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Health Hazards of Gases

Health Hazards of Gases. A review of the toxicities of substances that exist in the gaseous state under normal conditions of use. Asphyxiants. Asphyxiants Simple: replace oxygen Chemical: disrupt transport or use of oxygen Hypoxia Anoxia –

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Health Hazards of Gases

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  1. Health Hazards of Gases A review of the toxicities of substances that exist in the gaseous state under normal conditions of use

  2. Asphyxiants • Asphyxiants • Simple: replace oxygen • Chemical: disrupt transport or use of oxygen • Hypoxia • Anoxia – • Symptoms: euphoria, increased respiration & HR, headache, fatigue, unconsciousness, death

  3. Oxygen Deficiency • The brain is very sensitive to oxygen deficiency • Normal oxygen: 19.5 - 21.5% • Encountered in tanks, silos, mines, poorly ventilated spaces • Man may be able to hold breath for ~ 1minute with normal levels of oxygen in the air, but will collapse in seconds with 5% oxygen.

  4. Carbon Monoxide (CO) • Colorless, odorless, toxic gas • Produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels • Response • 50 PPM = PEL • 200 PPM = slight headache • 400 PPM = frontal headache • 800 PPM = dizziness, nausea, convulsions, insensible

  5. Hydrogen Sulfide • Properties • Foul odor • No industrial use, but formed in many processes and decay of sulfur-containing materials • Chronic effects • Olfactory fatigue, eye irritation leading to “halo” and “blue fog” effects, no apparent long-term effects • Acute effects • Rapidly oxidized in the blood, acts directly on respiratory control center

  6. Hydrogen Cyanide • Common source of cyanide poisoning • Rapid absorption via inhalation and through skin • Rapid onset of symptoms • Headache, nausea, weakness, confusion, collapse, death • Antidotes and chances of recovery

  7. Irritants • Irritant – A substance producing an irritating effect when it contacts the skin, eyes, nose, or respiratory system. • Solubility • Can influence the part of the respiratory tract that is effected

  8. Irritants of the Upper Respiratory Tract • Are highly soluble in water • Generally have good warning properties • Usually do NOT produce chronic effects • Examples: • Ammonia • Ammonium hydroxide • Acid gases (HF, HCl, HBr), sulfur oxides

  9. Irritants of the Lower Respiratory Tract • Have low but significant water solubility or hydrolyze in moist mucous • Usually are not irritating to breathe • Almost always produce delayed effects • Examples • Nitrogen dioxide • Phosgene

  10. Irritants of the Whole Respiratory Tract • Have intermediate levels of solubility • Produce some warning but not sufficiently • Can affect the whole respiratory system • Examples • Halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine) • Ozone

  11. Summary • Simple asphyxiants • Chemical asphyxiants • URT irritants • LRT irritants • WRT irritants • Asphyxiating irritants • Arsine • Stibine • Germane

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