[Chemicals toxic to the olfactory system. Analysis and description].
AN IMPORTANT PROBLEM: Occupational exposure to chemical products can have toxic effects on the olfactory system. An important number of patients have experienced olfactory disorders subsequent to the development of the chemical industry and atmospheric pollution. EPIDEMIOLOGY DATA: Straightforward data are difficult to collect because several cofactors other than the toxic product are involved. Two lists of toxic products can be made. The first list includes products for which scientific data is available and the second products for which data is lacking. Olfactory tests also differ between authors and countries. TWO TYPES OF TOXICITY: Acute, accidental toxicity is evidenced by the lesions caused by inhalation of high-doses of strongly toxic agents. Chronic intoxication caused by lower concentrations of these inhaled agents does not produce a trigeminal reflex leading to a modified respiratory rate reducing the airborne aggression. APPROXIMATIONS: Clinical data describing the olfactory toxicity of certain industrial and chemical compounds are very significant but often cannot prove a cause and effect relationship. Data obtained with experimental models in rodents are difficult to extrapolate to humans.
Norès
J M
JM
Service de Médecine interne, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches.
Biacabe
B
B
Bonfils
P
P
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D020431:Olfactory Nerve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000187:drug effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational