Ozone and human blood.

Statistically significant changes (P less than .05) were observed in erythrocytes (RBC) and sera of young adult human males following a single short-term exposure to 0.50 ppm ozone (O3) for 2 3/4 hours. The RBC membrane fragility, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme activities were increased, while RBC acetylcholinesterase (AcChase) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were decreased. The RBC glutathione reductase (GSSRase) activities were not significantly altered. Serum GSSRase activity, however, was significantly decreased while serum vitamin E, and lipid peroxidation levels were significantly increased. These alterations tend to disappear gradually, but were still detectable two weeks following exposure.