Potassium ingestion

The potassium hydroxide electrolyte used in alkaline batteries is a corrosive hazardous chemical. It is a poison and if ingested attacks the throat and stomach linings. Immediate medical attention is required. It slowly attacks skin if not rapidly washed away. Extreme care should be taken to avoid eye contact that can result in severe bums and blindness. Protective clothing and face shields or goggles should be worn when filling cells with water or electrolyte and performing other maintenance on vented batteries. 

The primary routes of entry for animal exposure to chromium compounds are inhalation, ingestion, and, for hexavalent compounds, skin penetration. This last route is more important in industrial exposures. Most hexavalent chromium compounds are readily absorbed, are more soluble than trivalent chromium in the pH range 5 to 7, and react with cell membranes. Although hexavalent compounds are more toxic than those of Cr(III), an overexposure to compounds of either oxidation state may lead to inflammation and irritation of the eyes, skin, and the mucous membranes associated with the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Skin ulcers and perforations of nasal septa have been observed in some industrial workers after prolonged exposure to certain hexavalent chromium compounds (108—110), ie, to chromic acid mist or sodium and potassium dichromate. 

Potassium cyanide KCN On exposure to air, gradually decomposes to release HCN Poisonous by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption Do not handle with bare hands. Strong solutions may be corrosive to the skin Nonflammable white lumps or crystals Eaint odour of bitter almonds Completely water soluble... 

Potassium Oxalata. K2C2 04. HjO, mw 184.23 colorl, odorless crysts mp, loses H20 at about 160°, when iguited is converted into carbonate without appreciable charring d 2.13g/cc, sol in 3p of w. Can be prepd by heating a mixt of K formate or carbonate with oxalic acid and a small amt of K hydroxide, with subsequent extraction of w. Highly toxic by inhalation and ingestion... 

Potassium as a nutrient lowers blood pressure, prevents bone loss, and reduces the risk of kidney stones. Some of these effects are due to the loss of sodium in the urine when potassium is ingested. 

Exposure to natural sources of radiation is unavoidable. Externally, individuals receive cosmic rays, terrestrial X-rays, and gamma radiation. Internally, naturally occurring radionuclides of Pb, Po, Bi, Ra, Rn, K, C, H, U, and Th contribute to the natural radiation dose from inhalation and ingestion. Potassium-40 is the most abundant radionuclide in foods and in all tissues. The mean effective human dose equivalent from natural radiations is 2.4 milliSieverts (mSv). This value includes the lung dose from radon daughter products and is about 20% higher than a 1982 estimate that did not take lung dose into account (Table 32.4). 

Oral exposure to cyanide usually results from accidental, homicidal, or suicidal ingestion of cyanide salts. Sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide are the most frequently studied cyanide compounds. Copper cyanide, potassium silver cyanide, silver cyanide, and calcium cyanide are other compounds that humans could encounter through oral or dermal exposure. Cassava roots and certain fruit pits contain compounds that can be broken down to form cyanide. Cassava roots form the staple diet of some populations in Africa, Central and South America, and Asia. However, it must be noted that cassava roots are notoriously deficient in protein and other nutrients and contain many other compounds, in addition to cyanide, that could be responsible for some of the observed toxic effects. Thiocyanate is a metabolite of cyanide that is formed in the body after exposure to cyanide compounds. When possible, all oral exposures are expressed as mg CN/kg/day. 

Hematological Effects. Information regarding hematological effects in humans after oral exposure to cyanide is limited. No adverse hematologic effects were reported in a man who ingested 15 mg CNVkg as potassium cyanide (Liebowitz and Schwartz 1948). 

Renal Effects. Information regarding renal effects of cyanide in humans is limited to one report. Albuminuria was found in a man during the first 2 days after ingestion of 15 mg CN /kg as potassium cyanide in a suicide attempt (Liebowitz and Schwartz 1948). 

Potassium cyanide (KCN) is a white crystalline substance with a slight odor of bitter almonds. It is produced when hydrogen cyanide is absorbed in potassium hydroxide. It is used to extract gold and silver from their ores, in electroplating computer boards, and as an insecticide. Potassium cyanide is very toxic to the skin or when ingested or inhaled, and it is used as a source of cyanide (CN) gas in gas chambers. 

Many of the potassium salts mentioned are hazardous because they are explosive when either heated or shocked. Some are also toxic to the skin and poisonous when ingested. On the other hand, numerous compounds of potassium make our lives much more livable. 

Potassium bromide ingested in large doses can cause CNS depression. Other symptoms of chronic intake are mental deterioration and an acne-type skin eruption. 

Ingestion of large doses can cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and nausea. Potassium chloride can stop the heart beat and is a component of lethal injections. 

Potassium cyanide is a dangerously toxic substance. Ingestion of 100 to 150 mg can cause collapse and cessation of breathing in humans. At lower doses, the acute effects are nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion and muscle weakness (Patnaik, P. 1999. A Comprehensive Guide to the Hazardous Properties of Chemical Substances, ed. pp. 292-294. New York John Wdey Sons). Contact with acid can liberate highly toxic vapors of hydrogen cyanide. Sodium thiosulfate and sodium sulfate have shown antidotal activity to KCN toxicity. 

Potassium fluoride is moderately toxic by ingestion. The oral LD50 in guinea pigs is 250 mg/kg. 

Sodium cyanide is extremely toxic. Ingestion of a small quantity can be fatal. The toxic properties are similar to Potassium Cyanide (See Potassium Cyanide). 

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