Certified Industrial Hygienist Practice Test 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Pulmonary edema refers to the accumulation of fluid in the air sacs of the lungs, which can lead to serious respiratory issues. Certain substances can indeed contribute to this condition, and nickel carbonyl is one of them.

Nickel carbonyl, a toxic metal compound, is capable of causing pulmonary edema primarily due to its impact on the respiratory system when inhaled. It can cause direct irritation and damage to lung tissues, which may lead to an inflammatory response and increased permeability of the lung capillaries. This increased permeability allows fluid to leak into the alveoli, resulting in pulmonary edema.

Other substances listed do have significant health impacts, but their effects are not typically associated with the direct induction of pulmonary edema. They may cause different types of respiratory distress or systemic toxicities, but nickel carbonyl is specifically known for its ability to cause pulmonary edema among the given options. Understanding the specific mechanisms of toxicity and symptoms associated with various substances is crucial in industrial hygiene and health risk assessment.