ABSTRACT
Histopathology and bronchoalveolar lavage studies of the respiratory system, and biological assays of blood of the laboratory animals are other important studies use for evaluation of the toxic environment. This chapter discusses smoke inhalation as a prototype for acute and chronic lung injury with emphasis on: the fire environment, the evaluation of products of pyrolysis and combustion in laboratory animals and its correlation in humans, and the diagnostic workup and management of acute and chronic inhalation lung injury. Smoke is a suspension of visible small particulate matter in hot air and toxic gases. The toxic gases can be present as the invisible component. Studies have shown that the most dangerous toxic gas produced in fires is carbon monoxide. Analysis of toxic gases produced during structural fires in the Dallas area showed that carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, aldehydes, and total hydrocarbons and free radicals of gases are released.
