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Health Hazards of Organic (mostly) Vapors

Health Hazards of Organic (mostly) Vapors. a review of the toxicities of vapors from substances that are liquids under normal conditions of use. Introduction. Used as solvents, fuels, chemical intermediates, etc.==> 1000’s of substances Aliphatic & alicyclic hydrocarbons

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Health Hazards of Organic (mostly) Vapors

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  1. Health Hazards of Organic (mostly) Vapors a review of the toxicities of vapors from substances that are liquids under normal conditions of use

  2. Introduction • Used as solvents, fuels, chemical intermediates, etc.==> 1000’s of substances • Aliphatic & alicyclic hydrocarbons • Aromatic hydrocarbons • Halogenated hydrocarbons • Oxygenated hydrocarbons • Nitrogen-containing compounds • Miscellaneous

  3. Aliphatic/Cyclic Aliphatic Hydrocarbons • Aliphatic/cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons are further classified as: • Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, arenes, cycloalkanes, cycloalkenes • Relatively high exposure levels • Primary health hazard = dermatitis • Primary physical hazard = fire & explosion • Examples: propane, isobutane, cyclohexane

  4. Aromatic Hydrocarbons • “Pleasant Odor” • Aromatics used in gasoline to increase octane rating • Examples include: toluene, xylenes, ethyl benzene, styrene, benzene • Benzene • Notorious for its ability to damage blood-forming systems ==>blood diseases • Symptoms: dyspnea, anemia, rapid HR, low BP, weakness, leukemia, death

  5. Halogenated Hydrocarbons • Consist of five elements: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine • Do not occur naturally; expensive • Symptoms include: narcosis, liver/kidney damage, increased HR, dermatitis • Examples: carbon tetrachloride, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methyl chloride*, refrigerants

  6. Oxygenated Hydrocarbons • Aliphatic alcohols • Cyclic & aromatic alcohols • Ethers • Aldehydes • Ketones • Acids • Esters

  7. Aliphatic Alcohols • All are narcotic • Examples: • Methanol - toxic to optic nerve; others are primarily narcotics • Ethanol - toxicity relatively low; have additives to produce “denatured” alcohols

  8. Cyclic & Aromatic Alcohols • Most are similar to aliphatic alcohols of similar molecular weight • Examples: • Benzyl alcohol • Phenol - Acts on CNS. Overexposure can lead to collapse and death and respiratory paralysis. There have been reported episodes of fatal exposure to phenol.

  9. Ethers • All narcotic, irritant in high concentrations • Fire/explosion hazard from peroxides • Examples • Ethyl ether • Diisopropyl ether –rapid forming peroxides • Unique hazards of chloromethyl ethers • Carcinogenic in several species

  10. Aldehydes • Known for skin and mucosal irritation and CNS effects. Also sensitizing properties. • Examples: • Formaldehyde – Sensitizer; potential carcinogen • Acetaldehyde –Eyes, nose and throat irritant; CNS depressant, kidney and reproductive effects; potential carcinogen

  11. Ketones • Narcotic type actions; irritant to eyes, nose, throat • Examples: • Acetone • Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) • Generally, ketones are pleasantly aromatics and have been used in perfumes, etc.

  12. Acids and Esters • Acids • Acids are highly soluble irritants • Formic acid one of most severe irritants • Breathing difficulty, skin burns, nausea, dermatitis, etc. • Esters • Most commonly, narcotics and irritants • Example: ethyl acetate

  13. Nitrogen-Containing Compounds • Nitro aliphatics • Halo-nitro compounds • Aliphatic nitrates • Aromatic nitro- compounds • Amines • Amides • Pyridine & derivatives • Hydrazines

  14. Nitro Aliphatic Compounds • Nitromethane - mild irritant & narcotic; some liver/kidney damage • Nitropropane, produce methemoglobin • Tetranitro methane - explosive • Chloropicrin - lachrimator; respiratory & skin irritant; used as war gas

  15. Aliphatic Nitrates • All are explosive (primary use) • Dilate blood vessels ==> drop in BP with severe headache (relieved with caffeine) • Produce methemoglobin • Readily absorbed through skin • Nitroglycerin, ethylene glycol dinitrate are most common examples

  16. Aromatic Nitro Compounds • Nitrobenzene - explosive; MeHb producer; cyanosis most frequent sign • Trinitro toluene - hepatitis; anemia; enzyme deficiency; fatal outcomes reported • Nitrophenols - increase basal metabolism; past use in treatment of obesity but cataracts, liver/kidney damage; death

  17. Amines • Aromatic amines • Example: aniline • absorbed through skin; produce MeHb, etc. • Polyamines • Very irritating; sensitizers • Alkanol amines • CNS stimulant; blood pressure effects; irritant (good warning)

  18. Amides • Dimethyl formamide • Excellent solvent; fire & explosion problems; may cause liver and kidney problems; foul odor • Acrylamide • Evidence of neurotoxicity with paralysis of “hind quarters”; absorbed by inhalation and skin; no warning; cancer suspect

  19. Pyridine and Hydrazines • Pyridine • Can be absorbed through the skin; strong “fish” odor, targets CNS, liver, kidneys, GI tract • Hydrazine • Used as rocket fuel; CNS stimulant; convulsions; absorbed through skin

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