Although much of the toxicology of gases is applicable to the toxicology of vapors, this chapter focuses on substances that meet the criteria for classical gases – that is, matter consisting of particles that has neither a defined volume nor a defined shape at standard temperatures and pressures. The chapter is divided into two overarching sections: general principles and specific toxic gases. Issues pertaining to toxicokinetics and basic dosimetric adjustments for human risk assessment are covered in the general principles section. The section on specific toxic gases covers gases that are of veterinary significance as well as the toxic gases that humans (including veterinarians) are likely to be exposed to in clinical and agricultural settings, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, oxides of nitrogen (silo filler’s disease), gaseous ammonia (including anhydrous ammonia), and smoke inhalation.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.