We have recently reported that phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) induces extensive DNA strand break damage in human peripheral blood leukocytes. The mechanism of action involves superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide which are generated by phagocytes during the "respiratory burst." In this report, we describe the effect of various inhibitors and scavengers on PMA-induced DNA damage. Azide and cyanide greatly increased the level of damage; sulfhydryl compounds (glutathione, cysteine, and cysteamine) and ascorbate markedly decreased the level of damage. Hydroxyl radical scavengers such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and glycerol also decreased the level of damage but apparently did so by inhibiting the respiratory burst. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) increased the level of DNA damage at low concentrations (less than 1 mM), but decreased DNA damage at greater than or equal to 1 mM. The results are consistent with a mechanism involving superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, but the precise reaction (free radical or enzymatic) responsible for DNA strand breakage has not been determined. The PMA-stimulated phagocyte is an interesting model system for looking at "active oxygen" mediated DNA damage and factors which influence it.