful breathing. People with emphysema or bronchitis may see a worsening of symptoms.

Are there always symptoms from exposure to ozone?

No. Ozone damage can occur without any noticeable signs. People who live in areas where ozone levels are frequently high may find that their initial symptoms go away over time, particularly when exposure to high ozone levels continues for several days. Ozone continues to cause lung damage even when the symptoms have disappeared. The best way to protect your health is to find out when ozone levels are elevated in your area and take simple precautions to minimize exposure even when you do not feel obvious symptoms.

What are the health effects that are associated with the different levels of the Air Quality Index?

Air Quality	Health Effects
Good AQI: 0-50 (Green)	No health effects are expected.
Moderate AQI: 51-100 (Yellow)	What are the possible health effects? Unusually sensitive people (active children and adults, people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, and others who are unusually susceptible) should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. What can I do to protect my health? When ozone levels are in the moderate range, consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. if you are unusually sensitive to ozone.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI: 101-150 (Orange)	What are the possible health effects? If you are a member of a sensitive group, you may experience respiratory symptoms (such as coughing or pain when taking a deep breath) and reduced lung function, which can cause some breathing discomfort. What can I do to protect my health? If you are a member of a sensitive group, limit prolonged outdoor exertion. In general, you can protect your health by reducing how long or how strenuously you exert yourself outdoors and by planning outdoor activities when ozone levels are lower (usually in the early morning or evening). You can check with your State air agency to find out about current or predicted ozone levels in your location. This information on ozone levels is available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/airnow/.
Unhealthy AQI: 151-200 (Red)	What are the possible health effects? At this level, anyone could experience respiratory effects. If you are a member of a sensitive group, you have a higher chance of experiencing respiratory symptoms (such as aggravated cough or pain when taking a deep breath), and reduced lung function, which can cause some breathing difficulty. What can I do to protect my health? If you are a member of a sensitive group, avoid prolonged outdoor exertion. Everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Plan outdoor activities when ozone levels are lower (usually in the early morning or evening) You can check with your State air agency to find out about current or predicted ozone levels in your location. This information on ozone levels is available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/airnow/.
Very Unhealthy AQI: 201-300 (Purple)	Sensitive and healthy individuals likely to experience moderate to severe effects like cough, painful and impaired breathing, and lung function Sensitive groups -avoid outdoor activity Healthy population -limit outdoor exertion -avoid outdoor exposure 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Page last updated on Tuesday, 25-Nov-03 10:17:47