Upper respiratory system

Inhalation of aerosols or heated vapors may result in irritation of the nose, throat, and upper respiratory system. Lower molecular weight and branched-chain amines are more volatile and can cause irritation if inhaled. Volatile amines are easily recognized by their unpleasant, fishy odor. 

Tlie respiratory system is tlie main target organ for vapour, gas or mist. Readily-soluble cheirticals, e.g. chlorine or phosgene, attack the upper respiratory tract less soluble gases, e.g. oxides of nitrogen, penetrate more deeply into the conducting airways and, in some cases, may cause pulmonary oedema, often after a time delay. 

Health effects attributed to sulfur oxides are likely due to exposure to sulfur dioxide, sulfate aerosols, and sulfur dioxide adsorbed onto particulate matter. Alone, sulfur dioxide will dissolve in the watery fluids of the upper respiratory system and be absorbed into the bloodstream. Sulfur dioxide reacts with other substances in the atmosphere to form sulfate aerosols. Since most sulfate aerosols are part of PMj 5, they may have an important role in the health impacts associated with fine particulates. However, sulfate aerosols can be transported long distances through the atmosphere before deposition actually occurs. Average sulfate aerosol concentrations are about 40% of average fine particulate levels in regions where fuels with high sulfur content are commonly used. Sulfur dioxide adsorbed on particles can be carried deep into the pulmonary system. Therefore, reducing concentrations of particulate matter may also reduce the health impacts of sulfur dioxide. Acid aerosols affect respiratory and sensory functions. 

Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment Self-contained breathing apparatus complete protective clothing safety glasses face shield Symptoms Following Exposure Inhalation causes severe irritation of upper respiratory system. Contact with liquid or vapor causes severe bums of eyes and can cause ulcers and blindness. Contact with skin causes severe burns. Ingestion causes severe burns of mucous membranes General Treatment for Exposure Get immediate... 

Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment Amine-type canister goggles or face shield rubber gloves Symptoms Following Exposure Vapors from hot liquid can irritate eyes and upper respiratory system. Liquid burns eyes and skin. May cause sensitization of skin General Treatment for Exposure INHALATION remove victim to fresh air INGESTION do NOT... 

The aerodynamic particle diameter determines the fate of particles in the respiratory system. Coarse particles are deposited in the nose and nasopharynx. Smaller particles that pass the upper airway can be deposited in the bronchial region and lower airway. A size-selective deposition model and sampling of particles has been standardized both in Europe and internationally. The... 

White, granular, or crystalline deliquescent solid that is odorless when dry but has a faint odor like almond when wet. This material is hazardous through inhalation, skin absorption, penetration through broken skin, and ingestion, and produces local skin/eye impacts. It causes irritation of the eyes, skin, and upper respiratory system, asphyxia, lassitude, headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, increased respiratory rate or slow gasping respiration, as well as thyroid and blood changes. 

The respiratory system is divided into two areas the upper and the lower respiratory system. The upper respiratory system is composed of the nose, sinuses, mouth, pharynx (section between the mouth and esophagus), larynx (the voice box), and the trachea or windpipe. The lower respiratory system is composed of the lungs and its smaller structures, including the bronchi and the alveoli. The bronchial tubes carry fresh air from the trachea through a series of branching tubes to the alveoli. The alveoli are small blind air sacs where the gas exchange with the blood occurs. An estimated 300 million alveoli are found in a normal lung. These alveoli contribute a total surface area of approximately 70 m2. Small capillaries found in the walls of the alveoli transport the blood an estimated 100 ml of blood is in the capillaries at any moment. 

Dusts and other insoluble materials present a particular difficulty to the lungs. Particles that enter the alveoli are removed slowly. For dusts the following simple rule usually applies The smaller the dust particles, the farther they penetrate into the respiratory system. Particles greater than 5 /xm in diameter are usually filtered by the upper respiratory system. Particles with diameters between 2 and 5 /xm generally reach the bronchial system. Particles less than 1 /xm in diameter can reach the alveoli. 

Symptoms of exposure Irritates nasal passages, upper respiratory system, stomach eye ache. Ingestion may cause central nervous system depression (NIOSH, 1997). 

Symptoms of exposure Vapors may cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and upper respiratory system. Narcotic at high concentrations (Patnaik, 1992). 

Chronic inhalation exposure by mice (up to 2 ppm, 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for 1 year) or hamsters (up to 5 ppm, 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for 1 year) caused a significant increase in rare tumors of the upper respiratory system including papillomas, adenomas, and osteomas. These benign tumors were thought to be the result of chronic insult to the system. An increase in liver tumors (hemangioma, hemangiosarcoma, adenoma, and carcinoma) also occurred in mice. 

The rationale for basing air quality standards on smaller particles is evident from an examination of Fig. 2.12, a diagram of the human respiratory tract. Larger particles that are inhaled are removed in the head or upper respiratory tract. The respiratory system from the nose through the tracheobronchial region is covered with a layer of mucus that is continuously moved upward by the motion of small hairlike projections called cilia. Large particles deposit on the mucus, are moved up, and are ultimately swallowed. 

Figure 2.13 shows the deposition of particles in various regions of the respiratory tract as a function of particle diameter (Phalen, 1984 Phalen et al., 1991 Yeh et al., 1996). The deposition fraction of PM1() in the pulmonary and tracheobronchial regions can be quite large, so it is not surprising that health effects could be associated with these particles. Deposition in the upper portions of the respiratory system is dominated primarily by the large particles, which are readily taken out in the nose and upper airways. 

Aerosols of particles larger than 2 pm also cause damage to the upper respiratory system. Arsenic oxides, sulfides, and chlorides are used in a variety of industries, such as manufacturing of colored glass, ceramics, semiconductors, and fireworks and in hide processing. However, upper respiratory exposure to these compounds is most likely to occur in ore smelting industries and in pesticide manufacturing. 

Sax (Ref 13) indicates that air containing more than 1000 parts per million of ethyl alcohol is irritating to the eyes and upper respiratory system. He rates it dangerous as a fire or disaster hazard when exposed to heat or flame, and moderate as an expln hazard when exposed to flame... 

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