Volatile Poisons Summary

General Overview of Volatile Poisons

  • Definition: Volatile poisons are chemicals that can vaporize and are hazardous to human health when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.

Types of Volatile Poisons

  • Alcohols

    • Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol)

    • Methyl Alcohol (Methanol)

  • Others:

    • Aniline

    • Carbon Monoxide

    • Cyanides

    • Carbon Tetrachloride

    • Formaldehyde

    • Hydrogen Sulfide

    • Iodine

    • Kerosene

    • Nitrogen Oxides

    • Phenols

    • Phosphorus

Ethyl Alcohol (C₂H₅OH)

Synonyms:

  • Grain alcohol, ethanol, rubbing alcohol, etc.

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 2

Uses:

  • Found in cosmetics, medicine, and as a solvent

Effects:

  • Acts as a central nervous system depressant impacting cognition and motor skills.

Symptoms of Toxicity:

  1. Emotional instability

  2. Impaired coordination and speech

  3. Flushed skin and rapid pulse

  4. Nausea and vomiting

  5. Drowsiness leading to coma

  6. Respiratory/circulatory failure leading to death

Treatment:

  1. Gastric lavage with warm water

  2. Administer stimulants (caffeine)

  3. IV fluids for hypotension and acidosis

  4. Multivitamins, particularly B complex

Methyl Alcohol (CH₃OH)

Synonyms:

  • Wood alcohol, methanol

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 3

Uses:

  • Solvent in products, antifreeze

Effects:

  • Causes CNS depression, metabolic acidosis, and visual disturbances leading to potential blindness.

Symptoms of Toxicity:

  1. Headache and weakness

  2. Nausea and vomiting

  3. Visual disturbances

  4. Hypotension and rapid pulse

  5. Death due to respiratory failure

Treatment:

  1. Gastric lavage, activated charcoal

  2. Administer ethanol

  3. Sodium bicarbonate to correct acidosis

  4. Hemodialysis in severe cases

Aniline (C₆H₅NH₂)

Synonyms:

  • Aminophen, blue oil

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 4

Uses:

  • Inks, plastics, rubber

Toxic Action:

  • Causes methemoglobinemia leading to asphyxia.

Symptoms:

  1. Cyanosis (grayish-blue skin)

  2. Headaches and nausea

  3. Central nervous symptoms such as confusion

Treatment:

  1. Gastric lavage

  2. Oxygen therapy

  3. Methylene blue for methemoglobinemia

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 4

Sources:

  • Vehicle emissions, industrial processes

Toxic Action:

  • Forms carboxyhemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport in blood.

Symptoms:

  1. Cognitive impairment

  2. Chest pain

  3. Hypoxia and possible death

Treatment:

  1. Remove from exposure

  2. Pure oxygen therapy

  3. Supportive care

Cyanides (KCN, HCN)

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 6

Uses:

  • Insecticides, metal processing

Toxic Action:

  • Inhibits cytochrome oxidase, preventing oxygen utilization.

Symptoms:

  1. Bitter almond odor

  2. Rapid breathing followed by respiratory failure

  3. Convulsions and unconsciousness

Treatment:

  1. Remove from exposure

  2. Amyl nitrite followed by sodium nitrite

  3. Oxygen therapy

Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl₄)

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 4

Uses:

  • Solvent, dry cleaning

Toxic Action:

  • Causes CNS depression and cellular necrosis in the liver and kidneys.

Symptoms:

  1. Nausea, vomiting

  2. Headaches

  3. Liver injury

Treatment:

  1. Fresh air and oxygen therapy

  2. Gastric lavage with saline

  3. Supportive care

Formaldehyde (HCHO)

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 3

Uses:

  • Preservatives, disinfectants

Toxic Action:

  • Corrosive to mucous membranes; causes systemic effects and inflammation.

Symptoms:

  1. Mucosal irritation

  2. Abdominal pain and vomiting

  3. Coma

Treatment:

  1. Gastric lavage

  2. Administer ammonia to offset toxicity

Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S)

Synonyms:

  • Stink damp

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 4

Toxic Action:

  • Rapidly prevents oxygen utilization; affects CNS badly.

Symptoms:

  1. Eye irritation

  2. Respiratory distress

  3. CNS symptoms and potential coma

Treatment:

  1. Fresh air and oxygen

  2. Amyl nitrite for acute poisoning

Iodine (I₂)

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 5

Uses:

  • Antiseptic and bactericide

Toxic Action:

  • Corrosive and irritant to gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms:

  1. Abdominal pain

  2. Severe vomiting

  3. Shock

Treatment:

  1. Milk to dilute

  2. Gastric lavage

Kerosene

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 3

Uses:

  • Solvent and fuel

Toxic Action:

  • Causes CNS depression and potential lung damage from aspiration.

Symptoms:

  1. Nausea and confusion

  2. Respiratory issues leading to asphyxia

Treatment:

  1. Activated charcoal

  2. Mineral oil to bind kerosene

Nitrogen Oxides

Toxic Action:

  • Forms methemoglobin; causes respiratory disturbances.

Treatment:

  1. Remove exposure

  2. Oxygen therapy

Phenols (C₆H₅OH)

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 4

Uses:

  • Disinfectants and germicides

Toxic Action:

  • Protoplasmic poison affecting proteins.

Symptoms:

  1. Vomiting and severe abdominal pain

  2. CNS effects

Treatment:

  1. Activated charcoal

  2. Gastric lavage

Phosphorus (P)

Toxicity Rating:

  • Level 6

Uses:

  • Pesticides and pyrotechnics

Toxic Action:

  • Causes burns and systemic poisoning.

Symptoms:

  1. Abdominal pain

  2. Garlic odor in breath

Treatment:

  1. Gastric lavage

  2. Isotonic IV fluids