What effects does the chemical in ammonia have on the respiratory system?

Answer 1

The Center for Disease Control's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry provides information on the effects of ammonia on the respiratory system. Ammonia is highly irritating to the respiratory system and can cause swelling and narrowing of the throat and bronchi, with coughing and accumulation of fluid in the lungs often occurring. Swelling and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) can cause airway obstruction. The severity of injury produced by exposure to ammonia depends on the duration of exposure, concentration of gas, and how deeply it was inhaled. The most severe exposure would cause immediate narrowing of the throat, airway obstruction and accumulation of fluid in the lungs, causing low blood oxygen levels. Children are more vulnerable to the effects of ammonia as their airways are smaller and they may not evacuate quickly enough when exposed. Chronic exposure (long term) can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, including chronic cough, Asthma, and lung fibrosis (scarring of lung tissue).