Storing Toxic Substances

The poison dart frogs of Central and South America store toxic substances such as the acetylenic alkaloid histrionicotoxin within their bodies to deter attacks by other animals. Histrionicotoxin disrupts neuromuscular transmission in animals through its interaction with receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. 

The following precautions should be taken when storing toxic substances ... 

This recommended practice is intended to apply to faciUties that (/) handle or store flammable or explosive substances in such a manner that a release of ca 5 t of gas or vapor could occur in a few minutes and (2) handle toxic substances. The threshold quantity for the toxic materials would be determined using engineering judgment and dispersion modeling, based on a potential for serious danger as a result of exposures of <1 h. 

All protective clothing should be maintained in a sound condition, cleaned/washed/replaced regularly as appropriate, and be stored apart from everyday clothing. With toxic chemicals a double locker system is advisable. With highly toxic substances, e.g. lead compounds or asbestos-based substances, separate storage of personal clotliing and protective clotliing is specifically requhed. 

Primarily recordkeeping system for individual facilities. Includes information on chemicals and manufacturers and records of accidents and training. Chris Plus adds capability of storing and printing MSDS information and assists with the preparation of Tier I and Tier II reports and right-to-know requests. Doth systems contain database of 600 toxic substances and synonyms. 

Environmental Protection Agency regulations related to air, water, solid waste, and land contamination with toxic substances that a plant might emit/release into immediate plant area, or discharge as waste into public streams, or inject into underground aquafiers, or dump or store [29, 30, 31]. 

Just like mammals, birds have a delayed reaction to lipotropHc pesticides such as OCPs and their metabolites. These toxic substances dissolve and accumulate in the fatty tissues of well-fed birds, and are comparably harmless in this form. However, once the bird starts using the stored fat (at the end of a long flight or when laying eggs), the substances are carried through the bloodstream to the brain, liver, or yolk of the egg, and poison all the systems [1]. In particular, well-fed raptors have lower DDE concentrations in their liver (0.5 mg/kg) than less well-fed (3.5 mg/kg) and emaciated birds (7.3 mg/kg) [6]. 

Toxic substances can also be encountered in debris. For example, hazardous chemicals may have been legitimately stored in a blown up building or there could be lead from the batteries of bomb damaged motor vehicles. Another common hazard is the presence of asbestos in old buildings. 

Strengthening safety regulations for storing toxic and flammable substances. 

Some compounds are stored in the body in specific tissues. Such storage effectively removes the material from circulation and thus decreases the toxicity of the compound. Repeated doses of a toxic substance may be taken up and subsequently stored without apparent toxicity until the storage receptors become saturated then toxicity suddenly occurs. In some cases, the stored compound may be displaced from its storage receptor by another compound that has an affinity for the same receptor. Examples of this phenomenon are the displacement of antidiabetic sul-fonylureas by sulfonamides and the ability of antimalarial drugs such as quina-crine (atabrine) and primaquine to displace each other (Loomis, 1978). A special danger in such cases is that compounds may have escaped detoxifying metabolism while stored in the body, and that their toxicity may be potent and prolonged when released. 

Lipids are toxicologically important for several reasons. Some toxic substances interfere with lipid metabolism, leading to detrimental accumulation of lipids. Many toxic organic compounds are poorly soluble in water, but are lipid soluble, so that bodies of lipids in organisms serve to dissolve and store toxicants. 

As the title suggests, this book emphasizes the importance of detoxification. First, the author recounts how the toxic substances which we store in our bodies (sometimes permanently), are pervasive everywhere in the world. The author talks about phases I and II of detoxification and about how toxic substances are the most important cause of most diseases. In conclusion, she offers instructions on how best to detoxify, such as with the aid of a sauna. Various sauna therapies and accompanying supplements are discussed. Available on Amazon.com and elsewhere. 

Contamination of food, drink, and smoking materials is a potential route for exposure to toxic substances. Food should never be stored, handled, or consumed in any laboratory area. 

Unfortunately, some aquifers are being contaminated by seepage of toxic substances from agricultural products (and in some cases leakage of improperly stored industrial wastes). The removal of such contaminants by packed bed electrolysis applied to the exit pipe from the aquifer would allow continued use of these waters. 

SeMet is classified as a very toxic substance. It should be stored in closed containers below 4°C in the freezer. SeMet should only be handled in a well-ventilated hood with rubber gloves, protective goggles and facial mask. To reduce the risk of accidental poisoning in the food and feed industry, pre-... 

For the analyst it is important to note that carbonyl chloride is an extremely acute toxic substance (irritant capable of producing delayed pulmonary edema) and is gaseous at room temperature (b.p. 7.5°C/1013 mbar).Therefore, all processes in which carbonyl chloride may be liberated must be carried out in a fume cupboard. Skin and eye contact with carbonyl chloride solutions and especially the inhalation of carbonyl chloride vapour must be avoided. It is recommended not to work with pure carbonyl chloride but with commercially available solutions, for instance 20 % carbonyl chloride in toluene (density at 20 °C 0.935 kg/1) corresponding to a concentration of 1.93 Mol per litre or 191 g/1. Stock solutions and standard solutions should be prepared and stored in closed containers. 

As described in section 2.5.1.2, schools, laboratories, pharmacies, hospitals, and doctors offices generally store numerous chemicals, many of which are have a possibility of either generating a toxic vapor or mist if the bottles are damaged, or producing a toxic substance through their reaction with other substances. In past earthquakes, however, no casualties have been reported through accidents of these types. 

Store water in thoroughly washed plastic, fiberglass, or enamel-lined metal containers. Don t use containers that can break, such as glass bottles. Never use a container that has held toxic substances. Sound plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums. 

Materials which may affect other materials stored in their vicinity should be handled in accordance with a written procedure. Rodenticides, insecticides, fumigating agents and sanitizing materials should not be permitted to contaminate equipment, starting materials, packaging materials, in-process materials or finished products. Toxic substances and flammable materials should be clearly marked as such and should be stored in suitably designed, separate, enclosed areas as required by national legislation. Flammable substances should be kept away from corrosive or oxidant substances at all times. 

C. Possible Threats. The sources of environmental and industrial hazards may be quite extensive if the operation is in an industrialized area. Any site that stores or uses toxic material may pose a threat to US service members even if the site is operating under normal conditions. Industrial sabotages, such as, destruction of a large industrial complex could release potentially toxic substances. Possible sites prone to threat include hospitals, mines, and manufacturing facilities. Table 1-A summarizes the typical industrial and environmental threats that a deployed U S. Force may encounter with respect to site characteristics. 

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