Exposure to Ozone Inhalation

• Welding
• Water Treatment
• Pulp Paper Bleaching: exposure may also involve concomitant exposure to chlorine dioxide

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Physiology of Ozone Inhalation

• Ozone Inhalation
  • Low Water Solubility: may result in longer exposure and delayed injury to bronchioles and alveoli
• Increased Airway Epithelial Permeability
• Inflammatory cell influx
  • Neutrophils play a major role in the airway hyperreactivity following ozone exposure
  • Injury to alveolar macrophages may occur: increases risk of subsequent infection
• Atropine prevents the increased airway resistance after experimental ozone exposure

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Diagnosis of Ozone Inhalation

• FOB: may be necessary to rule out airway injury

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Clinical Manifestations of Ozone Inhalation

(delayed onset of pulmonary injury -> symptoms may occur later)

• Acute or Chronic Bronchitis (see Cough, [[Cough]] and Obstructive Lung Disease, [[Obstructive Lung Disease]]): with increased bronchial reactivity
• Bronchiolitis Obliterans (see Bronchiolitis Obliterans, [[Bronchiolitis Obliterans]])
• Acute Lung Injury-ARDS (see Acute Lung Injury-ARDS, [[Acute Lung Injury-ARDS]])

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Treatment of Ozone Inhalation

• Steroids: may be benficial in acute lung injury, but unproven

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References

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