The effect of ozone associated with summertime photochemical smog on the frequency of asthma visits to hospital emergency departments

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Environmental Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(05)80214-2· OSTI ID:7284288

Cody, R P ^[1]; Weisel, C P; Lioy, P J ^[2]; Birnbaum, G ^[3]

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1. Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ (United States)
2. Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ (United States) Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, NJ (United States)
3. Morristown Memorial Hospital, NJ (United States)

A retrospective study using ambient ozone, temperature, and other environmental variables and their effect on the frequency of hospital visits for asthma was conducted in New Jersey, an area that often exceeds the allowable national standard for ozone. Data on emergency department visits for asthma, bronchitis, and finger wounds (a nonrespiratory control) were analyzed for the period May through August for 1988 and 1989. Asthma visits were correlated with temperature while the correlation between asthma visits and ozone concentration was nonsignificant. However, when temperature was controlled for in a multiple regression analysis, a highly significant relationship between asthma visits and ozone concentration was identified. Between 13 and 15% of the variability of the asthma visits and ozone concentration was identified. Between 13 and 15% of the variability of the asthma visits was explained in the regression model by temperature and ambient ozone levels. This association, when compared to similar studies in Canada, shows the contribution of ozone to asthma admissions to be stronger in areas with higher ozone concentrations. Thus, among regions with periodic accumulations of ozone in the ambient atmosphere, an exposure-response relationship may be discernible. This supports the need to attain air quality standards for ozone to protect individuals in the general population from the adverse health effects caused by ambient ozone exposure. 21 refs., 1 fig., 6 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 7284288
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (United States), Vol. 58:2; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ASTHMA
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
OZONE
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
AIR QUALITY
SMOG
DISEASES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
550900 - Pathology