Asphyxiants such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, and their derivatives can cause severe health issues by disrupting the body’s ability to get or use oxygen. These gases are hazardous because they are often hard to detect and can significantly harm the respiratory system.
General Characteristics of Asphyxiants
Asphyxiant gases are toxic and interfere with respiratory functions. Unlike inert gases that displace oxygen, asphyxiants have specific biochemical effects that make them harmful.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Description: Odorless, tasteless, colorless, and non-irritant gas.
- Toxicity: Prevents oxygen from being transported by the blood.
- Sources: Incomplete combustion of organic materials produces Carbon Monoxide.
- Properties: Easily diffuses, mixes well with air, and forms explosive mixtures at high concentrations.
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
- Description: Colorless gas with a characteristic rotten egg smell.
- Toxicity: Inhibits cellular respiration and can paralyze the sense of smell at high concentrations.
- Nature and various industrial processes produce Hydrogen Sulfide.
- Hydrogen Sulfide is heavier than air, flammable, and reactive with strong oxidants.
Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN)
- Description: Colorless gas with a bitter almond smell (not detectable by everyone).
- Toxicity: Inhibits cellular respiration.
- Sources: Can be present as a gas or liquid in workplaces.
- Properties: Weakly acidic, mixes with water and alcohol, and reacts violently with oxidants.
Cyanide Compounds
- Sodium Cyanide is a white crystalline powder that produces HCN when in contact with acids.
- Potassium Cyanide: White deliquescent solid that releases HCN upon contact with acids.
- Calcium Cyanide: White crystalline solid that liberates HCN gradually in aqueous solutions.
Key Points to Remember
- Detection: Many of these gases are difficult to detect due to their colorless and often odorless nature.
- Mechanism: They either prevent oxygen transport in the blood or inhibit cellular respiration.
- Safety: Proper ventilation, detection systems, and protective equipment are crucial in environments with these gases.
Occupational Exposures
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Uses: Widely used in the chemical industry as syngas.
- Sources of Exposure: Poorly ventilated engine rooms, motor vehicle garages, coal and fuel furnaces, incineration facilities, demolition explosives, and fires are sources of exposure.
- At-Risk Occupations: Firefighters, garage personnel, road tunnel workers, metallurgical workers, gas, petroleum, and chemical industry workers, car mechanics, and incineration process workers are at-risk occupations.
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
- Uses: Limited industrial uses involved hydrodesulfurizing natural gas and crude oil.
- Sources of Exposure: Rotting organic waste, sewage treatment plants, viscose cellulose production, sugar production, farming operations, and wastewater canal inspections are the sources of exposure.
- Risks: Can cause fatal accidents in enclosed spaces without proper respiratory protection.
Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN)
- Uses: Used in the industrial synthesis of nitrogen-containing organic compounds.
- Sources of Exposure: Chemical plants, rodent control in grain storage, gold mining, and combustion of nitrogen-containing organic materials.
- Risks: Exposure during chemical reactions, fumigation, and mining processes are the risks.
Health Effects and Diagnostic Criteria
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Toxicity: Binds strongly to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport.
- Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness and death are the symptoms.
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
- Toxicity: Binds to iron in cytochrome-c oxidase, impairing cellular respiration.
- Symptoms: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, cough, shortness of breath, and, in high concentrations, respiratory failure and death are symptoms.
Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN)
- Toxicity: Binds to iron in cytochromes, blocking cellular respiration.
- Symptoms: Rapid breathing, dizziness, nausea, and, in severe cases, seizures, loss of consciousness, and death are symptoms.
Respiratory Tract Effects
Inhalation of hydrogen sulfide and cyanide can cause:
- Mild irritation of mucous membranes
- Chemical pneumonitis
- Upper airway inflammation
- Cough and bronchospasm
- Irritant asthma
- Severe pulmonary edema and respiratory failure
Carbon monoxide does not cause irritant effects but can lead to hypoxia and its related complications.
