[Ammonia as inhalatory irritant].

Bronchopulmonary damage caused by heavy exposure to ammonia may result in chronic obstructive bronchitis, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, in rare cases also in a combined ventilation pattern. Exposure to ammonia for several years, as it occurs in swine confinements in pig-fattening farms is associated with a shift-related decrease of FEV1, FEF25-75 and PEF. Several studies show that ammonia at the TLV (20 ppm) inconstantly causes severe cough. In...