Respiratory system fibrosis

Damage to the respiratory system, deterioration of diseases of the heart and of the respiratory system, fibrosis and lung cancer... 

Toxins (gases, vapors, or aerosols) may injure respiratory tissue, or they may cause systemic toxicity by penetrating the tissue and entering the circulation. Injuries to the respiratory system vary in severity (depending on the agent and the degree of intoxication) from irritation to edema, fibrosis, or neoplasia. The site of toxicity depends on the water solubihty of a gas or on the size of aerosol particles or droplets. 

Genetic alterations or abnormalities of germ cells, some of which can be caused by toxicant exposure, can be manifested by adverse effects on progeny. The important health effects of these kinds of alterations may be appreciated by considering the kinds of human maladies that are caused by inherited recessive mutations. One such disease is cystic fibrosis, in which the clinical phenotype has thick, dry mucus in the tubes of the respiratory system such that inhaled bacterial and fungal spores cannot be cleared from the system. This results in frequent, severe infections. It is the consequence of a faulty chloride transporter membrane protein that does not properly transport Cl ion from inside cells to the outside, where they normally retain water characteristic of healthy mucus. The faulty transporter protein is the result of a change of a single amino acid in the protein. 

While the respiratory system is well-equipped to defend against exposure to a vast array of toxic substances, the intricate cellular and molecular mechanisms designed to repair injured lung tissues often fail, resulting in a number of chronic lung diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, asthma, hypersensitivity pnuemonitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a combination of bronchitis and emphysema. 

HEALTH SYMPTOMS inhalation (irritates eyes, skin, respiratory system, and pulmonary fibrosis) skin absorption (inflammation or corrosion of the skin and mucous membranes) ingestion (gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea). 

ACUTE HEALTH RISKS irritation of eyes and respiratory system interstitial fibrosis. 

Does the substance act on a component of the respiratory system to induce, for example, bronchospasm, obstruction, or fibrosis ... 

Properties Pale yel. heavy powd. (wh. when pure, brn. commercial prod.) sol. in sulfuric acid insol. in water and dil. acid m.w. 172.115 dens. 7.65 m.p. 2600 C noncombustible Toxicology LD50 (oral, rat) > 5 g/kg may be harmful by inh., ing. or skin absorption irritating to eyes, skin, respiratory system may cause fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, liver changes, enzyme inhibition target organ blood TSCA listed... 

Toxicoiogy ACGIH TLV/7WA 10 mg/m (total dust) NIOSH RELiTWA 6 mg/m harmful dust nuisance dust may cause fibrosis of the lungs irritating to eyes, respiratory system possible carcinogen tumorigen TSCA listed... 

Human health Sulfuric acid is corrosive to all body tissues. Inhalation can paralyze the respiratory system, contact with eyes may result in loss of vision, and skin contact may result in severe bums and necrosis. Swallowing may cause severe injury or death. Between one teaspoonful and half an ounce of the concentrated acid may be fatal if swallowed, and an even smaller quantity may be fatal if inhaled. Chronic exposure may cause tracheobronchitis, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, and gastritis. Gastric perforation and peritonitis may occur and may be followed by collapse of the circulatory system. Pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and emphysema have been reported from acute exposure to fuming sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid mist. Chronic exposure usually results in erosion of the teeth, particularly the incisors. 

Nausea, mild vomiting Urticaria Itching Severe vomiting Marked urticaria Bronchospasm Facialdaryngeal edema Vasovagal attack Hypotensive shock Respiratory arrest Cardiac arrest Convulsions Nausea, vomiting Headache Musculoskeletal pain Fever Skin reaction Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis ... 

Acute effects on the respiratory system include bronchitis and asthma and chronic effects include fibrosis and cancer. Hardwood dust, for example, can produce asthma attacks and nasal cancer. 

There is no evidence that inhalation exposures in occupational settings cause the rapid progressive pulmonary fibrosis and injury to the heart, liver, and kidneys that occur after ingestion. Because of the low vapor pressure, there is little inhalation hazard. Spray droplets are usually too large to reach the alveoli. If exposure is excessive, droplets may be inhaled into the upper respiratory tract and cause nosebleed, sore throat, headache, and coughing from local irritant action. Rarely, dermal exposure to paraquat has resulted in systemic poisonings and deaths with renal and pulmonary... 

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