Respiratory tract/system upper

Anatomy and physiology. The human respiratory system is divided into upper and lower respiratory tracts. The upper respiratory system consists of the nose, nasal cavities, nasopharynx, and oropharynx. The lower respiratory tract consists of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and alveoli, which are composed of respiratory tissues. 

A. Acute exposure causes irritation of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract. Systemic absorption may cause headache, vomiting, weakness, and lethargy. Profound sweating, hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, convulsions, and coma are associated with severe or fatal poisonings. Pulmonary edema may occur. Death is usually caused by cardiovascular collapse or hyperthermia. After death an extremely rapid onset of rigor mortis is frequently reported. Dinitrophenol may also induce methemoglobinemia, liver and kidney failure, and yellow-stained skin. 

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. 

SYSTEMIC EFFECTS Occurs primarily through inhalation and ingestion. The T vapor or aerosol is less toxic to the skin or eyes than the liquid form. When inhaled, the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, tracheae) is inflamed after a few hours latency period, accompanied by sneezing, coughing and bronchitis, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever, and apathy. Exposure to nearly lethal doses of T can produce injury to bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen as indicated by a drop in white blood cell (WBC) count and, therefore, results in increased susceptibility to local and systemic infections. Ingestion of T will produce severe stomach pains, vomiting, and bloody stools after a 15-20 minute latency period. 

AC as a gas can be inhaled or absorbed through breaks in the skin. In liquid form (hydrocyanic acid) it may be ingested, absorbed through the skin or eyes, or inhaled as a mist. It is irritating to the eyes and upper respiratory tract. It inactivates certain enzyme systems, which prevents cells from normal utilization of oxygen. 

CK in liquid or gas form is highly irritating to the eyes and upper respiratory tract. Inside the body, it converts to hydrogen cyanide, which inactivates certain enzyme systems that prevent cells from utilizing oxygen. Impacted skin may appear flushed. Low levels of exposure often cause weakness, headache, disorientation, nausea, and vomiting. Higher levels of exposure will result in loss of consciousness, terminate respiration, and cause death within 15 minutes. An immediate lethal dose often causes violent contractions of blood vessels accompanied by severe shock. This reaction may cause death prior to asphyxiation.1 ... 

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