Respiritory: Impact of Lifestyle, Environment and Pollution

Question 1

How does size of a partical effect toxicity?

Answer 1

For the the same total volume of a toxic compound the finer partical will have a more toxic effect on the lung.

This is due to a larger total surface area, it can penetrate further into the respiritory tract and it harder for the immune system to clean up

Question 2

How does Asbestos toxicity work?

Answer 2

It is delayed by many years after exposure.

A slow cancer develops eventually crushing the lungs

Question 3

Fractions:

Inhalable
Extrathoracic
Thoracic
Respirable

Answer 3

Question 4

Why does the fibrous shape of asbestos make it dangerous?

Answer 4

Although they are quite long they can penetrate the respiritory system like a spear.

The length then means they can’t be scranned up by macrophages.

Not only can they not clear it but then the contents of the macrophages spill out causeing further damage

Question 5

Particle exposure - translocation

Answer 5

This is where particles actually get intot he blood and then get deposited in other areas of the body