Within a few days, the damaged cells are replaced and the old cells are shed much in the way your skin peels after a sunburn. Ozone may aggravate chronic lung diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis and reduce the immune system s ability to fight off bacterial infections in the respiratory system. Ozone may cause permanent lung damage. Repeated short-term ozone damage to children s developing lungs may lead to reduced lung function in adulthood. In adults, ozone exposure may accelerate the natural decline in lung function that occurs as part of the normal aging process.
Ozone can inflame the lung s lining.