Organic solvents inhalational

Organic solvents inhaled by abusers include gasoline, glue, aerosols, amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, typewriter correction fluid, lighter fluid, cleaning fluids, paint products, nail polish remover, waxes, and varnishes. Chemicals in these products include nitrous oxide, toluene, benzene, methanol, methylene chloride, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl butyl ketone, trichloroethylene, and trichloroethane. 

Fully cured polyurethanes present no health ha2ard they are chemically inert and insoluble in water and most organic solvents. However, dust can be generated in fabrication, and inhalation of the dust should be avoided. Polyether-based polyurethanes are not degraded in the human body, and are therefore used in biomedical appHcations. 

AH volatile organic solvents are toxic to some degree. Excessive vapor inhalation of the volatile chloriaated solveats, and the central nervous system depression that results, is the greatest hazard for iadustrial use of these solvents. Proper protective equipment and operating procedures permit safe use of solvents such as methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene ia both cold and hot metal-cleaning operations. The toxicity of a solvent cannot be predicted from its chlorine content or chemical stmcture. For example, 1,1,1-trichloroethane is one of the least toxic metal-cleaning solvents and has a recommended threshold limit value (TLV) of 350 ppm. However, the 1,1,2-trichloroethane isomer is one of the more toxic chloriaated hydrocarboas, with a TLV of only 10 ppm. 

Like many organic solvents, including hexane, heptane, ben2ene, xylene, toluene, gasoline, and particularly some of the other chlorinated and fluorinated solvents, methylene chloride may cause cardiac arrhythmias in the presence of elevated epinephrine when inhaled at concentrations as high as 20,000 ppm (36). 

Narcosis Narcosis is a state of deep stupor or unconsciousness, produced by a chemical substance, such as a drug or anesthesia. Inhalation of certain chemicals can lead to narcosis. For example, diethyl ether and chloroform, two common organic solvents, were among the first examples of anesthesia known. Many other chemicals that you would not suspect can also cause narcosis. For example, even though nitrogen gas comprises 80% of the air we breathe and is considered chemically inert (unreactive) it can cause narcosis under certain conditions. Always work with adequate inhalation and avoid inhaling chemical fumes, mists, dusts etc. whenever possible. Use fume hoods and respirators as necessary. 

NHi and benzene, and somewhat less soluble in numerous other organic solvents. The -form can be maintained as a solid up to 64.4°C under a pressure of 11 600 atm, whereas the or-form melts at 44.1°C. White phosphorus is highly toxic and ingestion, inhalation or even contact with skin must be avoided the fatal dose when taken internally is about 50mg. 

Dohrn CS, Lichtor JL, Finn RS, et al Subjective and psychomotor effects of nitrous oxide in healthy volunteers. Behav Pharmacol 3 19-30, 1992 Dohrn CS, Lichtor JL, Coalson DW, et al Reinforcing effects of extended inhalation of nitrous oxide in humans. Drug Alcohol Depend 31 263-280, 1993 Evans AC, Raistrick D Phenomenology of intoxication with toluene-based adhesives and butane gas. Br J Psychiatry 130 769-773, 1987 Evans EB, Balster RL CNS depressant effects of volatile organic solvents. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 13 233—241, 1991... 

Press E, Done AK Solvent sniffing physiologic effects and community control measures for intoxication from the intentional inhalation of organic solvents, I. Pediatrics 39 451 61, 1967... 

Yanagita T, Takahashi S, Ishida K, et al Voluntary inhalation of volatile anesthetics and organic solvents by monkeys. Jpn J Clin Pharmacol 1 13—16, 1970 Yavich L, Zvartau E A comparison of the effects of individual organic solvents and their mixture on brain stimulation reward. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 48 661— 664, 1994... 

An MRL of 0.1 ppm was derived for intermediate inhalation exposure (15-364 days) to trichloroethylene. This MRL was based on a study by Arito et al. (1994a) in which male JCL-Wistar rats were exposed to 0, 50, 100, or 300 ppm trichloroethylene for 6 weeks, 5 days/week, 8 hours/day. A LOAEL of 50 ppm was observed for decreased wakefulness during exposure, and decreased postexposure heart rate and slow wave sleep. Another study with rats found an increase in sleep-apneic episodes and cardiac arrhythmias after exposure to trichloroethylene (Arito et al. 1993). These results corroborate similar effects observed in humans exposed to trichloroethylene, as described in the previous paragraph, as well as evidence of organic solvent-induced sleep apnea in humans (Edling et al. 1993 Monstad et al. 1987, 1992 Wise et al. 1983). 

DCC is a waxy solid that is often difficult to remove from a bottle. Its vapors are extremely hazardous to inhalation and to the eyes. It should always be handled in a fume hood. The isourea by-product of a DCC-initiated reaction, dicyclohexyl urea (DCU) (Figure 3.5), is also water-insoluble and must be removed by organic solvent washing. For synthesis of peptides or affinity supports on insoluble matrices this is not a problem, because washing of the support material can be done without disturbing the conjugate coupled to the support. For solution phase chemistry, however, reaction products must be removed by solvent washings, precipitations, or recrystallizations. 

Prockop L, Couri D. 1977. Nervous system damage from mixed organic solvents. In Sharp CW, ed. Review of inhalants Euphoria to dysfunction. Washington, DC U.S. Government Printing Office,... 

Caution. Potassium tetrachloroplatinate(II) is a known sensitizing agent, and tetra(n-butyl)ammonium hydrogen sulfate is an irritant. All organic solvents used are toxic, and most of them flammable. Inhalation or contact with them should be avoided. Appropriate precautions must be taken, and an efficient hood must be used. 

HMPT is now thought to be a potent carcinogen. It should be handled with extreme care inhalation of the vapour and contact with the skin should be avoided. This solvent is miscible both with water and with many polar and non-polar organic solvents with the exception of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. It forms a complex with chlorinated solvents by which means it may be removed from aqueous solutions. The solvent may be dried by shaking with calcium hydride or barium oxide followed by distillation under reduced pressure and... 

Droz, P.O., and J.G. Fernandez. 1977. Effect of physical workload on retention and metabolism of inhaled organic solvents. A comparative theoretical approach and its applications with regards to exposure monitoring. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health. 38(4) 231-246. 

Note Moderately polar solvent soluble in water and most organic solvents flammable highly toxic by ingestion and inhalation absorbed through the skin may cause central nervous system depression, necrosis of the liver and kidneys incompatible with strong oxidizers. Synonyms diethylene ether, 1,4-diethylene dioxide, diethylene dioxide, dioxyethylene ether. 

The second point is that solvents, by design, should be relatively inert substances. This means that they are not easily broken down by the body or in nature. Lastly, the criterion of easy removal means that most organic solvents are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Thus, they have low vapor pressures and are easily inhaled. 

Volatility The tendency of a liquid to evaporate into a gas form or vapor. Organic solvents on inhalation are in the form of vapors. 

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