Washington, D.C. (January 7, 2011)—

A new study published online today in the American Journal of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine adds the strongest evidence yet that levels of ozone smog air pollution found throughout the United States pose widespread harm to public health.

According to the study, conducted by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, ozone, the major component of smog, damaged the lung tissues of healthy young adults exposed in a laboratory setting despite being at levels well below what is currently considered safe.  This new information provides a strong warning that people with asthma or other lung diseases, including children and older adults, face even greater health threats from this most common air pollutant.

The American Lung Association has called on the EPA to strengthen the national air quality standards for ozone pollution to the most protective limit currently under review, 60 parts per billion. That level is the same that triggered a harmful response in the lungs of healthy young adults in the study.

“This study provides even greater evidence for a stronger ozone standard to protect the public from the nation’s most widespread air pollutant,” said Norman H. Edelman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of the American Lung Association. “Ozone today remains a threat that we need all the tools in the Clean Air Act to combat.”

Ozone is an invisible gas made of three oxygen atoms (O3). Ozone reacts chemically with internal body tissues, such as those in the lung, irritating and inflaming the respiratory system. Ozone causes shortness of breath, chest pain inflammation of the lung lining, wheezing and coughing, and increased risk of asthma attacks, need for medical treatment and for hospitalization for people with lung diseases. Ozone also increases the risk of early death. People most at risk include children, senior citizens, those with lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as those who work or exercise outdoors.

The study was the first test of ozone at these levels in a setting that controlled for the complications from other pollutants.

“Tests like this are considered the ‘gold standard’ of trials, because they can specifically control the exposures under study.  Finding harmful effects on healthy young adults indicates that children, older adults or people with lung disease—who aren’t usually in such tests—would mostly likely face even greater harm and harm at lower levels,” Dr. Edelman continued.

The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set national air quality standards at levels that protect the public from harmful air pollutants including an “adequate margin of safety.” The American Lung Association published an ad in POLITICO today reminding Congress that the Clean Air Act has just concluded its 40th year providing that protection.

“Thanks to the Clean Air Act, we have less ozone air pollution now than we’ve ever had in the past 40 years,” said Dr. Edelman. “But this study shows clearly that we still have a long way to go to provide air quality that truly protects public health.”

The Lung Association noted the biggest clean air events of 2010 with a report online last week, calling for EPA to strengthen the ozone national air quality standard.

About the American Lung Association
Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a Charity Navigator Four Star Charity and holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.LungUSA.org.