When Phorbol Myristate Acetate (PMA) was used to activate neutrophils it was found that the activated neutrophils could produce chemiluminescence (CL), whereas oxygen radicals scavengers, superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase showed a dose-dependent inhibition of CL production. SOD at 625 μg/ml concentration produced 95% inhibition; catalase at 3 mg/ml concentration produced 70% inhibition. These results indicated that the PMA-activated neutrophils may enhance the release of oxygen radicals. Further, the results might also explain why PMA omit causes experimental adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and why SOD and catalase omit attenuate lung damage in several ARDS models.