Mystery of how pollutant kills solved by study showing ozone stifles breathing. ... Ozone kills by hampering gas exchange in lungs. By Andy Coghlan. 17 April 2013 ...

Gas exchange happens in the alveoli in the lungs. During this process, oxygen enters the bloodstream while carbon dioxide is removed. In people with COPD, gas exchange is often impaired.

Ryhammer, P., Shekerdemian, L., Penny, D. et al. Effect of Intravenous Sildenafil on Pulmonary Hemodynamics and Gas Exchange in the Presence and Absence of Acute Lung Injury in Piglets.