Abstract
The respiratory system includes the upper respiratory system (mainly the nasal passages) and the lower respiratory system (the airways of the lungs). As mentioned earlier, the respiratory system is the primary route of exposure of the body to toxic substances. Respiratory rates vary tremendously by age, gender, size, and activity level. An average adult human inhales approximately 10,000 liters of air per day. We inhale and exhale approximately 500 ml of air with each breath and take about 12 breaths per minute during quite periods. Ventilation increases rapidly with exertion.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
ATS. Standardization of spirometry: 1994 update. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995; 152: 1107–1136.
Bates DV. Respiratory function in disease. WB Saunders CO, Philadelphia, 1989. p 132.
Calabrese EJ. Methodological approaches to deriving environmental and occupational health standards. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1978. P 55/
Calderon-Garciduenas L, Rodriguez-Alcaraz A, Villarreal-Calderon A, et al. Nasal epithelium as a sentinel for airborne environmental pollution. Toxicol Sci 1998; 46: 352–264.
Gerrity TR, Weaver RA, Berntsen J, et al. Extrathoracic and intrathoracic removal of 03 in tidal-breathing humans. J Appl Physiol 1988; 65: 393–400.
Koenig JQ, Morgan MS, Horike M, Pierson WE. The effects of sulfur oxides on nasal and lung function in adolescents with extrinsic asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1985; 76: 813–818.
Speizer FE, Frank R. The uptake and release of SO2 by the human nose. Arch Environ Health 1966; 12: 725–728.
West JB. Respiratory physiology-- the essentials. Fifth Edition. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, 1995.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Koenig, J.Q. (2000). Physiology of the Respiratory System. In: Health Effects of Ambient Air Pollution. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4569-9_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4569-9_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7063-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-4569-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive