Nasal septum

Inhalation of dusts can cause metal fume fever (79,80), and ulceration or perforation of the nasal septum. Mild discomfort has been noted with workplace concentrations as low as 0.08 mg/m. The workplace standard (TLV) for copper dusts or mist is 1 mg/m and 0.2 mg/m for copper fume (81). 

FIGURE 5.15 Cross-section of human nasal turbinates at various positions along the airway. Distances indicated are from the nares. The medial surface in each cross-section represents the nasal septum. (Modified from Guilmette et al. )... 

Nasal cavity Airway passages between the nares and posterior termination of the nasal septum. 

In the posterior glands of the nasal septum and in the vomeronasal glands an odorant-binding protein (OBP-II), as expected, increases... 

Boehm N., Roos J. and Gasser B. (1994). LHRH-expressing cells in the nasal septum of human fetuses. Dev Br Res 82, 175-180. 

Bojsen-Mpller F. (1975). Demonstration of terminalis, olfactory, trigeminal and perivascular nerves in the rat nasal septum. J Comp Neurol 159, 245-256. 

Breathing high levels of chromium (VI) can cause irritation to the nose, including nosebleeds, ulcers, and holes in the nasal septum. Ingesting large amounts of chromium (VI) can cause stomach upset and ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver damage, and even death. Skin contact with certain chromium (VI) compounds can cause skin ulcers. Some people are extremely sensitive to... 

Cocaine does not penetrate the intact skin, but is readily absorbed from the mucus membranes, creating the need to snort it. This accounts for the ulceration of the nasal septum after cocaine has been snorted for long periods. 

The VNO of mammals consists of a pair of parallel tubes located above the palate on either side of the nasal septum (Fig. 5.9). The organ communicates with the outside by the nasopalatine duct, which, depending on the taxon, may open (a) to the mouth cavity via the incisive duct and incisive papilla (Fig. 5.10) (b) to the nasal cavity, as in alcelaphine antelopes, such as Topi, Damaliscus korrigum, and Coke s hartebeest, (Hart etal, 1988), and... 

The nose is usually the first site of contact in the respiratory tract for many airborne chemicals of environmental and occupational concern. Examples of human nasal effects include loss of olfactory function (e.g., anosmia and hyposmia), atrophy of the nasal mucosa, mucosal ulcers, perforated nasal septum, or sinonasal cancer related to exposure to certain metal dusts and vapors (Sunderman 2001). 

Other consequences of cadmium exposure are anemia, eosinophilia, yellow discoloration of the teeth, rhinitis, occasional ulceration of the nasal septum, damage to the olfactory nerve, and anosmia. ... 

The irritant effects are probably due primarily to its alkalinity, but dehydrating and thermal effects also may be contributing factors. Strong nasal irritation was observed from exposure to a mixture of dusts containing calcium oxide in the range of 25mg/m but levels of 9-lOmg/m produced no observable irritation. Inflammation of the respiratory tract, ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum, and pneumonia have been attributed to inhalation of calcium oxide dust severe irritation of the upper respiratory tract ordinarily causes persons to avoid serious inhalation exposure. ... 

Chromic Acid. Workers exposed to chromic acid or chromates in concentrations of 0.11-0.15 mg/m developed ulcers of the nasal septum and irritation of the conjunctiva, pharynx, and larynx, as well as asthmatic bronchitis. A worker exposed to unmeasured but massive amounts of chromic acid mist for 4 days developed severe frontal headache, wheezing, dyspnea, cough, and chest pain on inspiration after 6 months the worker still experienced chest pain on inspiration and cough. ... 

In an industrial plant in which the airborne chromic acid concentrations measured from 0.18 to 1.4mg/m/ moderate irritation of the nasal septum and turbinates was observed after 2 weeks of exposure, ulceration of the septum was present after 4 weeks, and there was perforation of the septum after 8 weeks. A worker exposed to an unmeasured concentration of chromic acid mist for 5 years developed jaundice and was found to be excreting significant amounts of chromium liver function was mildly to moderately impaired in four other workers with high urinary chromium excretion. ... 

Pneumoconiosis has been reported among workers exposed to nickel dust, but exposure to known fibrogenic substances could not be excluded. Nasal irritation, damage to the nasal mucosa, perforation of the nasal septum, and loss of smell have only occasionally been reported in workers exposed to nickel aerosols and other contaminants. ... 

Chronic 2-year studies showed a significant increase in the incidences of adenomas and carcinomas of the nasal cavity in high-dose rats fed diets containing 3000ppm of 2,6-xylidine. The carcinomas were highly invasive and frequently destroyed the nasal turbinates and nasal septum. Rhabdomyosarcomas, a rare tumor of the nasal cavity were also observed in the high-dose male and females. The nonneo-plastic lesions observed in the nasal cavity included acute inflammation, epithelial hyperplasia, and squamous metaplasia. In addition, subcutaneous fibromas and fibrosarcomas occurred in both males and females and there was an increased incidence of neoplastic nodules in the livers of female rats. 

H.-W. Kuo, J.-S. Lai, and T.-L. Lin, Nasal septum lesions and lung function in workers exposed to chromic acid in electroplating factories, Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health, 70 (1997) 272-276. 

Ammonium dichromate is an irritant to skin. Inhalation of dusts can cause pulmonary irritation, perforation of the nasal septum and chrome sores. Ingestion can cause ulceration. It is also a flammable salt. 

Elemental arsenic is much less toxic than its soluble compounds. Only its uncommon yellow aUotrope is highly toxic. Inhalation of metal dusts can cause ulceration of nasal septum. Ingestion may produce systemic skin and gastrointestinal effects in humans. Arsenic and its compounds are human carcinogens producing hver tumors. 

While chromium metal or trivalent chromium is not very toxic, hexavalent chromium (Cr +) is carcinogenic and moderately toxic. Cr + is corrosive to skin and causes denaturation and precipitation of tissue proteins. Inhalation of Cr6+ dust or mist can cause perforation of the nasal septum, lung irritation, and congestion of the respiratory passsages. Chronic exposure may produce cancer of the respiratory tract. 

Soft Tissue Examination of the Fetai Rat and Rabbit... 263 Nasal septum... 

Cocaine is a local vasoconstrictor, and snorting of cocaine intra-nasally reduces the amount of blood flow to the area, resulting in a reduced rate of drug absorption and slower onset of action. Often in cocaine abusers, the reduced blood supply to the nasal septum leads to the development of a perforation between the nasal passages. The effects of cocaine last approximately 40 minutes, while the effects of other stimulants usually last several hours, as each has a different half-life. 

Drug intoxication. Cocaine and amphetamine intoxication may cause an agitated paranoid psychotic episode. Physical signs include dilated pupils, slurred speech, ataxia, hyperreflexia, and nystagmus, as well as evidence of drug use (e.g., needle tracks, nasal septum erosion). Vital signs, if obtainable, include elevated blood pressure, pulse rate, and temperature (see also the section The Alcoholic Patient in Chapter 14). 

Cocaine differs from the other local anesthetics with respect to its cardiovascular effects. Cocaine s blockade of norepinephrine reuptake results in vasoconstriction and hypertension, as well as cardiac arrhythmias. The vasoconstriction produced by cocaine can lead to local ischemia and, in chronic abusers who use the nasal route, ulceration of the mucous membrane and damage to the nasal septum have been reported. The vasoconstrictor properties of cocaine can be used clinically to decrease bleeding from mucosal damage or surgical trauma in the nasopharyneal region. 

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