Download Training - Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Health Hazards of
Organic (mostly) Vapors
a review of the toxicities of
vapors from substances that
are liquids under normal
conditions of use
Introduction
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Used as solvents, fuels, chemical
intermediates, etc.==> 1000’s of
substances
Aliphatic & alicyclic hydrocarbons
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Halogenated hydrocarbons
Oxygenated hydrocarbons
Nitrogen-containing compounds
Miscellaneous
Aliphatic/Cyclic Aliphatic
Hydrocarbons
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Aliphatic/cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons
are further classified as:
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Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, arenes,
cycloalkanes, cycloalkenes
Relatively high exposure levels
Primary health hazard = dermatitis
Primary physical hazard = fire &
explosion
Examples: propane, isobutane,
cyclohexane
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
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“Pleasant Odor”
Aromatics used in gasoline to increase
octane rating
Examples include: toluene, xylenes, ethyl
benzene, styrene, benzene
Benzene
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Notorious for its ability to damage bloodforming systems ==>blood diseases
Symptoms: dyspnea, anemia, rapid HR, low BP,
weakness, leukemia, death
Halogenated Hydrocarbons
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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
Oxygenated Hydrocarbons
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Aliphatic alcohols
Cyclic & aromatic alcohols
Ethers
Aldehydes
Ketones
Acids
Esters
Aliphatic Alcohols
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All are narcotic
Examples:
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Methanol - toxic to optic nerve; others
are primarily narcotics
Ethanol - toxicity relatively low; have
additives to produce “denatured”
alcohols
Cyclic & Aromatic Alcohols
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Most are similar to aliphatic alcohols
of similar molecular weight
Examples:
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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.
Ethers
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All narcotic, irritant in high
concentrations
Fire/explosion hazard from peroxides
Examples
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Ethyl ether
Diisopropyl ether –rapid forming
peroxides
Unique hazards of chloromethyl ethers
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Carcinogenic in several species
Aldehydes
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Known for skin and mucosal irritation
and CNS effects. Also sensitizing
properties.
Examples:
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Formaldehyde – Sensitizer; potential
carcinogen
Acetaldehyde –Eyes, nose and throat
irritant; CNS depressant, kidney and
reproductive effects; potential
carcinogen
Ketones
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Narcotic type actions; irritant to
eyes, nose, throat
Examples:
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Acetone
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
Generally, ketones are pleasantly
aromatics and have been used in
perfumes, etc.
Acids and Esters
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Acids
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Acids are highly soluble irritants
Formic acid one of most severe
irritants
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Breathing difficulty, skin burns, nausea,
dermatitis, etc.
Esters
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Most commonly, narcotics and irritants
Example: ethyl acetate
Nitrogen-Containing
Compounds
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Nitro aliphatics
Halo-nitro compounds
Aliphatic nitrates
Aromatic nitro- compounds
Amines
Amides
Pyridine & derivatives
Hydrazines
Nitro Aliphatic Compounds
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Nitromethane - mild irritant &
narcotic; some liver/kidney damage
Nitropropane, produce
methemoglobin
Tetranitro methane - explosive
Chloropicrin - lachrimator;
respiratory & skin irritant; used as
war gas
Aliphatic Nitrates
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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
Aromatic Nitro Compounds
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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
Amines
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Aromatic amines
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Example: aniline
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Polyamines
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absorbed through skin; produce MeHb, etc.
Very irritating; sensitizers
Alkanol amines
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CNS stimulant; blood pressure effects;
irritant (good warning)
Amides
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Dimethyl formamide
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Excellent solvent; fire & explosion
problems; may cause liver and kidney
problems; foul odor
Acrylamide
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Evidence of neurotoxicity with
paralysis of “hind quarters”; absorbed
by inhalation and skin; no warning;
cancer suspect
Pyridine and Hydrazines
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Pyridine
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Can be absorbed through the skin;
strong “fish” odor, targets CNS, liver,
kidneys, GI tract
Hydrazine
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Used as rocket fuel; CNS stimulant;
convulsions; absorbed through skin