The Toxic Hazards of Industrial and Occupational Chemicals



The Toxic Hazards of Industrial and Occupational Chemicals





Basic information on the toxicity of many of the most commonly encountered and toxicologically significant industrial chemicals is provided in Table IV–4. The table is intended to expedite the recognition of potentially hazardous exposure situations and therefore provides information such as vapor pressures, warning properties, physical appearance, occupational exposure standards and guidelines, and hazard classification codes, which may also be useful in the assessment of an exposure situation. Table IV–4 is divided into three sections: health hazards, exposure guidelines, and comments. To use the table correctly, it is important to understand the scope and limitations of the information it provides.







Table IV-4 Health Hazard Summaries for Industrial and Occupational Chemicals 






The chemicals included in Table IV–4 were selected on the basis of the following criteria: (1) toxic potential, (2) prevalence of use, (3) public health concern, and (4) availability of adequate toxicologic, regulatory, and physical and chemical property information. Several governmental and industrial lists of “hazardous chemicals” were used. A number of chemicals were omitted because no toxicologic information could be found, there are no regulatory standards, or they have very limited use. Chemicals that were of specific interest, those with existing exposure recommendations, and those of frequent use (even if of low toxicity) were included.








  1. Health hazard information. The health hazards section of Table IV–4 focuses primarily on the basic hazards associated with possible inhalation of or skin exposure to chemicals in a workplace. It is based almost entirely on the occupational health literature. Much of our understanding of the potential effects of chemicals on human health is derived from occupational exposures, the levels of which are typically many times greater than those of environmental exposures. Moreover, the information in Table IV–4 unavoidably emphasizes acute health effects. Much more is known about the acute effects of chemicals on human health than about their chronic effects. The rapid onset of symptoms after exposure makes the causal association more readily apparent for acute health effects.




    1. The table is not a comprehensive source of the toxicology and medical information needed to manage a severely symptomatic or poisoned patient. Medical management information and advice for specific poisonings are found in Section I (see “Emergency Evaluation and Treatment”, and “Decontamination”) and Section II (see “Caustic and Corrosive Agents”; “Gases, Irritant”; and “Hydrocarbons”).



    2. Hydrocarbons, which are defined broadly as chemicals containing carbon and hydrogen, make up the majority of substances in Table IV–4. Hydrocarbons have a wide range of chemical structures and, not surprisingly, a variety of toxic effects. There are a few common features of hydrocarbon exposure, and the reader is directed to Section II, for information on general diagnosis and treatment. Some common features include the following:




      1. Skin. Dermatitis caused by defatting or removal of oils in the skin is common, especially with prolonged contact. Some agents can cause frank burns.



      2. Arrhythmias. Many hydrocarbons, most notably fluorinated, chlorinated, and aromatic compounds, can sensitize the heart to the arrhythmogenic effects of epinephrine, resulting in premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), ventricular tachycardia, or fibrillation. Even simple aliphatic compounds such as butane occasionally can have this effect.




        1. Because arrhythmias may not occur immediately, cardiac monitoring for 24 hours is recommended for all victims who have had significant hydrocarbon exposure (eg, syncope, coma, and arrhythmias).

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Jun 13, 2016 | Posted by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE | Comments Off on The Toxic Hazards of Industrial and Occupational Chemicals

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