Exposure to irritants

Many irritative chemicals may cause non-specific hyper-responsitivity of the airways and skin. The number of irritating chemicals is very large, several thousands. The symptoms caused by exposure to irritants may resemble allergic symptoms. In addition, exposure to irritating substances (such as sulfur dioxide or solvent vapors) often triggers the symptoms in individuals with allergic asthma. 

Irritant contact dermatitis results from first-time exposures to irritating substances such as soaps, plants, cleaning solutions, or solvents. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs after an initial sensitivity and further exposure to allergenic substances, including poison ivy, latex, and certain types of metals. 

Exposure to irritating and lachrymatory agents produces immediate effects. 

Casualties will usually recover unassisted from exposure to irritating agents within 15 minutes after removal from the contaminated atmosphere. Most patients can be discharged safely. Rarely a patient with significant respiratory findings may merit admission. 

To avoid exposure to irritating fumes, the phosphorus pentachloride and oxychloride are, handled in the hood. The heating under reflux is also carried out in the. hood. 

Irritant-induced asthma usually occurs following a single or multiple accidental high-intensity exposures. Repetitive lower intensity exposures to irritants may also cause asthma (Balmes, 2002). Once asthma develops. 

Balmes, J. (2002). Occupational airways diseases from chronic low-level exposures to irritants. Clin. Chest Med. 23, 727-735. 

If the insult persists, hyperplasia (cell proliferation) proceeds and leads to an abnormal epithelium. Injury produced by chronic exposure to irritants such as SO2, NO2, O3, formaldehyde, and tobacco smoke includes undifferentiated basal cells (hyperplasia), squamous metaplasia, and goblet cell metaplasia. In practice, many irritants produce responses between mild and severe, and various combinations of degeneration, inflammation, and proliferation may be observed. 

Shortness of breath is often a consequence of exposure to chemical substances. Oxygen (see entry 252), can help relieve the problem, but it s always better to prevent exposure to irritants. See also www.the-abc-of-mcs.com under Water Oxygen. ... 

Irritant contact dermatitis is a public health problem. Skin exposure to irritants (e.g., water, detergents, and solvents) causes damage to the barrier and induces an inflammation, ultimately contact dermatitis.43 By combining microprobe analysis with other techniques it is possible to correlate physiological changes (e.g., barrier repair processes) with effects on the keratinocytes. In a series... 

Bronchoconstriction Constriction of the smooth muscle in airways in the lungs due to exposure to irritant chemicals or to an immunological reaction involving release of inflammatory mediators. 

In contrast to the well-defined effects of asphyxiant toxicants, the effects of exposure to irritants are much more complex. Incapacitating irritants and smoke can cause death indirectly by preventing escape from fire. Most irritant fire effluents produce signs and symptoms of both sensory and upper... 

Generally, workers exposed to 1-5 ppm do not report symptoms. Individuals with chronic respiratory, skin, or eye disease are at increased risk from -but-ylamine exposure. Chronic exposure to irritating levels of butylamines can cause symptoms and/or increase the severity of symptoms in people with preexisting conditions. 

Medina Ramon M, Zock JP, Kogevinas M, et al. Asthma, chronic bronchitis, and exposure to irritant agents in occupational domestic cleaning. Occup Environ Health 2005 62 598 606. 

Heavy exposure to irritants in industrial accidents causes pulmonary... 

Naumovski D, Pilovski G, Cibisev A, et al. 2001. Pulmonary injuries after exposure to irritative fumes of household cleaners. Toxicol Lett 123(Suppl l) 91-92. 

CHRONIC HEALTH RISKS reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), referring to asthma persisting after exposure to irritants persistence of respiratory symptoms and airway hyper-reactivity for at least 3 months symptoms simulating asthma, with cough, wheezing, and dyspnea prolonged exposure has been associated with allergic contact dermatitis repeated exposure to wood dust and other irritants has contributed to risk of sinonasal neoplasms (nasal cancer). 

A vast number of compounds produce irritant effects when inhaled in their gaseous form. The most common source of exposure to irritant gases is in industry, but significant exposures may occur in a variety of circumstances, such as after mixing cleaning agents at home, with smoke inhalation in stmclural fires, or after highway tanker spills. 

A. Acute exposure to irritant levels causes skin and upper respiratory tract toxicity. Burning eyes and skin, cough, and wheezing are common. Noncardio-genic pulmonary edema may occur with severe exposure. Symptoms may occur immediately with exposure or may occasionally be delayed several... 

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