Airborne irritants

Transfers of materials across tissue surfaces exposed to the atmosphere are critical to life processes for humans, other animals, and plants. Thus, living things are particularly susceptible to harm by airborne irritants or toxins. The risk of such harm has been a major motivation for the development of techniques for the analysis of atmospheric dispersion. 

Besides dead fish, which pose enormous economic and sanitation problems, there is an airborne irritant which burns the conjunctivae and mucous membranes and induces persistent non-productive coughing and sneezingC, ). This irritation is thought to arise from particles of the toxic organism entrapped in seaspray ( 3). ... 

White Phosphorus Smoke. Based on the limited information on the toxicity of airborne white phosphorus, the respiratory tract appears to be the primary site of toxicity. However, similar respiratory tract effects have been observed following exposure to other airborne irritants. 

Other airborne irritants, as well as ore dust and diesel exhaust, may act synergistically with radon and radon daughters to increase the incidence of adverse health effects. Epidemiological studies report the presence of other airborne irritants in mining environments, including arsenic, hexavalent chromium, nickel, cobalt (Sevc et al. 1984), serpentine (Radford and Renard 1984), iron ore dust (Damber and Larsson 1982 Ediing and Axelson 1983 Radford and Renard 1984), and diesel exhaust (Damber and Larsson 1982 Sevc et al. 1984). 

Table 1. Irritants that cause airborne-irritant contact dermatitis (Dooms-Goossens et al. 1986)...

Hafner J, Riiegger M, Kralicek P, Eisner P (1995) Airborne irritant contact dermatitis from metal dust adhering to semisynthetic working suits. Contact Dermatitis 32 285-288 Henriksen H (1982) Selection of materials for protective gloves. Polymer membranes for protection against contact with epoxy preparations. Danish Directorate of Labour Inspection Services, Copenhagen... 

Direct, indirect (through clothing) or airborne (irritant contact dermatitis, ICD) followed by ... 

Lachapelle JM (1986) Industrial airborne irritant or allergic contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 14 137-145 Lachapelle JM, Frimat P, Tennestedt D, et al. (1992) Dermatoses aeroportees. In Lachapelle JM, Frimat P, Tennestedt D, et al. (eds) Dermatologie Professionelle et de Tenvironment. Masson, Paris, pp 142-143... 

Occupational airborne irritant (frictional and/or chemical) contact dermatitis... 

Occupational Airborne Irritant (Frictional and/or Chemical) Contact Dermatitis... 

Airborne Irritant Contact Dermatitis Due to Dust Particles... 

Procedures useful in the diagnosis of irritant occupational airborne contact dermatitis. Some procedures are available that permit one to evaluate the potential accountability of some offending agents for provoking airborne irritancy of the skin. This approach cannot be achieved without the collaboration of occupational physicians and/or safety officers. It also requires laboratory equipment and dermatological expertise in the field. 

Lachapelle JM, Mahmoud G, Vanherle R (1984) Anhydrite dermatitis in coal mines an airborne irritant reaction assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry. Contact Dermatitis 11 188-189... 

The irritancy of amino plastic is mainly due to formaldehyde, which can be released from plastics. Nowadays, resins used in textiles release lower levels of free formaldehyde than previously (Belsito 1993). Occupational irritant contact dermatitis from fiber board containing urea-formaldehyde resin has been reported (Vale and Rycroft 1988). Dust from urea-formaldehyde insulating foam has caused airborne irritancy (Dooms-Goossens et al. 1986). 

Airborne irritant contact dermatitis caused by volatile ingredients released into the air by NCR... 

Krogsrud NE, Larsen Al (1997) Airborne irritant contact dermatitis from benzalkonium chloride. Contact Dermatitis 36 112... 

Large amounts of smoke from oil slick burning can result in oil rain. The formation and possible sinking of extremely viscous and dense residues can damage the sea bed and its inhabitants. The viscous residue may also be transported to shorelines and beaches by ocean tides or currents. Airborne irritants and possibility of secondary fire are sources of concern when combustion has to be carried out close to residential areas. Carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are common toxic compounds emitted while burning oil on water. 

A variety of techniques have been used to make CS usable as an airborne irritant. It may be dispersed in droplet form dissolved into an organic solvent, and can be found as a powder or in aerosoUsed form. It can also be prepared in grenade or pressurised canister form for widespread dispersion. 

---