title: Mechanisms of occupational airways diseases induced by exposure to organic and inorganic chemicals.
abstract: Inhaled low molecular weight chemicals (LMWC) encountered in the work-place can induce airways disease. Most LMWC are irritants and if exposure levels are high enough or if there is extended exposure, can cause inflammation of the eyes, respiratory tract, and alveolar membrane without class specific antibody production or involvement of cellular mechanisms. Reflex or inflammatory bronchoconstriction may result. At lower concentrations, some of these LMWC are haptenic and induce respiratory symptoms by immune mechanisms. Dose and duration of exposure, as well as physiochemical properties of the agent and host factors, influence the effect that a given agent may have on an individual. It is important to distinguish between irritant and hypersensitivity responses for diagnostic purposes and for subsequent patient management. However, long term effects of sub-lethal exposure to primary irritants, such as SO2 or chemicals which are irritants at high concentrations but can also induce antibody formation, such as the isocyanates and acid anhydrides, are not clear.
authors.affiliation: Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: O'Neil
mesh_terms: D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000139:chemically induced; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007509:Irritants