Solvent Poisoning - Symptoms, First Aid, Treatment, Consequences

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Poisoning with solvents

The concept "solvents" is generalized for a group of organic (hydrocarbons and their derivatives, alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, amides, ketones, etc.) and inorganic (water, halides, acids, low-melting metals, etc.) compounds with the ability dissolve various substances.

Source: depositphotos.com

The most popular solvents used both in everyday life and in production:

• ethanol (in the production of household chemicals, in the food, paint and varnish, perfumery, medicine, etc.);
• acetone (production of varnishes, explosives, pharmaceuticals, cleaning of various surfaces);
• turpentine (solvent for varnishes and paints);
• white spirit (dilution of oil paints, alkyd enamels and varnishes, mastics based on bitumen and rubber);
• toluene (used in chemical synthesis to dissolve polymers);
• ethyl acetate (solvent for nitrates, cellulose, fats, waxes, mixed with alcohol - a solvent in the production of artificial leather);
• tetrachlorethylene (used in professional dry cleaning of textile materials).

Solvents can be either single or multicomponent, which significantly expands the range of their functionality (for example, Solvent 648 contains 50% butyl acetate, 10% ethanol, 20% butanol, 20% toluene, or Solvent R-219, consisting of from 34% toluene, 33% cyclohexanone and 33% acetone).

The effects of solvents on the body are toxic in nature, most often noted:

• neurotoxic effect - harmful effects, often irreversible, on the central or peripheral nervous system and sensory organs;
• hematotoxicity - damage to hematopoietic germs;
• hepatotoxicity - damage to liver tissue;
• nephrotoxicity - damage to kidney tissue.

In addition to toxicity, for assessing the hazard of solvents to the body, the following are important:

• volatility (the rate of evaporation, which determines the concentration of vapors in the air);
• the ability to be absorbed through intact skin (depends on the ability to dissolve in fats, the higher it is, the higher the penetrating ability);
• the nature of the transformation in the body, since often intermediate metabolic products are more toxic than the solvent itself;
• the ability to accumulate in tissues and the rate of excretion;
• the amount of the received substance;
• the initial state of the victim's body.

How does solvent poisoning occur?

The solvent can be poisoned by ingestion, skin contact or inhalation of vapors. Poisoning is, as a rule, acute, it is also possible the development of chronic intoxication with prolonged professional contact. Most often, poisoning occurs in the following cases:

• violation of the technological process in production;
• neglect of personal protective equipment (goggles, gloves, respirator);
• violation of safety measures at the workplace;
• working with solvents indoors without adequate ventilation;
• the accumulation of vapors in the room where the solvents are stored, in case of violation of the tightness of the container;
• ingestion through negligence, including by children while playing;
• use for suicidal purposes.

Poisoning symptoms

Poisoning with various solvents is similar in clinical manifestations, which are formed by several symptom complexes: from the respiratory and visual organs, nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems. The predominance of certain manifestations is due to the way the toxin enters the body.

Toxic damage to the central nervous system manifests itself early after poisoning and can be both functional and organic in nature:

• dizziness, headache;
• asthenia;
• pronounced psychomotor agitation or depression of consciousness;
• confused, unintelligible speech;
• violation of orientation in time and space;
• hallucinations, delusions;
• instability and unsteadiness of gait;
• convulsions;
• reduction of all types of sensitivity;
• feeling of creeping on the skin;
• in severe cases - coma.

Symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract appear when using solvents inside:

• swelling and hyperemia of the oral mucosa and pharynx;
• burning along the esophagus;
• nausea, repeated bouts of vomiting;
• sharp pains in the epigastrium and abdomen;
• increased salivation;
• loose stools.

With the formation of ulcerative defects on the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach or intestines, an admixture of blood may appear in the vomit and feces.

A specific sign is the presence of a characteristic odor from the mouth (acetone, ethanol, turpentine), which makes it possible to accurately determine the cause of the poisoning if the victim is unconscious or poorly accessible to contact.

