ANNUAL REVIEWS
Further
Quick links to online content Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. Copyright
© 1992
1992. 32:67--88
by Annual Reviews Inc. All rights reserved
Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 1992.32:67-88. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org Access provided by McMaster University on 02/05/15. For personal use only.
INHALED TOXICANTS AND AIRWAY HYPERRESPONSIVENESS Jerry M. Farley Department of Phannacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississi ppi 39216 KEY WORDS:
airborne toxicants. airway epithelium and smooth muscle; hyperresponsive
ness, ozone and sulfur dioxide, cocaine and tobacco
In 1986 and 1987, approximately 136 metric tons of particulates, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and lead were released per year into the atmosphere in the United States. Although the amounts of lead and particulate matter released into the atmosphere have substantially decreased since the 1940s, the amounts of nitrogen and sulfur oxides have remained largely unchanged (1) as illustrated in Figure lAo It is only necessary to read the newspaper reports of smog alerts in Los Angeles and other cities to realize the potential hazards of breathing air pollutants. Some respiratory diseases are increasing in incidence. As shown in Figure 1B, the frequency of death from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases as a class has increased (1, 2). Particularly disturbing has been the rise in the incidence of deaths due to asthma and pneumonia. The rise in the rate of death due to pulmonary diseases has occurred despite the advances made in the treatment of respiratory ailments. Whether there is a direct causal relationship between the continued presence of pollutants in the atmosphere and the increase in death due to respiratory disease is still a matter of debate. It has been clearly established, however, that air pollution has deleterious effects on respiratory function, particularly in a susceptible population, such as asthmat ics. Many people by choice also inhale toxicants in large quantity in the form of tobacco smoke and some drugs of abuse (e.g. cocaine or crack). 67
0362-1642/92/0415-0067$02.00
Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 1992.32:67-88. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org Access provided by McMaster University on 02/05/15. For personal use only.
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Further
Quick links to online content Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. Copyright
© 1992
1992. 32:67--88
by Annual Reviews Inc. All rights reserved
Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 1992.32:67-88. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org Access provided by McMaster University on 02/05/15. For personal use only.
INHALED TOXICANTS AND AIRWAY HYPERRESPONSIVENESS Jerry M. Farley Department of Phannacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississi ppi 39216 KEY WORDS:
airborne toxicants. airway epithelium and smooth muscle; hyperresponsive
ness, ozone and sulfur dioxide, cocaine and tobacco
In 1986 and 1987, approximately 136 metric tons of particulates, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and lead were released per year into the atmosphere in the United States. Although the amounts of lead and particulate matter released into the atmosphere have substantially decreased since the 1940s, the amounts of nitrogen and sulfur oxides have remained largely unchanged (1) as illustrated in Figure lAo It is only necessary to read the newspaper reports of smog alerts in Los Angeles and other cities to realize the potential hazards of breathing air pollutants. Some respiratory diseases are increasing in incidence. As shown in Figure 1B, the frequency of death from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases as a class has increased (1, 2). Particularly disturbing has been the rise in the incidence of deaths due to asthma and pneumonia. The rise in the rate of death due to pulmonary diseases has occurred despite the advances made in the treatment of respiratory ailments. Whether there is a direct causal relationship between the continued presence of pollutants in the atmosphere and the increase in death due to respiratory disease is still a matter of debate. It has been clearly established, however, that air pollution has deleterious effects on respiratory function, particularly in a susceptible population, such as asthmat ics. Many people by choice also inhale toxicants in large quantity in the form of tobacco smoke and some drugs of abuse (e.g. cocaine or crack). 67
0362-1642/92/0415-0067$02.00
Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 1992.32:67-88. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org Access provided by McMaster University on 02/05/15. For personal use only.
000
�
� 200
, Particulate Matter·
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,.., +l cd ....-t Q) � Q) b() � cd �
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120
,
;..; .
.
;
;.
.
" . .
.j>';";";"
110
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