A Health Risk Assessment for Use in Setting the U.S. Primary Ozone Standard

An assessment of the ozone-Induced acute pulmonary health risks associated with attainment of three alternative 1-hour average ozone standards for up to ten U.S. cities is described.

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a U.S. assessment of the ozone-Induced acute pulmonary health risks associated with attainment of three alternative 1-hour average ozone standards: 0.12 ppm (current U.S. standard), 0.10 ppm, and 0.08 ppm. Risk results are presented for pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms 1n heavy exercisers, the group thought to be at highest risk to acute ozone exposure. To examine two alternative definitions of response adversity, ozone-Induced pulmonary function change 1s measured as FEV1 decrements of ≥10 and ≥20 percent; respiratory symptoms are characterized by cough, chest discomfort, or lower respiratory symptoms as a group, at two different severity levels–any (Including mild) and moderate/severe. Risk estimates are presented for up to ten U.S. cities: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Tacoma, and Washington, D.C.