Definition

Noun: - An illness that can affect people exposed to high concentrations of ozone, typically encountered in the cabin air of high-altitude aircraft. Symptoms include drowsiness, headache, chest pain, and itchiness.

Usage

This is a specific medical condition related to a particular environmental exposure. It is used in medical, aviation, and occupational health contexts. - Early jet aircraft sometimes had poor filtration, leading to occasional cases of ozone sickness among passengers and crew. - The symptoms of ozone sickness can resemble those of mild hypoxia or other ailments.

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily historical, as modern aircraft are equipped with filters (catalytic converters) that effectively remove ozone from cabin air, making this condition rare today.

Variants and Related Words

• Ozone (n): A form of oxygen (O₃) that is a gas at atmospheric pressure. In the upper atmosphere, it protects life from ultraviolet radiation, but at ground level, it is an air pollutant and respiratory irritant.
• Aerotoxic syndrome (n): A controversial term for a claimed illness allegedly caused by exposure to contaminated air in aircraft cabins, distinct from ozone sickness.

Synonyms

• There is no direct common synonym. It may be described as "ozone-induced illness" or "ozone exposure symptoms."

Related Phrases

• Ozone layer (n): A region of Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone, which absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation.
• Ozone hole (n): A seasonal thinning of the ozone layer over the polar regions.

Noun

1. illness that can occur to persons exposed to ozone in high-altitude aircraft; characterized by sleepiness and headache and chest pains and itchiness