Pulmonary and Inflammatory Responses Following Exposure to a Low Concentration of Ozone or Clean Air (LOCONOZ2)

January 9, 2023 updated by: Martin W. Case

Pulmonary and Inflammatory Responses Following Exposure to a Low Concentration of Ozone or Clean Air for 6.6 Hours With Moderate Exercise in Healthy Young Adults

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study is to measure pulmonary function, symptoms, and pulmonary inflammatory responses in healthy young adults during and immediately after exposure to a low concentration of ozone (0.070 ppm) or clean air for 6.6 hours while undergoing moderate intermittent exercise. This concentration is the current EPA NAAQS standard for ozone.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Potential health effects of ozone have been extensively studied over decades at various levels of exposure concentration and for varying time periods in young healthy adult subjects. Effects of ozone have been well documented particularly for decrements of lung function and an influx of neutrophils and other markers of pulmonary inflammation. The majority of those studies were done at ozone concentrations between 0.12 and 0.40 ppm, considerably higher than the current EPA NAAQS ozone standard of 0.070 ppm, and at exposure durations of two hours, even though the current standard is an 8-hour standard. However, a small number of studies have assessed changes in lung function following exposure to low levels of ozone for several hours. These latter studies have shown that exposure to ozone for 6.6 hours at concentrations between 0.06 and 0.08 ppm causes mild reversible decrements in lung function (1.7-10%) as measured by forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expired volume at 1 s (FEV1) immediately after exposure in healthy young adults. In addition, in one study an increase in ozone-induced neutrophils was seen in induced sputum following exposure to 0.06 ppm ozone (8) and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) following exposure to 0.08 ppm ozone (9). The EPA is considering whether the current ozone NAAQS standard at 0.070 is protective and has asked EPA researchers to conduct a study similar to those done at 0.06 and 0.08 ppm.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
60

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • North Carolina
      • Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27599-7315
        • Recruiting
        • EPA Human Studies Facility
        • Contact:
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Ana Rappold, Ph.D.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 35 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Healthy men and women between 18 and 35 years of age.
  2. Physical conditions allowing sustained moderate exercise for 6.6 hours.

  3. Normal lung function (NHANES III):

    1. FVC > 80 % of that predicted for gender, ethnicity, age and height.
    2. FEV1 > 80 % of that predicted for gender, ethnicity, age and height.
    3. FEV1/FVC ratio > 80 % of predicted values
  4. Oxygen saturation > 94 %.
  5. Total symptom Score no greater than 20 (out of a possible 60-see accompanying score sheet) with a value no greater than 3 for any one score. No more than one score may be equal to 3.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Individuals with a diagnosis of COVID-19 and/or hospitalized for COVID-19.
  2. Individuals who are not "up to date," [meaning a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible with their COVID vaccines as defined by the CDC.]
  3. A history of acute and chronic cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes,rheumatologic diseases, immunodeficiency state.
  4. An acute respiratory illness within 4 weeks.
  5. Subjects who are asthmatic or have a history of asthma.
  6. Allergic to chemical vapors or gases.
  7. Any allergic symptoms during the time of participation in the study
  8. Female subjects who are currently pregnant, attempting to become pregnant or breastfeeding
  9. Subjects currently taking mega doses of vitamins and supplements, homeopathic/naturopathic medicines or medications which may impact the results of the ozone challenge or interfere with any other medications potentially used in the study (to include systemic steroids and beta blockers). Medications not specifically mentioned here may be reviewed by the investigators prior to a subject's inclusion in the study.
  10. Current and past smokers within 2 years, or subjects with a smoking history of at least a pack of cigarettes a day for more than 10 years over your lifetime. This includes vaping, hookah,and e-cigarettes.
  11. Uncontrolled hypertension (> 140 systolic, > 90 diastolic). Blood pressure readings equal to or greater that 140 Systolic and equal to or greater that 90 diastolic.
  12. Subjects who do not understand or speak English
  13. Unspecified illnesses, which in the judgment of the investigator might increase the risk associated with ozone inhalation challenge or exercise, will be a basis for exclusion.

Temporary exclusion criteria:

  1. Individuals who have had an acute respiratory illness within 4 weeks.
  2. Individuals who have active allergies.
  3. Individuals that have engaged in strenuous exercise within 24 hours of any study visit.
  4. Individuals unable to avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours prior to all study visits.
  5. Individuals who have been exposed to smoke and fumes for 24 hours before all visits.
  6. Individuals that have used an ozone-based home air purifier for 24 hours before all visits.
  7. Individuals that have eaten or drank anything for 2 hours prior to the sputum training/screening day visit.
  8. Individuals should avoid caffeine for 12 hours prior to all study visits.
  9. Individuals should refrain from all over the counter anti-inflammatory agents including those for allergies, and anti-inflammatory drugs or antioxidants for a period of one week prior to the train and to the exposure.

  10. Individuals that have been exposed to or have consumed any agent or have undertaken any activity within 24 hours of any study visit that the investigators believe may compromise the results of the study.

    -

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: 0.070 ppm ozone concentration
Exposure to 0.070 ppm ozone for 6.6 hours while performing moderate intermittent exercise.
Biological: 0.070 ppm ozone concentration
The concentration of ozone a subject will randomly receive on a visit for 6.6 hours in a controlled atmospheric chamber while performing moderate intermittent exercise.
Experimental: Clean air (0.0 ppm ozone)
Exposure to clean air (0.0 ppm ozone) for 6.6 hours while performing moderate intermittent exercise.
Biological: Clean air (0.0 ppm ozone)
Same subject will randomly receive clean air on another visit separated by at least one week for 6.6 hours in the same controlled atmospheric chamber while performing moderate intermittent exercise.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
FVC
Time Frame: measured (pre) before starting 6.6 hours of exercise
forced vital capacity
measured (pre) before starting 6.6 hours of exercise
Change in FVC
Time Frame: change measured (post) immediately after 6.6 hours of exercise
change in forced vital capacity
change measured (post) immediately after 6.6 hours of exercise
FEV1
Time Frame: measured (pre) before starting 6.6 hours of exercise
forced expiratory volume in 1 second
measured (pre) before starting 6.6 hours of exercise
Change in FEV1
Time Frame: change measured (post) immediately after 6.6 hours of exercise
change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second
change measured (post) immediately after 6.6 hours of exercise

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
% neutrophils collected by induced sputum
Time Frame: baseline: training/qualification day
Subjects will breathe a hypertonic saline solution from an ultrasonic nebulizer through a mouthpiece at saline concentrations of 3%, 4%, and 5%. After each inhalation period subjects be asked to cough up the expectorate in a sterile cup for analysis of neutrophil cells influx
baseline: training/qualification day
change in % neutrophils collected by induced sputum
Time Frame: 18 hours post exposure
Subjects will breathe a hypertonic saline solution from an ultrasonic nebulizer through a mouthpiece at saline concentrations of 3%, 4%, and 5%. After each inhalation period subjects be asked to cough up the expectorate in a sterile cup for analysis/quantitation of neutrophil cells influx
18 hours post exposure

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Martin W. Case

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
University of North Carolina

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Andy Ghio, M.D., EPA/ORD/CPHEA/PHITD/CRB

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 13, 2022

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
February 1, 2024

Study Completion (Anticipated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
February 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
December 16, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 9, 2023

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 11, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
January 11, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 9, 2023

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
January 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • IRB# 21-3193

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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