Poisoning and Toxicity

Amine and caustic solutions are used to remove these impurities. The amine solvents known as alkanolomines remove both H2S and CO, Hydrogen sulfide is poisonous and toxic. For refinery furnaces and boilers, the maxinaum HjS concentration is normally about 160 ppm. 

Burned tobacco contains some 4,800 distinct chemicals in either gas or particle phases. Many of the compounds in both phases are highly reactive, poisonous, and toxic. Harmful products include oxidants and poisons produced during burning, as well as radioactivity, heavy metals, and pesticides that may have accumulated within the tobacco leaf. Sixty-nine of these substances are known to cause cancer in humans and animals, and many others are known to be strong irritants. 

Chemicals are able to bring about both desirable and undesirable effects on organisms to which they are exposed, and the actions of medicines and poisons and toxic agents have been recognized for thousands of years. As a result of industrialization, modem man and the environment is now exposed to increasing numbers of chemicals. Because of their potential hazard, there is an appreciation of the requirement to assess the effects of these chemicals. Since chemical structure was elucidated (for a very brief history see Table 1.1), the relationship between chemical structure and... 

There are three types of toxicity in minerals. Each of these, as listed here, is progressively worse than the one before it. Species that are radioactive are the most hazardous, being also poisonous and toxic as dust. 

Radioactive minerals emit natural radiation, which can be hazardous to organisms. They are also poisonous and toxic as dust. Radioactive materials can be found in a variety of collections, but most are associated with minerals, rocks, and fossils. If handled and stored appropriately, hazards from radiation can be minimized. 

Interest in these compounds (Fig. 1) derives from their ability to transport ions across biologic membranes, and some terrestrial polyethers have been used widely in veterinary medicine. Marine polyethers are responsible for numerous cases of human food poisoning and toxic algal tides, which cause massive fish kills. 

Figure 34-5 Rumack-Matthew nomogram. (From Rumock BH, Matthew H. Acetaminophen poisoning and toxicity. Pediatrics I975 55 871-6. Reproduced by permission of Pediatrics.)...

Rumack BH, Matthew H. Acetaminophen poisoning and toxicity. Pediatrics 1975 55 871-6. 

Mercury dialkyls are strong respiratory poisons and toxic to the skin. Therefore, all operations must be carried out in closed apparatus. The handling of sealed tubes under pressure is dangerous and should be carried out in a special room only by experienced persons. 

Another useful volume encompassing the territory is the Amazonian Ethnobo-tanical Dictionary, by James Alan Duke and Rudolfo Vasquez, published in 1994. This is the same Jim Duke, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Beltsville, Maryland, who wrote the Foreword to Jonathan Hartwell (1982). Many of the medicinal properties of select spedes are provided, hsting both common and scientific names, and annotated with descriptors POISON and TOXIC wherever they apply. The medicinal uses are as based on folklore. 

TABLE 4.1.1.2 Naturally-Occurring and Man-made Poison and Toxic Chemicals... 

Carbon disulphide. When working with this solvent, its toxicity (it is a blood and nerve poison) and particularly its high inflammability should be home in mind. Distillation of appreciable quantities of carbon disulphide should be carried out in a water bath at 55-65° it has been known to ignite from being overheated on a steam bath. 

The preparation of these compounds in the laboratory is not recommended and is rarely worth while because of the cheapness of the commercial products. Dimethyl sulphate is a heavy liquid, boiling at 188-6°, and is practically without odour. The vapour is highly poisonous and the substance should only be used in a fume cupboard with a good draught. The liquid itself is readily absorbed through the skin, with toxic results. 

Toxicity. Antimony has been found not to be a carcinogen or to present any undue risk to the environment (9). However, because antimony compounds also contain minor amounts of arsenic which is a poison and a carcinogen, warning labels are placed on all packages of antimony trioxide. 

Fig. 1. Periodic Table showing elements of importance in biological systems principal element of bioorganic compounds essential mineral nutrients for humans and other animals 1 essential mineral nutrient for animals, probably for humans M present in body, not known to be a nutrient or toxic element M element used in medicine element generally poisonous and present in body, possibly toxic.

Avitrol [504-24-5] (4-anHnopyridine) (24), mp 155—158°C, bp 273°C, has repeUent—toxicant properties for birds and is classed as a severe poison and irritant. This secondary bird repeUent can be used as a broadcast bait, causing uncoordinated flight and distress caUs and escape responses in nearby birds (57). A reevaluation shows lack of effectiveness of 1% baits but better control of blackbirds with 3% baits (58). Suspected contamination of drinking water with 4-aminopyridine has been reported in toxicosis of Brahman catde and horses (59). 

Sodium nitrite is poisonous and prolonged contact with dry sodium nitrite or its solutions can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. The LD q (oral, rat) is 85 mg per kg body weight (11). Inhalation or ingestion of significant quantities of dust or mist may result in acute toxic effects such as nausea, cyanosis, and low blood pressure, which can lead to possible coUapse, coma, and even death. 

Health and Safety Factors. Sulfuryl chloride is both corrosive to the skin and toxic upon inhalation. The TLV suggested by the manufacturer is 1 ppm. The vapors irritate the eyes and upper respiratory tract, causing prompt symptoms ranging from coughing to extreme bronchial irritation and pulmonary edema. The DOT label is Corrosive, Poison. 

Reclamation, Disposal, and Toxicity. Removal of poisons and inorganic deposits from used catalysts is typically difficult and usually uneconomical. Thus some catalysts are used without regeneration, although they may be processed to reclaim expensive metal components. Used precious metal catalysts, including automobile exhaust conversion catalysts, are treated (often by the suppHers) to extract the metals, and recovery efficiencies are high. Some spent hydroprocessing catalysts may be used as sources of molybdenum and other valuable metals. 

The use of fire retardants in polymers has become more complicated with the realisation that more deaths are probably caused by smoke and toxic combustion products than by fire itself. The suppression of a fire by the use of fire retardants may well result in smouldering and the production of smoke, rather than complete combustion with little smoke evolution. Furthermore, whilst complete combustion of organic materials leads to the formation of simple molecules such as CO2, H2O, N2, SO2 and hydrogen halides, incomplete combustion leads to the production of more complex and noxious materials as well as the simple structured but highly poisonous hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide. 

Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water Reacts vigorously with water, generating phosphine, which is a poisonous and spontaneously flammable gas Reactivity with Common Materials Can react with surface moisture to generate phosphine, which is toxic and spontaneously flammable Stability During Transport Stable if kept dry Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics Not pertinent Polymerization Not pertinent Inhibitor of Polymerization Not pertinent. 

Toxicity The relative degree of being poisonous or toxic. A condition which may exist in wastes and will inhibit or destroy the growth or function of certain organisms. 

Aids in the procurement of information on the contents and potential toxicity of substances that may cause accidental poisonings and on the proper management ofpoisonings. Establishes standards for poison information and control centers and maintains a national database on poisons. 

Procedure. NOTE Potassium cyanide and all other cyanides are deadly poisons, and extreme care must be taken in their use. Details for the disposal of cyanides and other dangerous and toxic chemicals may be found in Refs 14 and 15. 

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