What condition can be caused by breathing pure oxygen at high pressure?

Breathing pure oxygen at high pressure can lead to a condition known as oxygen toxicity. This phenomenon occurs because the elevated levels of oxygen can result in the production of highly reactive oxygen species, which can damage cellular structures and lead to various physiological disturbances.

Under normal conditions, the body is equipped to handle a certain level of oxygen; however, when exposed to elevated pressures, the oxygen dissolves more readily into body fluids, and its potential for generating free radicals increases. These free radicals can cause oxidative damage to tissues, particularly in the central nervous system and the lungs. Symptoms of oxygen toxicity can range from mild effects, such as visual and auditory disturbances, to severe reactions, including seizures and pulmonary edema.

Understanding this mechanism helps clarify why oxygen toxicity is a serious risk in settings such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy or deep-sea diving, where individuals are exposed to pure oxygen at pressures greater than atmospheric levels.