Inhalation is a majour route of human exposure to many substances. Airborne substances are of different physical form and include gases, vapours, aerosols and dusts. Their uptake by inhalation may have local or systemic, short or long-term, adverse effects on health. Testing chemicals for potential toxicity by the inhalation route is important for risk assessment and for providing the scientific criteria an which effective risk management can be based.
Respiratory toxicology is concerned with the effects of chemicals on the respiartory tract as a whole and with toxic effects on other systems, (organs and tissues) resulting from respiratory tract absorption. It involves consideration of the physical and chemical characteristics of airborne materials, the anatomical structure and physiological function of the respiratory tract, the extent of deposition, retention, absorption or clearance of inhaled materials, the nature of local and systemic adverse effects, and the resultant health consequences.
Respiratory toxicology is concerned with the effects of chemicals on the respiartory tract as a whole and with toxic effects on other systems, (organs and tissues) resulting from respiratory tract absorption. It involves consideration of the physical and chemical characteristics of airborne materials, the anatomical structure and physiological function of the respiratory tract, the extent of deposition, retention, absorption or clearance of inhaled materials, the nature of local and systemic adverse effects, and the resultant health consequences.