HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS INDUCED ACUTE LUNG INJURY: MOLECULAR MECHANISM AND TREATMENT APPROACH WITH NOVEL THERAPY

Pulmonary toxicants are substances that can cause damage to the respiratory system, including the lungs and airways. These toxicants can come from various sources, such as smoking, pollution, and industrial chemicals. Understanding the effects of pulmonary toxicants is crucial in protecting human health and preventing respiratory diseases. Exposure to these substances may lead to oxidative and inflammatory cascades, that can damage the lungs and cause respiratory problems including lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and emphysema. Exposure may be associated with addictions, during occupational, or drug therapy, accidentally or intentionally as an act of war. The most common pulmonary toxicant is Cigarette smoke and second-hand smoke which are causing 7 million death per year and other significant health risk to the public. Ricin and abrin are highly lethal plant-derived toxins that can cause severe respiratory distress and even death if inhaled. These toxins can be used as bioterrorism agents, making it essential to understand their effects and develop treatment strategies. On the other hand, bleomycin and cyclophosphamide are medications used to treat several types of cancer. Several studies reported that cyclophosphamide and bleomycin cause pulmonary toxicity in human patients and animals. Similarly, 2.5-micron particles, Diesel exhaust and naphthalene, which common air pollutants, have also been linked to respiratory problems. Paraquat, an herbicide, has been shown to exacerbate lung injury and inflammation. In the present chapter, we have summarized the variety of pulmonary toxicants their way of exposure and the mechanism of toxicity that will help in understanding toxic effects and developing effective preventive and treatment strategies for protecting public health.