OxyFile #5

 Ozone Selectively Inhibits Growth of Human Cancer Cells

 Science Vol. 209, 22 Aug 1980, pp. 931-933

 Abstract:

 The growth of human cancer cells from lung, breast, and uterine 
 tumours was selectively inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by 
 ozone at 0.3 to 0.8 part per million of ozone in ambient air 
 during 8 days of culture.  Human lung diploid fibroblasts served 
 as noncancerous control cells.  The presence of ozone at 0.3 to 
 0.5 part per million inhibited cancer cell growth 40 and 60 
 percent, respectively.  The non-cancerous lung cells were 
 unaffected at these levels.  Exposure to ozone at 0.8 part per 
 million inhibited cancer cell growth more than 90 percent and 
 control cell growth less than 50 percent.  Evidently, the 
 mechanisms for defence against ozone damage are impaired in 
 human cancer cells.

 24 April 1980; revised 11 June 1980.