A comparison of the concentration‐response effects of inhaled ozone (O3) and phosgene (COCI2) in different species of laboratory animals was made in order to better understand the influence of the choice of species in inhalation toxicity studies. The effect of 4‐h exposures to ozone at concentrations of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ppm, and to COCI2and 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 ppm was determined in rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, and mice. Lavage fluid protein (LFP) accumulation 18–20 h after exposure was used as the indicator of O3‐ and COCI2‐induced pulmonary edema. All species had similar basal levels of LFP (250–350 mg/ml) when a volume of saline that approximated the total lung capacity was used to lavage the collapsed lungs. Ozone effects were most marked in guinea pigs, which showed significant effects at 0.2 ppm and above. Mice, hamsters, and rats showed effects at 1.0 ppm O3and above, while rabbits responded only at 2.0 ppm O3. Phosgene similarly affected mice, hamsters, and rats at 0.2 ppm and above, while guinea pigs and rabbits were affected at 0.5 ppm and above. Percent recovery of lavage fluid varied significantly between species, guinea pigs having lower recovery than other species with both gases. Lavage fluid recovery was lower following exposure to higher levels of O3but not COCI2. Results of this study indicate that significant species differences are seen in the response to low levels of O3and COCI2. These differences do not appear to be related in a simple manner to body weight.