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Published byAgatha Marsh Modified over 8 years ago
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Chemical Agents Routes of Entry and the Body’s Defences
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Routes of Entry l Skin contact l Inhalation l Ingestion l Injection
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Inhalation l The lung is the most vulnerable part of the body l Even small concentrations of a toxic agent in the atmosphere being inhaled can, after a period, develop a build-up of toxicant in the body
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Skin Contact l Has many layers of protection and does not allow solid or gaseous substances to be absorbed, so only liquids provide a hazard l Skin of hands, arms & legs usually has some breaks in its surface, do risk of entry by injection is a possibility
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Ingestion l Gastrointestinal tract is least vulnerable area of the body l Possibility of solid or liquid toxicants being ingested is very limited
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Local Effects l Confined to specific area of body where contact with the toxic material occurs l For example, a sensitiser may cause a specific allergic reaction on contact with the skin or respiratory tract
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Systemic Effects l Occur at organs/parts of the body distant from the site where initial contact with the toxic substance was made l Common target organs include lungs, liver, nervous system, bone marrow, kidneys and skin
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Defence Mechanisms of the Body l Respiratory Defence l Lachrymation l Immune Response l Inflammatory Response l Fibrotic Response
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Respiratory Defence l Moist hairs in the nose trap large particles l Other particles are sneezed or coughed out l Very tiny particles are breathed in and back out again l Solid deposits in the lower respiratory airway are moved up the ciliary escalator l 0.5 - 7 microns is the respirable range
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Respiratory Protection l Phagocytosis Amoeba like cells which engulf particles of dust and remove them Can cause formation of elastic scar tissue on lungs for certain dusts, which leads to reduced lung function
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Lachrymation l Eye is protected from injury by bony structure which houses it l Eyebrows divert liquids to outer side l Eyelashes prevent particles from entering eyes and cause lids to close rapidly if touched l Exposed surface of eye is continuously moistened by tears (lachrymation) - any irritation of the eye causes an immediate increase in secretion and the irritation is diluted or washed away
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Immune Response l Rash occurs on skin in response to contact with certain substances l Once sensitisation occurs, further exposure to the substance even at low concentrations will cause inflammation
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Inflammatory Response l The reaction of tissue to a harmful agent which is insufficient to kill the tissue l A defensive process, but can result in disease if called upon to act for too long l Collagen is formed to repair damaged tissue
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