Abstract
Inhaled substances may cause injury in pulmonary epithelium at various levels of respiratory tract, leading from simple symptoms to severe disease. Acute inhalation injury (AII) is not uncommon condition. There are certain high risk groups but AII may occur at various places including home or workplace. Environmental exposure is also possible. In addition to individual susceptibility, the characteristics of inhaled substances such as water solubility, size of substances and chemical properties may affect disease severity as well as its location. Although AII cases may recover in a few days but AII may cause long-term complications, even death. We aimed to discuss the effects of short-term exposures (minutes to hours) to toxic substances on the lungs.
Highlights
Toxic exposures are most likely to occur via inhalation, direct contact with the skin or eyes, and/or ingestion, for which inhalation with associated fatalities is the most commonly reported
Inhaled substances may directly injure the pulmonary epithelium at various levels of the respiratory tract, leading to a wide range of disorders from tracheitis and bronchiolitis to pulmonary edema
Inhalation is an important route of exposure to hydrogen chloride (HCl), which is highly water soluble and highly irritating to the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and respiratory tract because of its acidity
Summary
Toxic exposures are most likely to occur via inhalation, direct contact with the skin or eyes, and/or ingestion, for which inhalation with associated fatalities is the most commonly reported. Asphyxiants, toxic metals, products of fires and combustion, and many other substances have been reported to cause acute inhalation injury. Some chemical irritants causing acute inhalation injury: their effects and sources of exposure
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