Protective irritation

Many types of bismuth mineral salts (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate) are generally multipurpose intestinal medicinal agents. As an antisecretory agent, bismuth subsalicylate coats and protects irritated and inflamed intestinal lumen tissue (antiulcer actions), decreases the secretion of fluid into the intestine, absorbs or neutralizes bacterial toxins, inhibits any bacterial activity (antidiarrhea actions), and also increases alkaline secretion to counteract any acid production (antacid action). Thus, this agent controls the frequent voluminous loss of watery stools while relieving intestinal cramping and irritation. 

Table 2. Examples of hand-held personal protection irritant liquid dispersion devices 1...

The xylenes are mildly toxic. They ate mild skin irritants, and skin protection and the cannister-type masks are recommended. The oral LD q value for rats is 4300 ppm. The STEL for humans is 150 ppm. Xylenes show only mild toxicity to fish, and the threshold limit for crop damage is 800—2400 ppm. Biodegradation with activated seed is slow, and sewage digestion is impaired by 0.1% concentrations. In the event of a spih, oil-skimming equipment, adsorbent foam, and charcoal maybe used for cleanup. 

Acrolein is highly toxic by skin absorption. Brief contact may result in the absorption of harmful and possibly fatal amounts of material. Skin contact causes severe local irritation and chemical bums. Poly(vinyl chloride) coated protective gloves should be used (99). 

Even small spills and leaks (<0.45 kg) require extreme caution. Unless the spill is contained in a fume hood, do not remain in or enter the area unless equipped with full protective equipment and clothing. Self-contained breathing apparatus should be used if the odor of acrolein or eye irritation is sensed. Small spills may be covered with absorbant, treated with aqueous alkalies, and flushed with water. 

Full eye protection should be worn whenever handling acryhc monomers contact lenses must never be worn. Prolonged exposure to Hquid or vapor can result in permanent eye damage or blindness. Excessive exposure to vapors causes nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness or drowsiness (solvent narcosis). Overexposure may cause central nervous system depression. Both proper respiratory protection and good ventilation are necessary wherever the possibiHty of high vapor concentration arises. 

Skin redness and from slight to corrosive irritation is caused by direct contact. Acryhc acid is more corrosive than esters. The monomers not only irritate the skin, but may also be absorbed through the skin. Therefore, gloves and protective clothing and shoes or boots should be used in addition to eye (or hiU face) protective equipment. Upon contact, the skin should be flushed with copious amounts of water foUow-up medical attention should be sought. Medical attention should also be obtained if any of the earlier mentioned symptoms appear. 

When dispersed as a dust, adipic acid is subject to normal dust explosion hazards. See Table 3 for ignition properties of such dust—air mixtures. The material is an irritant, especially upon contact with the mucous membranes. Thus protective goggles or face shields should be worn when handling the material. Prolonged contact with the skin should also be avoided. Eye wash fountains, showers, and washing faciUties should be provided in work areas. However, MSDS Sheet400 (5) reports that no acute or chronic effects have been observed. 

Beneficiation faciUties require air and water pollution control systems, including efficient control of dust emissions, treatment of process water, and proper disposal of tailings (see AiRPOLLUTlON CONTROLMETHODS). In handling finished fluorspar, operators must avoid breathing fluorspar dust and contacting fluorspar with acids. Proper disposal of spills and the use of respirators and other personnel protective equipment must be observed. Contact with fluorspar may irritate the skin and eyes. 

Potassium biduoride crystals may break down to a fine white powder that is readily airborne. In this form, the salt is quite irritating to the nasal passages, eyes, and skin. Therefore, the hands and eyes should be protected and acid dust masks should be worn while handling, as an acid duoride KHF2 can cause superficial hydroduoric acid-type bums. Areas of skin that have been in contact with potassium biduoride should be washed as soon as possible with mildly alkaline soaps or borax-containing hand cleaners. If there has been contact with the eyes, they should be washed well with water and a physician should be consulted. 

Both sodium fluoride and sodium bifluoride are poisonous if taken internally. Dust inhalation and skin or eye contact may cause irritation of the skin, eyes, or respiratory tract, and should be avoided by the use of proper protective equipment (1). 

Health and Safety. The dermal toxicology of alkaline solutions of thioglycolic acid has been reviewed extensively (63—65). The reagent has been found harmless to normal skin when used under conditions adopted for cold waving. Some irritation is observed on abraded skin but this appears to be associated with the alkaline component of the waving solution (65). Hand protection is recommended for the professional hairdressers who routinely handle these products. 

Personnel involved in the handling of methanol require eye and skin protection from the irritating properties of methanol in the event of a spill. Contact lenses should not be worn, since plastic lens materials may absorb and concentrate methanol against the eye. Additional respiratory protection is not required with adequate local explosion-proof ventilation. 

Oxahc acid is not flammable but its decomposition products, both formic acid and carbon monoxide, are toxic and flammable. Its dust and mist are irritating, especially under prolonged contact. Personnel who handle oxahc acid should wear mbber gloves, aprons, protection masks or goggles, etc, to avoid skin contact and inhalation. Adequate ventilation also should be provided in areas in which oxahc acid dust fumes are present. 

Dusts associated with these oxidising compounds produce caustic irritation of skin, eyes, and nasal membranes. Appropriate protection should be worn when handling. Skin contact should be treated as for any caustic material, ie, flush with water and neutralize. Toxicity is low to moderate and is the same as for the hydroxides. Toxicity of the chlorate is greater than for the peroxides and superoxides, and the chlorate material also causes local irritation. 

Lithium peroxide is a strong oxidizer and can promote combustion when in contact with combustible materials. It is a powerful irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes (2) protective clothing should be worn when handling lithium peroxide. The LD q has not been deterrnined, and there is no designated threshold limit value (TLV). However, 5 g of many lithium compounds can be fatal. 

Health and Safety Factors. Isophthahc acid has a low order of toxicity. Inhalation by rats for 4 h at 11.4 g/m showed no toxicity. The LD -level for rats is high at 10.4 g/kg (96). As with terephthahc acid, isophthahc acid was found to form urinary tract calcuh in rats in 90 d when it constituted 3% of their diet. This led to some cancer owing to the presence of the calcuh. Some mild eye irritation is possible, so eye protection should be worn. Otherwise, normal precautions used in handling industrial chemicals should be observed with isophthahc acid. 

Health and Safety Factors. Both pyromellitic acid and its dianhydride irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and they cause skin sensitization (156). When it comes in contact with moist tissue the dianhydride converts to the acid. Direct contact with should be avoided and protective clothing should be worn in areas where it is used. The LD q for intergastric administration in rats is 2.2—2.6 g/kg (157). In 6-mo experiments, the maximum nontoxic dose was 0.07 mg/kg/d, and it affected the fiver, kidney, and reproductive tract. Precautions against fire and dust explosions as explained in the terephthafic acid section should be foUowed. 

Gontact with polyalurninum chloride products may cause bums or irritation to the eyes or skin thus, protective clothing and eye protections are recommended. 

Alkylamiaes are toxic. Both the Hquids and vapors can cause severe irritations to mucous membranes, eyes, and skin. Protective butyl mbber gloves, aprons, chemical face shields, and self-contained breathing apparatus should be used by aH personnel handling alkylamiaes. Amines are flammable and the lower mol wt alkylamiaes with high vapor pressures at ordiaary temperatures have low flash poiats. Amines should be handled ia weH-veatilated areas only after eliminating potential sources of ignition. 

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