A very qualitative term which includes any and all trace gases which have a greater
oxidation potential than oxygen (for example, ozone, peroxyacetyl nitrate, hydrogen peroxide,
organic
peroxides,
NO3, etc.). It is recommended that alternative, more definitive terms be used which define
the specific oxidant of interest whenever possible.
Source:
PAC, 1990, 62, 2167
(Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990))
on page 2204