What is the primary harmful effect of choking agents on the body?

Choking agents primarily affect the respiratory system, and their most significant harmful effect is extensive damage to alveolar tissue. These agents, often classified as pulmonary agents, act by irritating the respiratory tract and causing fluid to accumulate in the lungs, leading to pulmonary edema. This damage can severely impair gas exchange, making it difficult for the body to oxygenate blood and remove carbon dioxide. The alveoli, which are the tiny air sacs in the lungs where this gas exchange occurs, are particularly vulnerable to damage from choking agents. Breathing becomes labored, and if not treated promptly, it can result in respiratory failure and, ultimately, death.

While kidney failure, neurological impairment, and gastrointestinal distress can occur from exposure to various toxins or agents, they are not the primary harmful effects associated with choking agents. The severity of the impact on pulmonary function is what sets choking agents apart, making the destruction of alveolar tissue the most critical concern in these scenarios.