Skin damage by tropospheric ozone

Abstract

Tropospheric (ground level) ozone (O₃) is a secondary pollutant, emerging from other pollutants in the sunshine. Exposure to O₃ correlates with higher pulmonary and cardiovascular mortality and affects reproductive health and the central nervous system acutely and chronically. Skin might be a potentially overlooked target organ of ambient O₃. The experimental evidence suggests a positive correlation of O₃ exposure with oxidative damage, impaired antioxidant defence and proinflammatory response in the skin. In time series studies it was observed that acute rises in O₃ levels correlated with seeking medical help for skin conditions; however, whether these findings are specific to O₃, is not yet clear. There is preliminary epidemiological evidence that long-term exposure to O₃ is associated with premature skin aging. This finding was independent of co-exposure to other environmental factors affecting skin (e.g. ultraviolet radiation and air pollution). As concentrations of O₃ are rising in many regions of the world, adverse cutaneous effects of O₃ present a relevant public health concern.

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