Irritant Compounds: Respiratory Irritant Gases

Abstract

Respiratory irritants are substances which can cause inflammation or other adverse reactions in the respiratory system (lungs, nose, mouth, larynx and trachea) after being inhaled. Depending on the type and amount of irritant gas inhaled, victims can experience symptoms ranging from minor respiratory discomfort to acute airway and lung injury and even death. The lungs are susceptible to many airborne irritants. A common response cascade to a variety of irritant gases includes inflammation, edema and epithelial sloughing which, left untreated, can result in scar formation and pulmonary and airway remodeling. There are hundreds of substances that can pollute air and harm lungs. Harmful gases and chemicals are just one type of airborne pollutants that can adversely affect the lungs. Examples of respiratory irritants include, for example, chlorine, amonium, ozone, sulphur dioxide or nitrogen oxides. These substances, their sources of exposure, physical and other properties, and effects on the victim are summarized in this article.

Estimation of the Number of Excess Hospitalizations Attributed to Sulfur Dioxide in Six Major Cities of Iran

“…Sulfur dioxide is one of the pollutants that come from combustion of fuels containing sulfur (such as oil, coal, gas and petroleum), refineries and vehicle emissions (3). This pollutant is a severe irritant and reactive gas, which can be absorbed through nose and lower respiratory tract at inhalation exposure (4). Sulfur dioxide causes inflammation, constriction and creates mucus by reducing the diameter of airways (3).…”

“…Sulfur dioxide causes inflammation, constriction and creates mucus by reducing the diameter of airways (3). At various concentrations of SO 2 , pollutant has effects on different systems and organs and exposure can lead to a wide range of side effects from bronchospasm to coughing, eye irritation, edema and vascular changes (4,5).…”

Adsorption of SO2 air pollutant gas molecule on the pure and Al-doped graphene nano sheet: A DFT study

“…Of these pollutant gas molecules, Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless, reactive air pollutant with a strong odor [34][35][36], the main sources of which are fossil fuel combustion and natural volcanic activity [37-41] [42,43]. High concentrations of SO2 can be hazardous for human health [44][45][46][47][48] [ [49][50][51][52]. These molecules are adsorbed by different kinds of graphene sheets or carbon nanotubes consisting of carbon atoms as well [53][54][55][56].…”

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“…There are hundreds of substances that can pollute air and harm lungs. Examples of respiratory irritants include, for example, chlorine, amonium, ozone, sulphur dioxide or nitrogen oxides (Patocka and Kuca, 2014). A special group of respiratory irritants finds use as chemical warfare agents that irritate airways.…”