Tissue trace elements and lung superoxide dismutase activity in mice exposed to ozone.

Adult male Swiss-Webster mice were continuously exposed to 1.2 ppm ozone (O3) for 5 days. Lung wet weight was increased 100% by the O3 exposure. Total lung zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) were significantly higher in the exposed mice. Changes in the metal concentrations in other tissue appeared to reflect more the nutritional status of the animal rather than extra-pulmonary effects of O3. Total lung Cu-Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase activity was also elevated by O3-exposure. These data suggest that the effects of ozone exposure on tissue trace element status are confined to the lung.