Deck 28: Industrial Chemicals That Cause Atmospheric Changes and Direct Versus Indirect Toxicity: Gases, Vapors, Aerosols, and Radiation

Question 1

What is the difference between a simple vs. a chemical asphyxiant?

Answer 1

Simple asphyxiants drive the oxygen out of an area, such as nitrogen gas which is being considered for human executions in the U.S. as the medications usually used are being withheld by pharmaceutical companies. The chemical asphyxiants interfere with mitochondrial use of oxygen such as HCN gas formerly used in executions.

Question 2

What are the effects of cadmium oxide?

Answer 2

Cadmium oxide cause pneumonia, emphysema, and cor pulmonale due to damage to the alveoli and its effect on lung and heart function.

Question 3

Why is the size of asbestos so important in the toxicity to the tract. Is the asbestos or the body's reaction to it that causes the problems?

Answer 3

The size determines whether lung cancer, mesothelioma or asbestosis (fibrosis) will occur. The macrophage generation of oxygen radicals in attempts to break up the fiber result in the problems observed

Question 4

The Fukushima nuclear meltdown workers were allow 250 mSv of radiation exposure and there was 570 PBq of ¹³¹I released from the plant. What are the concerns for long-term versus short-term problems associated with these exposures?

Question 5

Why are alpha particles much more toxic to cells surrounding a source than beta or gamma irradiation?