Qingyu Meng, Ph.D.

Ozone can cause serious adverse respiratory effects, including increased risk of asthma attack, lung inflammation, respiratory infection, and premature death. However, ozone is not the only pollutant people are exposed to on a daily basis. Dr. Meng will examine whether co-existing pollutants such as acidic particles, temperature and humidity have an effect on the association between ozone exposure and lung injury symptoms and lung disease severity. Dr. Meng expects to find that ozone-induced lung injury becomes more severe when people are simultaneously exposed to high concentrations of acidic particles or cold/dry air. The results of the study can contribute to a better understanding of the health effects associated with multiple air pollutant exposures.