US EPA

1390814 

Journal Article 

Sensory Irritation by Capsaicin 

Alarie, Y; Keller, LW 

1973 

0 

Environmental Physiology and Biochemistry
ISSN: 0300-5429 

NIOSH/00036530 

3 

4 

169-181 

Aerosols of capsaicin were shown to initiate sensory irritation of the upper respiratory tract in mice. The degree of sensory irritation was related to the concentration of capsaicin. Desensitization followed sensory irritation when high aerosol concentrations were used, whereas at low concentrations partial desensitization could be obtained with repeated exposures. Animals desensitized to capsaicin were also partially or completely desensitized to the sensory irritating action of o-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile and sulfur-dioxide (7446095). Subcutaneous injections of capsaicin prior to exposure prevented completely or in part the sensory irritation reaction due to aerosols of capsaicin (404864) or other sensory irritants such as chloracetophenone (1341248), o-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile, diphenylaminochloroarsine. 

DCN-168781; Respiratory irritation; Respiratory system disorders; Sensory disorders; Nervous system disorders; Respiratory irritants; Air contaminants; Inorganic gases; Organo arsenic compounds; Chlorinated compounds; Fungicides