Tobacco smoke respiratory irritation

Respirable suspended particulates (PMin) tobacco smoke emissions from cooking and heating appliances, burnhg incense. respiratory irritation and infection aggravation of existing respiratory or cardiovascular disease nasal and eye irritations. 

Metaplasia is the reversible substitution of one type of fully differentiated cell for another within a given tissue. A classic example is the replacement of the normal ciliated columnar epithelial cells in the respiratory tract airways by squamous epithelium (Figure 4) in situations in which there is chronic irritation from certain components of inhaled tobacco smoke. While the squamous epithelium is believed to provide functional protection against the irritant properties of the smoke, the loss of the ciliated columnar epithelium results in reduction of the functional capacity of the lungs to clear particulates from the respiratory tract. When the irritation is removed, the squamous epithelium is replaced by normal ciliated columnar epithelium. 

The continuing worldwide increase in respiratory disease corresponds to increases in the release of chemicals into the atmosphere. Respiratory irritation, sensitization, asthma, RADS, and lung cancer can be attributed to numerous single chemicals whose toxicological properties are, for the most part, well known. Many unexplained incidences of respiratory disease cannot be attributed to single chemical exposures, but have been shown to occur when exposures are to chemical mixtures that are composed of at least one lipophile and one hydrophile. The sources of such mixtures include diesel exhausts, tobacco smoke, carpet emissions, paint fumes, and cleaning products. Prevention of chemically induced respiratory diseases should include limiting exposures to these chemical mixtures. 

Although formaldehyde is widely recognized as a dermal irritant that can sensitize the skin in humans, the evidence for immunologically-mcdiatcd sensitization of the respiratory tract is weak. Despite the widespread use of formaldehyde in several occupational exposure scenarios (and the widespread occurrence of formaldehyde in tobacco smoke), there are only a few available case reports of formaldehyde-exposed workers who display marked changes in pulmonary function variables (e g.,... 

Other studies conducted by government and other research facilities contend that the only proven long-term effects of marijuana use are all related to risks posed by smoking. Users usually inhale marijuana smoke deeply and hold the smoke in their lungs for at least several seconds. Marijuana smoke contains tar, carbon monoxide, and many complex chemicals, almost all of which are respiratory irritants and potential cancer-causing agents. In fact, according to the lOM report, each inhalation of marijuana smoke contains three to five times more tar and carbon monoxide than an equal amount of tobacco smoke. Therefore, a person who smokes marijuana daily for... 

---