In case of poisoning with solvent vapors, the leading symptoms of damage to the organs of vision and the respiratory system are:

• hyperemia of the conjunctiva;
• feeling of grit in the eyes;
• lacrimation;
• profuse mucous discharge from the nose (rhinorrhea);
• perspiration, burning sensation in the nasopharynx;
• nasal congestion, difficulty breathing;
• hoarseness of voice.

Source: depositphotos.com

On the part of the cardiovascular system, there is a sharp decrease in blood pressure (BP), an increase in heart rate, and stabbing pains in the heart are possible.

In addition to acute, in conditions of constant professional contact, the development of chronic poisoning with solvent vapors or with their systematic contact with the skin is possible.

Signs of chronic intoxication:

• change in blood count (increased ESR, anemia, change in the number of formed elements);
• the development of asthenovegetative syndrome (fatigue, frequent headaches, decreased concentration and memory, sleep disturbances, irritable weakness);
• aching pain and discomfort in the right hypochondrium;
• icteric staining of the skin, sclera and mucous membranes;
• violation of peripheral circulation (pallor and coldness of the extremities);
• the appearance of shortness of breath with light exertion;
• dystrophic changes in the myocardium (stitching and aching pains, palpitations, a feeling of interruptions in the work of the heart);
• dysfunction of the urinary apparatus (decrease in the daily amount of urine, edema, aching pain in the lumbar region).

First aid for solvent poisoning

1. Evacuate the victim from the affected area.
2. Provide fresh air (open windows, unfasten tight clothing).
3. If the victim is unconscious, turn his head to one side to prevent possible aspiration of vomit.
4. Rinse nose, exposed skin and mouth with plenty of running water.
5. For a long time (15-20 minutes) rinse open eyes with a stream of running water, drip 1-2 drops of vaseline oil into them.
6. Give the victim an alkaline drink (still mineral water, milk, tea).

If there is data on the use of the solvent inside:

1. Rinse the stomach, for which drink 1-1.5 liters of warm water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate and provoke a vomiting urge by pressing on the root of the tongue;
2. Take a saline laxative (magnesium sulfate).
3. Take enterosorbent (Enterosgel, Atoxil, Polysorb).

When is medical attention required?

In case of poisoning with solvents, in all cases, you must immediately call an ambulance team.

Treatment is carried out in the toxicology department or in the intensive care unit.

The measures are aimed at the earliest possible elimination of the poison from the body (detoxification), maintenance of vital functions (primarily respiration and cardiac activity), then symptomatic therapy is carried out, the tasks of which are to alleviate the patient's condition and restore the functions of the affected organs.

Possible consequences

The most common consequences of solvent poisoning are:

• malignant blood diseases;
• acute or chronic renal or hepatic failure;
• pancreatitis, inflammation of liver tissue and bile ducts;
• bronchial asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, rhinitis, tracheitis;
• heart failure;
• hepatic coma.

Prevention

To prevent solvent poisoning at work, you must:

• work in overalls using personal protective equipment;
• strictly observe all stages and requirements of the technological process;
• in the room where solvents are used and stored, ensure effective ventilation;
• comply with workplace safety requirements.

To prevent household poisoning:

• do not work with solvents in an enclosed area without adequate ventilation;
• do not work with solvents without a respirator, gloves, goggles;
• keep chemicals out of the reach of children;
• do not store solvents in unlabeled containers next to food.

Olesya Smolnyakova Therapy, clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy About the author

Education: higher, 2004 (GOU VPO "Kursk State Medical University"), specialty "General Medicine", qualification "Doctor". 2008-2012 - Postgraduate student of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, KSMU, Candidate of Medical Sciences (2013, specialty "Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology"). 2014-2015 - professional retraining, specialty "Management in education", FSBEI HPE "KSU".

The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!