a method and medicament for the inhibition of oxidants comprising administering a treatment effective amount of alkylaryl polyether alcohol polymers to a chemical or biologic system in need thereof . also , a method and medicament for mucociliary clearance , inhibition of cytokine production , and inhibition of interleukin - 8 production in cystic fibrosis patients . the method involves administering a treatment effective amount of alkylaryl polyether alcohol polymers to a chemical or biologic system in need thereof . the medicament is preferably administered by aerosolization into the mammalian respiratory system . the medicament may also be applied to the mammalian skin . preferably , the medicament includes a physiologically acceptable carrier which may be selected from the group consisting of physiologically buffered saline , isotonic saline , normal saline , petrolatum based ointments and u . s . p . cold cream .