Exacerbation of asthma. Ozone makes people more sensitive to allergens. When the pollutant reaches high levels, more asthmatics have attacks, requiring a doctor's attention, or use of additional medication. Asthmatics are also severely affected by the reduced lung function and irritation that ozone causes in the respiratory system. Inflammation and damage of lung tissue.
Ozone damages the cells that line the air spaces in the lung.
Affected cells are replaced after a few days, but if damage occurs repeatedly, the lung may change permanently and possibly cause long-term health effects and lower quality of life. Dr. Hanania, who is also director of Baylor's Asthma Clinical Research Center, says groups most at risk to harmful ozone exposure are children and adults who engage in vigorous outdoor activities, people with respiratory diseases such as asthma and those with unusual susceptibility to ozone. If the index falls in the good category, no health impacts are expected. The moderate category warns unusually sensitive people to consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. The unhealthy for sensitive groups category alerts active children and adults and people with respiratory disease to limit prolonged exertion.