Toxicology 2
Lung toxicity
Tobacco smoke
- Particulates and gases
- Decrease in pulmonary defence mechanims leading to susceptibility to other inhaled toxins
- Mucociliary escalator becomes paralyzed
- Prevents removal of deposited toxins
- Many of the more than 2000 components of tobacco are respiratory irritants
- Increased production of mucous (and reduction in removal) lead to blockage
- Overworked mucous glands increase in size
- Alveolar macrophages are destroyed causing release of proteolytic enzymes
- Destroy respiratory membrane surfaces resulting in emphysema
- Lung cancer