Chemical Pneumonitis

by Christina Caudill ~ Trejo Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Many
household and industrial chemicals are capable of producing both an
acute and a chronic form of inflammation in the lung. Acute chemical
pneumonitis causes swelling of the lung tissue, movement of fluid into
the air spaces in the lung, and less ability to absorb oxygen and get
rid of carbon dioxide. In severe cases, death may result from lack of
oxygen reaching the tissues (hypoxia).

Chlorine gas is one of
the most irritating commonly inhaled substance. Exposure to dangerous
levels of chlorine gas may occur at home (during use of cleaning
materials such as chlorine bleach), in industrial accidents, or near
swimming pools. Inhalation of dangerous substances can occur in many
different settings, including factories (especially during smelting,
welding, or other metal work), the production or use of solvents or
pesticides, fires (house fires, wildfires), and the handling of grain.

Chronic
chemical pneumonitis can follow low levels of exposure to the lung
irritant over extended periods of time. This causes inflammation and
may provoke fibrosis (scarring) with decreased oxygen exchange and
stiffening of the lung. Unchecked, this condition may ultimately lead
to respiratory failure and death.

Hemolytic anemia caused by chemicals and toxins
Definition: Hemolytic anemia or destruction of red blood cells can be caused by factors other than disease.

Possible chemical or physical causes of hemolysis of red blood cells and hemolytic anemia include:

    * Anti-malaria drugs (quinolone compounds)
    * Sulfones
    * Sulfonamides (sulfasalazine)
    * Nitrofurantoin
    * Phenazopyridine
    * Pyridium
    * Intravenous water (not half-normal saline or normal
       saline)
    * Arsenic
    * Metals (chromium/chromates, platinum salts, nickel
      compounds, copper, lead, cis-platinum)
    * Snake bite (some snake venom contains hemolytic toxins)

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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