Numerous reports link oxidative stress to particulate matter (PM)-induced adverse health effects. Increasing evidence is being collected that reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress are involved in PM-mediated injury. The physical characteristics and the chemical composition of PM play a key role in reactive oxygen species generation in vitro and in vivo. According to the hierarchical oxidative stress hypothesis, antioxidant phase II enzymes protect against PM-induced inflammation and cytotoxicity. This concept is useful in understanding PM-induced disease models, susceptibility, and biomaker development to access exposures outcomes and is useful for developing therapeutic intervention in PM-induced adverse health effects.