Upper respiratory tract

Large quantities of Tefzel have been processed and used in many demanding service appHcations. No cases of permanent injury have been attributed to these resins, and only limited instances of temporary irritation to the upper respiratory tract have been reported (35). 

Formaldehyde causes eye, upper respiratory tract, and skin irritation and is a skin sensitizer. Although sensory irritation, eg, eye irritation, has been reported at concentrations as low as 0.1 ppm in uncontrolled studies, significant eye/nose/throat irritation does not generally occur until concentrations of 1 ppm, based on controlled human chamber studies. Odor detection has commonly been reported to occur in the range of 0.06—0.5 ppm (133—135). 

Hydrogen chloride in air is an irritant, severely affecting the eye and the respiratory tract. The inflammation of the upper respiratory tract can cause edema and spasm of the larynx. The vapor in the air, normally absorbed by the upper respiratory mucous membranes, is lethal at concentrations of over 0.1% in air, when exposed for a few minutes. HCl is detectable by odor at 1—5 ppm level and becomes objectionable at 5—10 ppm. The maximum concentration that can be tolerated for an hour is about 0.01% which, even at these levels, causes severe throat irritation. The maximum allowable concentration under normal working conditions has been set at 5 ppm. 

Acute effects of overexposure are as follows. Exposure to dust may cause mechanical irritation of the eye. PPS is essentially nonirritating to the skin, although freshly molded material may occasionally cause dermatitis. Inhalation of PPS dust may cause mechanical irritation to mucous membranes of nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract. 

Most aHyl compounds are toxic and many are irritants. Those with a low boiling point are lachrymators. Precautions should be taken at aH times to ensure safe handling (59). AHyl compounds are harmful and may be fatal if inhaled, swaHowed, or absorbed through skin. They are destmctive to the tissues of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract, eyes, and skin (Table 4). 

Contact with elemental selenium does not injure the skin. Selenium dioxide, however, upon contact with water, sweat, or tears, forms selenous acid, a severe skin irritant. Selenium oxyhaHdes are extremely vesicant and cause bums when in contact with human skin (91,92). Hydrogen selenide affects the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes (93). 

Succinic acid is Generally Recogni2ed As Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. PDA (184) and is approved as a flavor enhancer, as a pH control agent in condiments, and for use in meat products. It causes irritation to the eyes (185), skin, mucous membranes, and upper respiratory tract. LD q in rat is 2260 mg/kg. Succinic acid, like most materials in powder form, can cause dust explosion. 

Health and Safety Factors. Sulfuryl chloride is both corrosive to the skin and toxic upon inhalation. The TLV suggested by the manufacturer is 1 ppm. The vapors irritate the eyes and upper respiratory tract, causing prompt symptoms ranging from coughing to extreme bronchial irritation and pulmonary edema. The DOT label is Corrosive, Poison. 

Tertiary Amine Catalysts. The Hquid tertiary aHphatic amines used as catalysts in the manufacture of polyurethanes can cause contact dermatitis and severe damage to the eye. Inhalation can produce moderate to severe irritation of the upper respiratory tracts and the lungs. Ventilation, protective clothing, and safety glasses are mandatory when handling these chemicals. 

In general, chi orohydrin s are relatively toxic irritants. They are harmhil if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. They cause irritation to the eyes, skin, mucous membrane, and upper respiratory tract. 

The threshold limit value for ethyl alcohol vapor in air has been set at 1000 ppm for an 8-h time-weighted exposure by the ACGIH (1989 listing). The minimum identifiable odor of ethyl alcohol has been reported as 350 ppm. Exposure to concentrations of 5,000—10,000 ppm result in irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and, if continued for an hour or more, may result in stupor or drowsiness. Concentrations of this latter order of magnitude have an intense odor and are almost intolerable to begin with, but most people can become acclimated to the exposure after a short time. Table 7 gives the effects of exposure to even heavier concentrations. 

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. 

The effects of this mixture of gases are insidious several hours may elapse before lung iiTitation develops. It is feebly irritant to the upper respiratory tract due to its relatively low solubility. 

Noticeable irritation of eyes and nasal passages after few minutes exposure Severe irritation of the throat, nasal passages and upper respiratory tract Severe eye irritation... 

Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment Rubber gloves goggles or face shield Symptoms Folio-wing Exposure Syn toms unlikely from any form of exposure General Treatment for Exposure INHALATION remove to fresh air. EYES flush with water. SKIN flush with water, wash well with soap and water Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value) Data not available Short-Term Exposure Limits Data not available Toxicity by Ingestion Grade 2 oral LDjq 1,000 mg/kg (rabbit) Late Toxicity Prolonged inhalation of heated vapor produces irritation of upper respiratory tract in humans Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics Odorless Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics Data not available Odor Threshold Data not available. 

Health Hazards - Personal Protective Equipment Full face mask and acid gas canister self-contained breathing apparatus chemical goggles mbber apron and gloves acid-proof clothing safety shower Symptoms Following Exposure Severely irritating to nose and upper respiratory tract lung injury Treatment for Exposure INHALATION immediately remove patient to fir h air, keep him warm and... 

The toxic action of bromine is similar to that of chlorine and can cause physiological damage to humans through inhalation and oral routes. It is an irritant to the mucous membranes of the eyes and upper respiratory tract. Severe exposures may result in pulmonary edema. Chronic exposure is similar to therapeutic ingestion of excessive bromides. 

Reimer, A., von Mecklenberg, C., and Toremalm, N. G. (1978). The mucociliary activity of the upper respiratory tract. III. A functional and morphological study on human and animal mare-tial with special reference to maxillary sinus diseases. Acta Otolaryngol., 1-20. 

Proetz, A. W. (1951). Air currents in the upper respiratory tract and their clinical importance. Ann. Otol. Rhinol. Laryngol. 60, 439-467. 

Norfloxacin (1, R = C2H5, R = H), a typical example, exhibits broad-spectrum activity and is useful in the treatment of upper respiratory tract and urinary infections [7] Lomefloxacin (2), a very recent introduction, is a third-generation product that, given once daily, is especially useful against pathogens resistant to cephalosponns, penicillins, and aminoglycosides [4] Floxacillin (J) is a stable, orally active antibacterial with improved activity over thenonfluonnated product (cloxacillin) [5]... 

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