ABSTRACT
The respiratory system of humans is increasingly exposed through the inhalation route to airborne toxicants such as cigarette smoke, fine particles, heavy metals, automobile exhaust gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and microorganisms. Inhalation toxicities refer to toxic responses produced in the respiratory tract via exposure to these toxicants. Air pollution episodes that caused human deaths include the Meuse Valley air pollution episode (Belgium in 1930), the Donora episode (Pennsylvania in 1948), Anatomical diameter and respiratory system https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429225451/dcd28b67-dd36-4e9c-87a1-8f16e51dd5cb/content/fig15_1.jpg"/> 310 and the London smog episode (England in 1952). These episodes have provided the basis for present-day regulations to reduce toxic substances from emissions and to improve air quality (ambient, indoor). We now know that pulmonary toxicity is highly dependent upon physicochemical properties (e.g., diameter, size) of particles inhaled into the lungs (Figure 15.1).
