Health Effects of Ozone

Breathless: Estimated Number of ER Admissions

Source: BREATHLESS: Ambient Ozone Exposure and Emergency Hospital Admissions and Emergency Room Visits for Respiratory Problems in 13 US Cities, Harvard School of Public Health, June 1996

In this study, St. Louis was one of 13 cities that ER visits were compared to ozone levels. The study concluded that there is a significant increase of respiratory related ER visitations on days of high air pollution in St. Louis. A 7.3% increase on average. However, this is not the entire story. For every ER visit there are many more people affected in terms of breathing problems, asthma attacks, doctor visits ect. (See Summary)

About Air Pollution Subcategories

Air Pollution Basics
• What is Ozone?
• Sources of Ozone
• Ozone Formation

Air Quality Facts

Health Effects of Ozone
• St. Louis Population with
Lung Disease
• How Healthy Adults are
Affected by Ozone
• Tips for Exercisers
• Ozone & Hospital
Admissions

Particulate Matter

Local Air Quality
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Air Quality Index

Air Quality Data