Choking Agents primarily cause irritation and inflammation of bronchial tubes and lungs, leading to pulmonary edema.

• A. Nerve Agents
• B. Blood Agents
• C. Choking Agents
• D. Riot Control Agents

Answer: (C)

Choking agents are pulmonary irritants that damage the lining of the airways and alveoli, causing inflammation and increased vascular leak. That injury leads to fluid seeping into the lungs, producing pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange. Examples include chlorine and phosgene; phosgene is especially known for a delayed-onset edema after exposure.

Nerve agents disrupt nervous system signaling and cause a cholinergic crisis, with secretions and bronchoconstriction but not the primary edema pattern described. Blood agents inhibit cellular respiration at the mitochondrial level, leading to hypoxia rather than edema from airway injury. Riot control agents cause irritation and coughing or tearing but are not defined by pulmonary edema.