Uptake and fate of ozone in the respiratory tract

Ozone (O3) is a ubiquitous pollutant with an array of established effects following acute and chronic exposure. Absorption of O3 occurs in all regions of the respiratory tract, but injury to the pulmonary region appears to be of greatest concern because of the susceptibility of this region to the development of chronic disease. Processes that affect the uptake and transport of O3 and available dosimetry models are briefly reviewed prior to discussing recent experimental dosimetry data in laboratory animals and humans. Dosimetry model predictions are compared with experimental data, and an example is provided that illustrates the potential for such models to contribute to our understanding of toxicological results.