Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Burning Metal Inhalation
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
Burning Metal Inhalation
by Tchiyuka, Oct 09, 2001 12:00AM
I work near the Trade Center Disaster site. As has been reported in the press, several fires (mainly metal beams) continue to burn at the disaster site. The air both inside and out side, often has an acrid aroma and there is usually a dull haze, where none existed prior to Sept. 11th. I have asthma, should I be concerned about what I'm breathing? What precautions can I take to protect my respirtory system?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Oct 10, 2001 12:00AM
, Oct 10, 2001 12:00AM
Many of the combustion products and particulate from the World Trade Center collapse can be irritating to the airways of asthmatics and non-asthmatics. Studies have shown that many of the agents previously thought to be simply irritating to the airways may be capable of inducing airway inflammation albeit different from the pattern of inflammation caused by allergens. As such someone with underlying asthma is likely to experience exacerbations of their disease with such exposures however if the exposure is not persistent the effects should wear off after removal and or increased anti-inflammatory treatment. Ideally a person with asthma should avoid exposure to these materials as much as possible and if their asthma is not so severe as to preclude them from using a respirator then that would be an option. It should have a HEPA filter plus filters for organic and chemical vapors. Alternatively if the resistance from these various canisters demands too much work of breathing for an asthmatic then a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) that provides positive pressure supplied air through a shielded hood would be appropriate. Increased anti-inflammatory medication such as inhaled steroids during this time of increased exposures are likely to reduce the number of symptoms and exacerbations. Use of a long acting inhaled bronchodilator such as Serevent® (salmeterol) or Foradil® (formoterol) will also provide "broncho protection" to prevent bronchospasm secondary to exposure to these various agents. Patients should always have a "rescue" inhaler containing albuterol or other short acting beta agonist for acute symptoms.
