Edema, pulmonary

Mild exposure to HF via inhalation can irritate the nose, throat, and respiratory system. The onset of symptoms may be delayed for several hours. Severe exposure via inhalation can cause nose and throat bums, lung inflammation, and pulmonary edema, and can also result in other systemic effects including hypocalcemia (depletion of body calcium levels), which if not promptly treated can be fatal. Permissible air concentrations are (42) OSHA PEL, 3 ppm (2.0 mg/m ) as E OSHA STEL, 6 ppm (5.2 mg/m ) as E and ACGIH TLV, 3 ppm (2.6 mg/m ) as E. Ingestion can cause severe mouth, throat, and stomach bums, and maybe fatal. Hypocalcemia is possible even if exposure consists of small amounts or dilute solutions of HE. 

The Du Pont HaskeU Laboratory for Toxicology and Industrial Medicine has conducted a study to determine the acute inhalation toxicity of fumes evolved from Tefzel fluoropolymers when heated at elevated temperatures. Rats were exposed to decomposition products of Tefzel for 4 h at various temperatures. The approximate lethal temperature (ALT) for Tefzel resins was deterrnined to be 335—350°C. AH rats survived exposure to pyrolysis products from Tefzel heated to 300°C for this time period. At the ALT level, death was from pulmonary edema carbon monoxide poisoning was probably a contributing factor. Hydrolyzable fluoride was present in the pyrolysis products, with concentration dependent on temperature. 

Hydrogen chloride in the lungs can cause pulmonary edema, a life threatening condition. In order for HCl in air to reach the lungs, it must be transported either as an aerosol or as a deposit on soot particles of less than 3 p.m in diameter. A procedure for the removal of 99% of the HCl from municipal waste incinerators has been developed (87). Lime is employed as a dry adsorbent which is collected in a filter bag system. 

Acute intoxication with DHBs occurs mainly by the oral route symptoms are close to those induced by phenol poisoning including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tachypnea, pulmonary edema, and CNS excitation with possibiUty of seizures followed by CNS depression. Convulsions are more frequent with catechol as well as hypotension due to peripheral vasoconstriction. Hypotension and hepatitis seem more frequent with hydroquinone and resorcinol. Methemoglobinemia and hepatic injury may be noted within a few days after intoxication by DHBs. 

Maleic Anhydride. The ACGIH threshold limit value in air for maleic anhydride is 0.25 ppm and the OSHA permissible exposure level (PEL) is also 0.25 ppm (181). Maleic anhydride is a corrosive irritant to eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Pulmonary edema (collection of fluid in the lungs) can result from airborne exposure. Skin contact should be avoided by the use of mbber gloves. Dust respirators should be used when maleic anhydride dust is present. Maleic anhydride is combustible when exposed to heat or flame and can react vigorously on contact with oxidizers. The material reacts exothermically with water or steam. Violent decompositions of maleic anhydride can be catalyzed at high temperature by strong bases (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, alkaU metals, and amines). Precaution should be taken during the manufacture and use of maleic anhydride to minimize the presence of basic materials. 

Health and Safety Factors, Toxicology. Phosphoms trichloride severely bums skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Contaminated clothing must be removed immediately. Vapors from minor inhalation exposure can cause delayed onset of severe respiratory symptoms after 2—24 h, depending on the degree of exposure. Delayed, massive, or acute pulmonary edema and death can develop as consequences of inhalation exposure. 

Health and Safety Factors. Sulfur monochloride is highly toxic and irritating by inhalation, and is corrosive to skin and eyes (156). The OSHA permissible exposure limit is 1 ppm (6 mg/m ). Pulmonary edema may result from inhalation. Because its vapor cannot be tolerated even at low concentrations, its presence serves as a warning factor. Sulfur monochloride is not highly flammable, having flash poiats of 118°C (closed-cup) and 130°C (open-cup) and an auto-ignition temperature of 234°C. 

