ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines a few of the myriad reactions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone which take place in the atmosphere and in biological systems. It discusses resulting endpoints and clinical symptoms in relation to these oxidizing environmental pollutants. Free radicals induced by ozone can be derived from interaction with sulfhydryls and oxidative decomposition of unsaturated fatty acids. Oxidative damage has also been detected by the production of pentane in the breath of rats after exposure to 1 ppm ozone. The radiomimetic properties of ozone implicate lipid peroxidation as the mechanism of toxicity for the atmospheric oxidant. Sulfur dioxide promotes lysis of protein disulfides. The dominant theory for the action of nitrogen dioxide on biological systems is the nitrogen dioxide-initiated peroxidation of lipids which damage membranes. Nitrogen dioxide is the initiator of free radical reactions. The production of nitrogen dioxide from ozone and nitric oxide completes a cyclic reaction.
