Morbidity following acute irritant inhalation in a population-based study

Article Abstract:

Exposure to irritating fumes or gases can contribute to the development of lung disease. However, it is difficult to obtain data on the extent of the problem. Many patients whose condition may be related to irritant exposure may be grouped with asthma patients. Reactive airway dysfunction syndrome has been described as a consequence of irritant exposure, but data are available only for small numbers of cases. The term 'industrial bronchitis' has been used to describe lung disease that is associated with chronic exposure to irritants, but few data are available to specify precisely what the relationship of the irritant to the bronchitis might actually be. In short, the relationship of lung disease to irritant exposure has not been studied directly. This relationship has now been evaluated in a follow-up of 683 cases of irritant inhalation reported to a poison-control center over a six-month period. The data indicate that exposure to inhaled irritants is relatively common. However, although this inhalation was associated with acute respiratory symptoms, there was no relation between irritant exposure and the development of chronic or persistent respiratory problems. Although the actual exposure to an irritant was not a significant predictor of chronic respiratory problems, the existence of some respiratory problem prior to the exposure to the irritant was a significant predictor of persistent problems. Similarly, smoking was significantly associated with chronic respiratory problems. The results of this study suggest that inhaled irritants are a common cause of respiratory symptoms but that these symptoms are usually short-lived and rarely progress to chronic illness. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Lung diseases, Gases, Asphyxiating and poisonous, Poisonous gases

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Occupational illness: case detection by poison control surveillance

Article Abstract:

The role of a regional poison control center in identifying occupational illnesses over a six-month period was evaluated. The study included 301 occupational or job-related exposure cases, including 223 patients under direct medical care. Patients and treating health care providers, including the treating physician, physician's assistant, and nurse practitioner, were interviewed. Of 301 cases, 155 persons suffered respiratory disorders, or systemic illnesses, involving the entire body, and 109 persons had skin or eye conditions. Occupational illnesses were related more to exposures than technical failure. One hundred and eighteen persons described a lack of respirators, or breathing equipment, and inadequate personal protective equipment in the workplace. Only five health care providers (for 223 persons) reported that they specialized in occupational health, although 128 health care providers regularly practiced occupational health care. Another program designed to monitor the incidence of occupational illness, the Doctor's First Report surveillance program, only identified 67 cases, whereas the Occupational Safety and Health Administration surveillance detected 97 cases. These findings indicate that the poison control center was useful in identifying occupational illness. Inadequate reporting by other established surveillance programs suggests that the incidence of occupational illnesses in the United States is underestimated and may be three to five times greater than previously estimated. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Safety and security measures, Reports, Occupational diseases, Work, Work (Labor), Poison control centers

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Pennyroyal toxicity: measurement of toxic metabolite levels in two cases and review of the literature

Article Abstract:

The use of a widely available herb called pennyroyal to induce abortions may have potentially fatal effects. Treatment with N-acetylcysteine may be appropriate for patients who have taken more than 10 milliliters (mL) of pennyroyal oil. Researchers presented the medical histories of three women and one child who took pennyroyal and highlighted the medical histories of 18 women who took pennyroyal as reported in the medical literature. All of the patients who died after taking pennyroyal had evidence of kidney and liver damage. N-acetylcysteine treatment was effective in the child who tested positive for a pennyroyal byproduct called menthofuran. Two patients who took pennyroyal in tea form had immediate but not long-lasting stomach symptoms. Patients who have taken more than 10 mL of pennyroyal oil have shown evidence of system-wide damage. Except for the accidental overdose in the 22-month old child, most women took pennyroyal to induce an abortion.

Complications and side effects, Abortifacients, Medicinal plants, Herbals

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