Health nd Safety Factors. Thionyl chloride is a reactive acid chloride which can cause severe bums to the skin and eyes and acute respiratory tract injury upon vapor inhalation. The hydrolysis products, ie, hydrogen chloride and sulfur dioxide, are beheved to be the primary irritants. Depending on the extent of inhalation exposure, symptoms can range from coughing to pulmonary edema (182). The LC q (rat, inhalation) is 500 ppm (1 h), the DOT label is Corrosive, Poison, and the OSHA PEL is 1 ppm (183). The safety aspects of lithium batteries (qv) containing thionyl chloride have been reviewed (184,185). 

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. 

Inhalation of vapors of lower chloroformates result in coughing, choking, and respiratory distress, and, with some chloroformates like methyl chloroformate, inhalation can be fatal as a result of the onset of pulmonary edema, which may not appear for several hours after exposure (55). Table 5 gives the acute toxicides of some chloroformates (55—57). 

The threshold limit value—time integrated average, TLV—TWA, of chlorine dioxide is 0.1 ppm, and the threshold limit value—short-term exposure limit, STEL, is 0.3 ppm or 0.9 mg /m of air concentration (87,88). Chlorine dioxide is a severe respiratory and eye irritant. Symptoms of exposure by inhalation include eye and throat irritation, headache, nausea, nasal discharge, coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, and delayed onset of pulmonary edema. Delayed deaths occurred in animals after exposure to 150—200 ppm for less than one hour. Rats repeatedly exposed to 10 ppm died after 10 to 13 days of exposure. Exposure of a worker to 19 ppm for an unspecified time was fatal. The ingested systemic effects of low concentration chlorine dioxide solutions are similar to that of chlorite. 

Benzyl chloride is a severely irritating Hquid and causes damage to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract including pulmonary edema. Other possible effects of overexposure to benzyl chloride are CNS depression, Hver, and heart damage. Table 3 Hsts some exposure limits. 

Toxicity of 2-Ghloroethanol. Ethylene chlorohydrin is an irritant and is toxic to the Hver, kidneys, and central nervous system. In addition, it is rapidly absorbed through the skin (73). The vapor is not sufficiently irritating to the eyes and respiratory mucous membranes to prevent serious systemic poisoning. Contact of the Hquid in the eyes of rabbits causes moderately severe injury, but in humans corneal bums have been known to heal within 48 hours. Several human fataUties have resulted from inhalation, dermal contact, or ingestion. One fatahty was caused by exposure to an estimated 300 ppm in air for 2.25 hours. In another fatal case, autopsy revealed pulmonary edema and damage to the Hver, kidneys, and brain (73). 

Untoward effects of both E and NE (usually to a lesser degree) are anxiety, headache, cerebral hemorrhage (from vasopressor effects), cardiac arrhythmias, especially in presence of digitaUs and certain anesthetic agents, and pulmonary edema as a result of pulmonary hypertension. The minimum subcutaneous lethal dose of E is about 4 mg, but recoveries have occurred after accidental overdosage with 16 mg subcutaneously and 30 mg intravenously, followed by immediate supportive treatment. 

Phosgenes Thermal decomposition of chlorinated hydrocarbons, degreasing, manufacture of dyestuffs, pharmaceuticals, organic chemi- Metal fabrication, heavy chemicals Damage capable of leading to pulmonary edema, often delayed... 

Autopsies of animals in the Meuse Valley, Donora, and London episodes described in Chapter 16, Section III, revealed evidence of pulmonary edema. Breathing toxic pollutants is not, however, the major form of pollutant intake for cattle ingestion of pollution-contaminated feeds is the primary mode. 

Severe pulmonary edema possible acute bronchiolitis decreased blood pressure rapid weak pulse... 

Edema Edema is an abnormal accumulation of body fluid in tissues. An edema can be as trivial as a blister on your thumb, as life-threatening as a constriction of your airway. As in real estate, the three factors that determine the dangers associated with an edema are location, location, location. Exposure to toxic chemicals can cause a variety of edemas. Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) is particularly dangerous, if not treated. Be sure to avoid inhalation of chemicals whenever possible and to use proper protective measures, as suggested on the MSDS (fume hoods, respirators, etc.). 

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