Toxic Effects of Smog and Its Constituents to Humans

In addition to increased mortality, human exposure to ozone in smog decreases pulmonary functions and initiates inflammatory processes in the lung. The biochemical basis of these effects is not very well established. One possible mechanism is attack by ozone on endogenous lipids that act as surfactants in the lung. 

Some of the more adverse health effects of photochemical smog are the result of inhalation of particles in the smog aerosol. The health effects of inhaled particles were discussed in Section 7.2. 

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