Spontaneous pneumothorax and ozone levels: is there a relation?

Abstract

Abstract Study objectives Although links between meteorological conditions and spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) have been proposed, the reports are controversial. In this study ozone levels, which are known to have some adverse effects on lung tissues, were investigated as a potential triggering factor of SP. At present there is not sufficient information about the effects of ozone on SP. Methods Of a total 79 pneumothorax patients recruited for the study, 21 secondary pneumothorax cases were excluded. In the remaining 58 SP patients, meteorological data at the time of SP occurrence were recorded. Results The number of SP patients was higher in spring than in the other seasons (p Conclusions The number of SP patients increases in spring when ozone levels are highest. Ozone is known to affect alveolar cells and cause interstitial edema. Ozone causes damage to the lung interstitium by way of oxidative stress. Rupture of unrecognized underlying blebs/bullae has been proposed as a cause of SP. Increased levels of ozone may be a triggering factor for these ruptures.

Keywords

• Ozone
• seasonality
• spontaneous pneumothorax