Breathing 100% pure oxygen for more than 16 hours can lead to irreversible lung damage, damage to the retinas, and eventually death. At normal atmospheric pressure, prolonged exposure to pure oxygen overwhelms the body with reactive oxygen as it starts to damage cells and tissues in the lungs. As the oxygen toxicity intensifies, individuals may experience chest pain, coughing, and breathing difficulties, and their vision may deteriorate due to retinal damage. Continued exposure can lead to permanent damage, which in extreme cases can shut down vital organs and cause death.
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