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Hypoxia 2009 Speakers
John Semple

Email: John.Semple@wchospital.ca
Talk Title: Ozone on Mount Everest: Implications for Mountaineering
Session: Evening Presentation
Abstract: Ozone is a recognized global risk to human health and exposure to elevated levels can cause impairment of lung function. Dr Semple will present the results of atmospheric and ozone studies performed on Mount Everest during May, 2005. Surface ozone concentrations were recorded at different elevations on the Tibetan (North) side from Base Camp (5,676m) to the summit (8,848m) and ranged as high as 70 ppb. Values were correlated with satellite imaging analysis. Dr Semple will discuss the likely sources, the first being stratospheric in origin and the result of weather systems associated with the arrival of the Asian monsoon and the second being long distance transport of the pollution from the Nepal, Indian subcontinent and South East Asia. These ozone values on the upper slopes of Mount Everest are similar to levels found in photochemical smog in busy industrialized cities. Exposure to these elevated ozone levels in the high Himalaya have implications for human health. Occupational health issues arise for remote Sherpa communities who are dependent on employment access to this extreme environment on Mount Everest.

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