Chlorine poisoning
Chlorine belongs to the biogenic elements of the halogen group and is present in the form of compounds in all living organisms.
Chlorine ions are involved in maintaining the osmotic balance of the internal environments of the body, ensuring water metabolism, reducing the activity of nerve cells, creating optimal conditions for the functioning of gastric acid enzymes, and the production of hydrochloric acid. The daily rate of chlorine consumption (at least 0.8 g) is met mainly due to table salt, NaCl.
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The simple substance chlorine is a toxic yellow-green gas with a pungent odor and a metallic taste. Let's well dissolve in water and organic liquids, due to which it is widely used in everyday life and in industry:
- disinfection of water (drinking, waste water, in public places);
- whitening of fabrics at home and at work;
- component of pesticides for the destruction of insects and rodents;
- as a component of a chemical warfare agent;
- production of plastics and pure metals;
- as a food additive (E 925);
- for the production of medicines.
Due to its high toxicity, the use of chlorine in a number of countries is limited: when chlorine-containing garbage is burned, dioxin is formed, a dangerous poison with mutagenic, immunosuppressive, carcinogenic, teratogenic and embryotoxic effects.
The maximum permissible concentration of chlorine in the room is 0.1 mg / m 3, in production - 1 mg / m 3.
How does chlorine poisoning happen?
Most often, chlorine poisoning occurs in the following cases:
- inhalation of gas vapors;
- when a concentrated aqueous solution gets on the skin and mucous membranes;
- accidental use of chlorine-containing liquid, pesticides;
- taking chlorine-containing substances for the purpose of suicide;
- work in production with safety violations;
- visiting the pool (with an incorrect disinfection mode).
Household chemicals and chlorine-containing insecticides or pesticides are especially dangerous for children who can ingest them while playing. Such poisoning in pediatric practice is often fatal.
Poisoning symptoms
Depending on the concentration and exposure time, 3 degrees of poisoning are distinguished: mild, medium, severe. At extremely high chlorine concentrations, a fulminant form of the lesion can develop.
In case of mild poisoning, the victim presents the following complaints:
- hyperemia of the conjunctiva, oral mucosa;
- tickling in the nasopharynx;
- sneezing, dry cough;
- lacrimation, the outflow of clear discharge from the nose (rhinorrhea);
- burning in the eyes.
Symptoms of intoxication of moderate severity and severe:
- severe general weakness;
- oppression of consciousness;
- hoarseness of voice;
- frequent shallow unproductive breathing;
- short-term respiratory arrest, choking;
- harsh painful cough, initially dry, then moist, with frothy pink sputum;
- chest pain, worse when coughing;
- decrease in blood pressure (blood pressure), decrease in heart rate;
- headache, dizziness;
- convulsions;
- nausea, vomiting.
In a clinic of moderate severity and severe chlorine intoxication, 3 periods can be conditionally distinguished: a latent period (up to a maximum of 1 day, on average 4-6 hours), a period of pulmonary edema and resolution (3-4 days), ending with recovery or worsening of the condition due to the addition of a secondary infections.
The fulminant form of chlorine intoxication develops within 5-30 minutes: there is a persistent spasm of the larynx with a narrowing of the glottis, leading to respiratory arrest, cyanosis, swelling of the veins on the face and neck, loss of consciousness, convulsions, involuntary urination and defecation. With this form of poisoning, as a rule, the death of the victim occurs.
If the concentrated chlorine solution is in contact with the skin, acne, contact dermatitis (redness and peeling of the skin, intense itching at the site of contact) may occur.
If the poisoning is provoked by the ingestion of chlorinated water, abdominal pain, loose stools are added.
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First aid for chlorine poisoning
In case of chlorine poisoning, it is necessary to evacuate the victim from the lesion or break off contact with the poisonous substance, and then call an ambulance, and only then proceed to provide first aid.
- Provide oxygen access by opening a window, unbuttoning tight clothing.
- Rinse your eyes, nasal passages, rinse your mouth with 2% baking soda solution (1 tsp of soda in a 200 ml glass of water) or plenty of running water.
- Give an alkaline drink (mineral water, milk).
- Inhale with baking soda.
- Apply petroleum jelly or olive oil to your eyes.
- Provide physical and psycho-emotional peace.
- If the poisoning is caused by the use of a chlorine-containing liquid, it is necessary to rinse the stomach (for this you need to drink 1-1.5 liters of warm water and induce an emetic urge by pressing on the root of the tongue).
When is medical attention required?
If there is a suspicion of chlorine poisoning, it is necessary to seek qualified help in 100% of cases.
Since it is not always possible to assess the degree of poisoning by clinical manifestations in the first hours, the first day the victim should be under round-the-clock medical supervision. This is necessary in order to timely prevent the development of life-threatening complications.
Chlorine poisoning is treated under stationary conditions. The victim is provided with oxygen supply, hemodynamics stabilized, vital functions are supported - respiration, cardiac activity, metabolic processes. Prevention of complications and symptomatic therapy are carried out.
Possible consequences
Complications with a mild degree of poisoning, as a rule, are absent, symptoms persist up to several days, health is fully restored.
With moderate and severe degrees, the following complications may develop (both acute and later becoming chronic):
- conjunctivitis;
- diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract (pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, tracheobronchitis, bronchitis);
- bronchiectasis;
- toxic pneumonia;
- toxic pulmonary edema;
- emphysema of the lungs, pneumosclerosis;
- paralysis of the respiratory and vasomotor centers;
- acute heart failure.
Prevention
To prevent chlorine poisoning in factories, workplace safety requirements must be followed.
At home:
- when using chlorine-containing detergents, ensure adequate ventilation, do not work with them indoors;
- do not contact with concentrated chlorine solutions without gloves;
- the treatment with insecticides and pesticides should be carried out only in a protective mask, goggles;
- store pesticides out of the reach of children;
- when visiting the pool, do not allow water to be swallowed.
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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!
