Gases, Irritant
A vast number of compounds produce irritant effects when inhaled in the gaseous form. The most common source of exposure to irritant gases is industry, but significant exposures may occur in a variety of circumstances, such as after mixing cleaning agents at home, with smoke inhalation in structural fires, or after highway tanker spills.
Mechanism of toxicity. Irritant gases often are divided into two major groups on the basis of their water solubility (Table II–29).
Table II-29 Irritant Toxic Gases
Table II-29 Irritant Toxic Gases
Gas
TLVa (ppm)
IDLHb (ppm)
High water solubility
Ammonia
25
300
Chloraminec
N/A
N/A
Formaldehyde
0.3(C)
20
Hydrogen chloride
2(C)
50
Hydrogen fluoride
3(C)
30
Nitric acid
2
25
Sulfur dioxide
0.25(S)
100
Moderate water solubility
Acrolein
0.1
2
Chlorine
0.5
10
Fluorine
1
25
Low water solubility
Nitric oxide
25
100
Nitrogen dioxide
3
20
Ozone
0.2d
5
Phosgene
0.1
2
Highly soluble gases (eg, ammonia and chlorine) are readily adsorbed by the upper respiratory tract and rapidly produce their primary effects on moist mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, and throat.
Less soluble gases
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