Exposure of the lung to concentrations of ozone found in ambient air is known to cause
toxicity to the epithelial cells of the lung. Because of the chemical reactivity of ozone, it likely
reacts with target molecules in pulmonary surfactant, a lipid-rich material that lines the
epithelial cells in the airways. Phospholipids containing unsaturated fatty acyl groups and
cholesterol would be susceptible to attack by ozone, which may lead to the formation of
cytotoxic products. Whereas free radicalderived oxidized cholesterol products have been …