Effects of Intermittent Ozone Exposure on Peak Expiratory Flow and Respiratory Symptoms Among Asthmatic Children in Mexico City

In a panel study of Mexican children (5-13 y of age) with mild asthma, the authors studied the relationship between ozone exposure and the course of childhood asthma. Decrements in peak expiratory flow rate were associated with ozone, and respiratory symptoms were associated with both ozone level and ambient particulate matter (< 10 microm) level. After the authors adjusted for minimum temperature and autocorrelation in the data, they determined that an increase of 50 ppb in a daily ozone 1-h maximum was related to an 8% increase in cough (95% confidence interval = 2, 15); a 24% increase in phlegm (95% confidence interval = 13, 35); and an 11% increase in low respiratory symptoms index (95% confidence interval = 5, 19). The authors concluded that children with mild asthma who resided in the south of Mexico City were affected adversely by the high ozone ambient levels observed in this area.