Chronic Exposure to SO 2 : Possible Effects at the Cellular Level

Abstract
A short review of SO2 interactions with tissue culture cells and rabbit plasma proteins is presented. Possible modes of elimination of plasma sulfonates via sulfite oxidation involving enzymes as well as free radical intermediates are discussed. Potential consequences of the free radical formation are evaluated in connection with recent reports of DNA breakage and lipid peroxidation produced by sulfite.