Exposure to Ozone Inhalation
- Welding
- Water Treatment
- Pulp Paper Bleaching: exposure may also involve concomitant exposure to chlorine dioxide
Physiology of Ozone Inhalation
- Ozone Inhalation
- Low Water Solubility: may result in longer exposure and delayed injury to bronchioles and alveoli
- Increased Airway Epithelial Permeability
- Inflammatory cell influx
- Neutrophils play a major role in the airway hyperreactivity following ozone exposure
- Injury to alveolar macrophages may occur: increases risk of subsequent infection
- Atropine prevents the increased airway resistance after experimental ozone exposure
Diagnosis of Ozone Inhalation
- FOB: may be necessary to rule out airway injury
Clinical Manifestations of Ozone Inhalation
(delayed onset of pulmonary injury -> symptoms may occur later)
- Acute or Chronic Bronchitis (see Cough, [[Cough]] and Obstructive Lung Disease, [[Obstructive Lung Disease]]): with increased bronchial reactivity
- Bronchiolitis Obliterans (see Bronchiolitis Obliterans, [[Bronchiolitis Obliterans]])
- Acute Lung Injury-ARDS (see Acute Lung Injury-ARDS, [[Acute Lung Injury-ARDS]])
Treatment of Ozone Inhalation
- Steroids: may be benficial in acute lung injury, but unproven
References
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