Exercise and Air Pollution

Continued...

The long-term health effects of exposure to polluted air are not yet known. Preliminary studies suggest there may be some permanent reduction in lung function from high-level exposure. All of us can encourage coaches and race directors to schedule training and events at times to minimize ozone exposure. Dr. Gong at UCLA advises athletes not to exercise if the ozone concentration is .20 ppm or greater.

Other pollutants

Sulfur dioxide is produced by the combustion of sulfur-containing fuels (coal and oil), and affects asthmatics more than other people. Symptoms are worse in cold air, but pretreatment with inhaled bronchodilators (albuterol) or allergy modifiers (cromolyn) lessens the airflow restriction. These medications do not seem to help nonasthmatics.

Nitrogen dioxide from fuel combustion and cigarette smoking is a precursor to ozone and reacts with water to form nitrous acid (N02). It is responsible for the brown color and pungent odor of smog. The health standard is set at .05 ppm averaged over a year.

Exercise studies done at .5 - 1.0 ppm, mimicking high levels of outdoor pollution, have found only slight changes in lung function, and researchers have so far concluded that nitrogen dioxide is not dangerous for outdoor exercise.

However, concentrations of 1.0 ppm or higher in indoor settings produce respiratory dysfunction. High levels of nitrogen dioxide and outbreaks of respiratory illness have been reported in industrial settings and in indoor ice rinks. In the latter, the source was a malfunctioning engine of the ice resurfacer.

Polluted air can also contain a variety of particulates. These are visible as soot, dust or smoke. They contain airborne pollens, molds, sulfuric acid and lead. Asthmatics appear to be more sensitive to particulates; other people increase mucus production and may cough, but seem to have no significant short-term impairment of lung function. Long-term exposure, however, is very difficult to research, and its effects are generally not known.

More is known about carbon monoxide.

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Table of Contents

Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine

General Health
Nutrition
Exercise
Common Medical Problems
Dental Health
Emergency!
Infectious Disease
Sexual Health
Emotional Well-Being
Eating Disorders
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Environmental Health
Prevention