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Clean Air
Tue Oct 21, 2003
Listen in RealAudio 
Hi, I'm Bryan Yeaton, and this is The Weather Notebook's weekly show in our Global Climate
Change series.
Getting out in the fresh mountain air has always been considered good for both spirit and
health. But research is showing that "the air up there" may not be so healthful after
all.
A study by the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the Harvard
Medical School tested 766 adults hiking in New Hampshire's White Mountains, meanwhile
monitoring ozone levels both at the base, and from the top of Mount Washington, at 6,288
feet.
Hikers were surveyed in categories such as aerobic fitness, smoking history, respiratory
illness, duration of hike, and weight of backpack. All participants were between 18 and 65
years old.
The results were surprising. For every 50 parts per billion, or ppb, increase in ambient
ozone, the hikers experienced a 2.6 percent decline in Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV), and a
2.2 percent drop in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). Former smokers had a somewhat increased
effect, but for those with asthma or similar conditions, the deficit was four times as severe.
What makes the results even more surprising, is that average ozone levels during the test
period40 ppb were one-third of the EPA's quality standard for a one-hour exposure, and about
half the recommendation for an eight-hour exposure.
It is believed by scientists that much of this ozone is of anthropogenic origin. The study
focused on short-term consequences on the lungs; longer-term effects are not known.
So, don't be surprised if it's a little harder to breathe, next time you enjoy that pristine
mountain air.
The Weather Notebook's Global Climate Change series is funded in part by the New England
Science Center Collaborative. Regular support comes from Subaru of America and The National
Science Foundation.
Today's Links
AMC Research:
http://www.outdoors.org/research/airwater/airwater-hikerhealth.shtml
FEV:
http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/cache/-1449525248.htm
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