Abstract

Air pollution is often associated with hazy skies and public health warnings, but few are aware that one of its most harmful components—ozone (O₃)—quietly and persistently damages our lungs. A review by Russo et al. (2025) sheds new light on how this invisible pollutant injures lung tissue and triggers inflammation, playing a pivotal role in the development of asthma, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).