Suffocation

Chlorine gas is a respiratory irritant and is readily detectable at concentrations of <1 ppm in air because of its penetrating odor. Chlorine gas, after several hours of exposure, causes mild irritation of the eyes and of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. At high concentrations and in extreme situations, increased difficulty in breathing can result in death through suffocation. The physiological response to various levels of chlorine gas is given in Table 19. 

At ordinary temperatures, pure formaldehyde is a colodess gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. Physical properties are summarized ia Table 1 thermodynamic values for temperatures ranging from 0—6000 K are given ia the Interim Thermochemica/ Tables (11,12). Other properties are Hsted ia... 

Oxygen inhalators are used as a first-aid measure for a long Hst of emergencies, including heart attacks and suffocation, and as a result are carried routinely by rescue squads. Oxygen—helium mixtures have proved beneficial in asthmatic attacks, because these permit more rapid flow of gas into congested areas of the respiratory system. 

Records show that more fatalities occur through victims being suffocated by smoke or poisoned by toxic gases emitted during a fire than by being burnt to death. This is particularly worrying when it is realised that many additives incorporated into a polymer to retard its flammability are often found to increase the amount of smoke emitted as the rate of flame propagation decreases. Most... 

Formaldehyde gas (Oxymethylene) HCHO 430 7.0-73.0 1.1 -21 Colourless Water soluble gas producing formalin solutions Suffocating odour Polymerizes readily Highly toxic Respiratory sensitizer... 

Vapor Density (VD) — the mass per unit volume of a given vapor/gas relative to that of air. Thus, acetaldehyde with a vapor density of 1.5 is heavier than air and will accumulate in low spots, while acetylene with a vapor density of 0.9 is lighter than air and will rise and disperse. Heavy vapors present a particular hazard because of the way they accumulate if toxic they may poison workers if nontoxic they may displace air and cause suffocation by oxygen deficiency if flammable, once presented with an ignition source, they represent a fire or explosion hazard. Gases heavier than air include carbon dioxide, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide. 

Asphysia Asphysia is a lack of oxygen, which interferes with the oxygenation of the blood. This condition is the result of asphyxiation, which can result from a number of factors, such as (1) suffocation/strangulation or (2) inhalation of an asphyxiant, such as 100% nitrogen gas. 

Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment Individual breathing devices with air supply neoprene gloves protective clothing eye protection Symptoms Following Exposure Inhalation of concentrated gas will cause suffocation. Contact will liquid can damage eyes because of low temperature. Frostbite may result from contact with liquid General Treatment for Exposure INHALATION remove to fresh air use artificial respiration if necessary. EYES get medical attention promptly if liquid has entered eyes. SKIN soak in lukewarm water (for frostbite) Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value) Data not available Short-Term Exposure Limits Data not available Toxicity by Ingestion Not pertinent (boils at -24.7°C) Late Toxicity Data not available Vtqtor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics Data not available Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics Data not available Odor Threshold Data not available. 

Observable Characteristics - Physical State (as shipped) Liquid Color Colorless Odor Slightly suffocating nonresidual alcoholic. 

Explosion is burning that takes place sonically, hence, a shock front is produced. The damage mechanisms are physical destruction from the shock wave, collateral damage from falling structures, and human bums. Suffocation and poisoning are not usually associated with an explosion because of its short duration. A chemical explosives such as nitroglycerine, trinitrotoluene, dynamite, and others were discussed in Section 7.2.6. 

A process foreman had a last look in a vessel before it was boxed up. He saw an old gasket lying on the floor. He decided to go in and remove it. Everyone else was at lunch, so he decided to go in alone. On the way out, while climbing a ladder, he slipped and fell and was knocked out. His tongue blocked his throat, and he suffocated. 

This tree is known in Viotoria as the spotted gum" or " wlilie gum," hut in New South Wales it is nsuaUy spoken o( as "bine gum The oil is bright yellow, ol suffocating odour, and has the lollowing... 

Erstickung,/. suffocation choking asphyxia, erstklassig, a. first-class, first-rate, eistlich, a. adv. first. 

Stick-dampf, -dunst, m. choke damp suffocating vapor, -dioiyd, n. nitrogen dioxide. 

Stickgas, n. suffocating gas, specif. (1) nitrogen gas, nitrogen, (2) carbon dioxide. 

Respiratory tract all symptoms associated with allergy can occur, starting from profuse rhinitis to severe asthma and suffocation. 

---