Aspiration hydrocarbon

Coke oven charging Hydrocarbons, carbon, coal dust Aspiration systems to draw pollutants into oven, venturi scrubbers... 

Gerarde HW. 1963. Toxicological studies on hydrocarbons. IX. The aspiration hazard and toxicity of hydrocarbon mixtures. Arch Environ Health 6 329-341. 

Respiratory Effects. Pulmonary edema was observed in a patient after an attempted suicide with endrin and was thought to be due to chemical pneumonitis following aspiration of aromatic hydrocarbons contained in the ingested formulation. The authors state that the hydrocarbons may have been the cause of the pulmonary effects (Runhaar et al. 1985), since hydrocarbon-induced chemical pneumonitis is a well established clinical entity. 

Common treatment for inhalation exposure includes removal of the patient to fresh air and observation for respiratory distress. Pulmonary injury may occur from solvents used as carriers for organochlorine pesticides. A hydrocarbon pneumonitis may be produced if aspiration of the liquid solvent occurs. 

Steele RW, Conklin RH, Mark HM. 1972. Corticosteroids and antibiotics for the treatment of fulminant hydrocarbon aspiration. JAMA 219(11) 1434-1437. 

Nonane could be expected to dry and defat skin, resulting in irritation and dermatitis, by analogy to other liquid paraffin hydrocarbons. Aspiration into the lung could be expected to cause chemical pneumonitis. 

A plain film of the abdomen may be useful because some tablets, particularly iron and potassium, may be radiopaque. Chest radiographs may reveal aspiration pneumonia, hydrocarbon pneumonia, or pulmonary edema. When head trauma is suspected, a computed tomography (CT) scan is recommended. 

If the patient has ingested a petroleum distillate (e.g., kerosene, gasoline, or petroleum-based liquid furniture polish), regurgitated hydrocarbons can be aspirated readily and cause chemical pneumonitis. 

A review of the medical literature on chemical aspiration revealed that some hydrocarbons (petroleum distillates) and certain chlorinated hydrocarbons have been shown to pose an aspiration hazard in humans. Primary alcohols, and ketones have been shown to pose an aspiration hazard only in animal studies. 

Category 1 Chemicals known to cause human aspiration toxicity hazards or to be regarded as if they cause human aspiration toxicity hazard A substance is classified in Category 1 (a) Based on reliable and good quality human evidence (See note 1) or (b) If it is a hydrocarbon and has a kinematic viscosity of 20.5 mm /s or less, measured at 40° C. 

Hydrocarbons, e.g. paraffin oil (kerosene), petrol (gasoline), benzene, chiefly cause CNS depression and pulmonary damage from inhalation. It is vital to avoid aspiration into the lungs during attempts to remove the poison or in spontaneous vomiting. Gastric aspiration should be performed only if a cuffed endotracheal tube is effectively in place, if necessary after anaesthetising the subject. 

Sage, eucalyptus, turpentine, pine, pennyroyal, and cinnamon contain hydrocarbons, ethers, alcohols, esters, and ketones. These components can cause allergic contact dermatitis, which begins 12 h within sensitization and peaks at 48-72 h. Essential oils are mucosal irritants leading to gastrointestinal distress and salivation. Concentrated formulations of essential oils can cause convulsions and CNS depression at 10 ml doses. Aspiration can cause chemical pneumonitis. Alcohol produces intoxication, which may be complicated by hypoglycemia, especially in children. 

The main hazard with low volatility, low viscosity hydrocarbons such as cumene is aspiration pneumonitis, which may occur after vomiting accidentally ingested material. Cumene is irritating to the eyes and skin. Prolonged skin contact may result in... 

As with other petroleum hydrocarbon products, management in most cases is symptomatic. Attention should be paid to possible aspiration pneumonitis after ingestion exposure vomiting should not be induced. Oral or high concentration vapor exposure may cause CNS depression the patient should be removed to fresh air. Liquid may cause skin or eye irritation contaminated clothing should be removed, and skin and eyes should be flushed with water. 

Decane is generally considered to be fairly nontoxic, relative to other aliphatic hydrocarbons. This is probably due to the fact that it is less volatile than octane or heptane and may not be as readily transferred across either the pulmonary alveoli or the blood-brain barrier. If it is aspirated into the lungs, however, decane will cause adverse effects similar to those seen with heptane or octane. 

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