- Symptoms of Respiratory Tract are Cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, wheezing, rapid heart rate, and chest pain.
Skin and Eye Effects
Direct contact with asphyxiant gases or their liquid phase can cause irritation, burns, and corrosion.
Diagnostic Criteria
- Carbon Monoxide: Diagnostic criteria of carbon monoxide are erythematous skin lesions, retinal hemorrhages, and visual alterations.
- Hydrogen Sulfide: Diagnostic criteria of hydrogen sulfide are Eye irritation, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, skin irritation, and frostbite.
- Hydrogen Cyanide: Skin and eye irritation.
Toxic Encephalopathy
Carbon Monoxide
- Toxicity: Binds to hemoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin, and preventing oxygen transport are the toxicity of Carbon Monoxide.
- Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, disorientation, visual disturbances, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness and death are symptoms.
Hydrogen Sulfide
- Hydrogen Sulfide Toxicity impairs cellular respiration.
- Symptoms of Hydrogen Sulfide are Headache, vertigo, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and, in high doses, sudden loss of consciousness and death.
Hydrogen Cyanide
- Hydrogen Cyanide Toxicity blocks cellular respiration.
- Symptoms of Hydrogen Cyanide are Headache, dizziness, vertigo, bitter almond taste, agitation, confusion, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, chest pain, loss of consciousness, seizures, cardiovascular shock, coma, and death.
Hypoxic Brain Injury
Exposure to asphyxiant gases reduces inspirable oxygen, leading to hypoxic hypoxia, which can cause severe brain damage and neurological deficits.
- Clinical Manifestations of Hypoxic Brain Injury are memory loss, reduced motor function, concentration difficulties, seizures, coma, and brain death.
Obliterative Bronchiolitis
Exposure to asphyxiant gases can lead to lung damage, obstruction of small airways, and impaired lung function.
- Clinical Manifestations of Obliterative Bronchiolitis are dry cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
Exacerbation of Heart Disease and Encephalopathy due to Carbon Monoxide
Symptoms: Angina, heart attack, cognitive and behavioral changes.
Ototoxic Hearing Loss due to Asphyxiants
Exposure to asphyxiant gases can cause permanent hearing loss.
- Symptoms are Tinnitus and hearing loss.
Prevention
To prevent exposure to dangerous asphyxiants:
- Enclose sources of asphyxiants.
- Use personal protective equipment such as breathing apparatus.
- Employ real-time measurement devices for carbon monoxide and colorimetric monitors for hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide.
- Restrict access to areas where hazardous concentrations can build up.
- Train personnel and provide on-site real-time measurement and medical assistance.
Occupational Exposure Limits
- 25 ppm an 8-hour TWA for Carbon Monoxide to maintain blood HbCO levels below 3.5%.
- One ppm as an 8hr TWA and five ppm as a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for Hydrogen Sulfide.
- 4.7 ppm as an STEL for Hydrogen Cyanide.
These limits and safety measures are essential to protect workers’ health and ensure they can safely escape in an emergency.
In conclusion, asphyxiants are diverse gases that significantly threaten human health by disrupting oxygen transport or cellular respiration. These gases can be colorless, odorless, and challenging to detect, making them even more dangerous.
This article has explored several common asphyxiants’ properties, sources, and health effects, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and cyanide. We’ve also highlighted the importance of occupational exposure limits and safety measures such as proper ventilation, personal protective equipment, and real-time monitoring systems.
By understanding the dangers of asphyxiants and implementing appropriate safety protocols, we can significantly reduce the risk of exposure and protect workers in various industries. Remember, prevention is crucial when dealing with these potentially life-threatening gases. Proper equipment selection is essential.
Hi X22keync, Thanks for your email and positive vibes! I appreciate you reaching out to HealthGodzilla.com. Is there anything specific…
Hey people!!!!! Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!
Hey, X22keync! 👋 Thanks for stopping by! 😊 We’re happy to have you and wish you good luck! 🍀 Feel…
Hey people!!!!! Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!
Leave a Reply