Solvents respiratory passages

Vapors from the solvents or actual contact can also cause irritation of the eyes and the lining, or mucous membrane, of the nose and throat. If the vapors penetrate further into the respiratory passages, these too will become irritated and cause an irritation of the back of the throat (pharyngitis), or worse still, inflammation of the bronchi (breathing tubes) in the condition of bronchitis, which we have already seen occurring with the irritant gases. 

USE In organic syntheses as solvent. Toxicity Irritating lo eyes, respiratory passages. Narcotic E. Browning, Toxicity and Metabolism of Industrial Solvents (Elsevier, New York, 1965) pp 356-367. 

Properties.—Physical.—A greenish-yellow gas, at the ordinary temperature and pressure it has a penetrating odor, and is, even when highly diluted, very irritating to the respiratory passages. Being soluble in HsO to the extent of one volume to three volumes of the solvent, it must be collected by displacement of air, as shown in Fig. 33. A saturated aqueous solution of Cl is known to chemists as chlorin water, and in pharmacy as aqua chlori (Z7. S.), Liquor chlori (2f .). It should bleach, but not redden, litmus paper. Under a jiressure of 6 atmospheres at 0° (33° F.), or 8 atmospheres at 13° (53°. 6 F.), Cl becomes an oily, yellow liquid, of sp. gr. 1.33 and boiling at —83.6° (—38°.5 P.). 

In suiiicient concentration, styrene monomer vapour (used as a solvent in polyester resins) will irritate the eyes and can cause burns if it is not washed off immediately with plenty of warm water. Particular care must be taken with liquid catalysts and promoters liquid organic peroxides, such as MEKP, should be treated with extreme caution and may irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory passages. Protective goggles should be worn, as a necessary precaution. 

How much and at what location a contaminant gas or vapor will be absorbed in the respiratory tract is determined primarily by the solubility of the contaminant. The more water-soluble agents (sulfur dioxide and ketonic solvents) may dissolve in the aqueous fluid lining the cells of the more proximal region of the respiratory tree, even before they reach the alveolar region. They may then undergo absorption by passive diffusion or passage through membrane pores. When, in addition, water-soluble contaminants... 

Toxicology May cause skin, nasal passage, respiratory tract irritation, and severe eye irritation can be absorbed thru skin a solvent (formaldehyde) in this compd. is a carcinogen Precaution Flamm. liq. UEL 7.0% incompat. with strong oxidizing agents Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits toxic fumes of CO, CO2, various hydrocarbons... 

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