Respiratory tract injury from corrosives

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). 

The toxicity of hypochlorite arises from its corrosive activity on skin and mucous membranes. Corrosive burns may occur immediately upon exposure to concentrated bleach products. Most of this corrosiveness stems from the oxidizing potency of the hypochlorite itself, a capacity that is measured in terms of available chlorine . The alkalinity of some preparations may contribute substantially to the tissue injury and mucosal erosion. Sodium hypochlorite when combined with an acid or ammonia may produce chlorine or chloramine gas, respectively. An inhalation exposure to these gases may result in irritation to mucous membranes and the respiratory tract, which may manifest itself as a chemically induced pneumonitis. 

Titanium tetrachloride is a severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritant and corrosive. It can also severely irritate the mucous membranes and the lungs. Inhalation of high levels of titanium tetrachloride can be fatal due to the ensuing lung injury from the hydrochloric acid produced. Acute (short-term) exposure may result in constriction of various sections of the upper respiratory tract in humans. 

Triethylamlne (CAS 121-44-8) An aikaiine corrosive highiy irritating to eyes and skin severe burns may occur. Vapors very irritating to eyes and respiratory tract pulmonary edema may occur. High doses in animals cause heart, liver, and kidney injury. CNS stimulation possibly resulting from inhibition of monoamine oxidase. 1 ppm, S 200 ppm 3 3 0 Coloriess liquid with a fishy, ammonla-llke odor of unknown value as a warning property. Vapor pressure is 54 mm Hg at 20°C (68°F). Flammable. 

Anhydrous ammonia is a corrosive toxic substance. It can cause frostbite when it evaporates from exposed skin. Ammonia is a potent skin corrosive and harms exposed eye tissue. Because of its high water solubility, inhaled ammonia is absorbed by the moist tissues of the upper respiratory tract. Inhalation of ammonia causes constriction of the bronchioles and can cause lung edema (fluid accumulation) and changes in lung permeability. Anhydrous liquid ammonia stored in tanks has been a favorite target of operators of illicit meth labs in rural areas who use it in the synthesis of methamphetamines. Certainly, many of the thieves are harmed by exposure to ammonia, but they rarely seek treatment for the injury. 

---