The effects of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide on the experimentally induced allergic respiratory disorder in guinea pigs. I. The effect on sensitization with albumin through the airway.

Repeated 30-min exposures to more than 5 ppM 0/sub 3/, 70 ppM NO/sub 2/ or 330 ppM SO/sub 2/ enhanced sensitization with albumin via the respiratory airway in guinea pigs. The effect was local, as intraperitoneal introduction of albumin antigens had no effect. The effect may have been due to cessation of transport activities (longer residence) or change in epithelial permeability facilitating entry of antigens.