Vinyl chloride poisoning

TABLE 17-3. Physical signs and symptoms of vinyl chloride poisoning... 

Suciu I, Prodan L, Ilea E, et al Clinical manifestations in vinyl chloride poisoning. Ann N Y Acad Sci 246 53-69, 1975... 

Most of the materials used in the manufacture of chemicals are poisonous, to some extent. The potential hazard will depend on the inherent toxicity of the material and the frequency and duration of any exposure. It is usual to distinguish between the short-term effects (acute) and the long-term effects (chronic). A highly toxic material that causes immediate injury, such as phosgene or chlorine, would be classified as a safety hazard. Whereas a material whose effect was only apparent after long exposure at low concentrations, for instance, carcinogenic materials, such as vinyl chloride, would be classified as industrial... 

Many workers have been exposed to vinyl chloride because of its use in polyvinyl chloride plastic manufacture. The central nervous system, respiratory system, liver, and blood and lymph systems are all affected by exposure to vinyl chloride. Among the symptoms of poisoning are fatigue, weakness, and abdominal pain. Cyanosis may also occur. Vinyl chloride was abandoned as an anesthetic when it was found to induce cardiac arrhythmias. 

Exponential 1 -- = 0,a dt Ethylene hydrogenation on Cu poisoned with CO" Paraflin dehydrogenation on Cr-Al-Oj Craciting of gas oil" Vinyl chloride mononter formation ... 

In a recent study of the CUCI2-AI2O3 catalyst system, Finocchio et al. [42] discovered that at 250 °C, whereas the oxychloiination reaction occurs on copper sites, the alumina surface converts the desired product, EDC, to by-products such as vinyl chloride, trichloroethane, and dichloroethylene. The superiority of copper chloride over copper nitrate as the catalyst precursor is probably because metal chlorides are more highly dispersed than metal nitrates on impregnated alumina surfaces and, hence, expose less of the uncovered alumina surface. CuCT is also more effective than copper nitrate in poisoning the nucleophilic sites (exposed oxide anions) on alumina. 

When a monomer, such as styrene, is transported or stored, an inhibitor is included in solntion to keep the styrene from polymerizing. An inhibitor, nsually an organic componnd, retards or stops an unwanted polymerization reaction. If an accident shonld occnr, this inhibitor can become separated from the monomer and a runaway polymerization may occur. Phenol — a deadly poison — is nsed as an inhibitor for vinyl chloride. Dibutylamine is used as an inhibitor for bntadiene. 

Many polymers can be roughly identified by their behavior when carefully heated and ignited. Nitrocellulose and plastics containing this (e.g., celluloid) bum with explosive violence and other materials such as poly(vinyl chloride) or fluoro-hydrocarbons decompose with the evolution of poisonous or irritating vapors. Only... 

Poisons can be acute (with immediate effect, e.g., hydrogen cyanide (HCN)) or chronic (referring to the systemic damage done after repeated exposure to low concentrations over long periods of time, e.g., heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium and also vinyl chloride). The chemicals most often associated with chronic toxicity are also carcinogens (e.g., benzene, cadmium compounds), which are problematic because when, if at all, the... 

Metallic arsenic is a grey brittle metal, and it is known as one of the most deadly poisons, and it is one of the few compounds (besides vinyl chloride) that causes the rare liver cancer angiosarcoma, but it is still thought of as an essential (trace) element for some animals and for humans, with a necessary intake of 0.01 mg per day, most probably due to the special metabolism of certain amino acids (chickens and rats fed with an arsenic free diet are found to have their growth inhibited). It is claimed that arsenic in small doses stimulates the metabolism and boosts the formation of red blood cells. In fact, its derivatives can be used illegally as a dopant for racehorses and even to fatten poultry and pigs. 

Toxicoiogy LD50 (oral, rat) 29,200 mg/kg, (IP, mouse) 250 mg/kg poison by IP route eye and severe skin irritant TSCA listed Precaution Combustible exposed to heat and flame can react with oxidizing material Uses Monomer for polymerization and copolymerization internal plasticizer for copolymerization with vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, acrylates, and styrene exterior paint formulations emollient in cosmetics, skin care, lipid systems, o/w orw/o emulsions Manuf./Distrib. ChemService http //www.chemservice.com, Chemial SpA http //www.iachemiai.com, DSM Fine Chems. Austria Monomer-Polymer Dajac Labs Trade Name Synonyms Bernel Ester 284 [Bernel http //www.bernei-chemicaLcom], Staflex DOF [C.P. Hall http //www.cphall.com]... 

Fig. 15. Changes of the glass transition temperature for a series of poisoner solutions and an effort to fit the data to equations 42 to 44. [PMMA = poly(methyl methacrylate), PVF2 = polyfvinylidene fluoride), PEO = poly(ethylene oxide), PEA = poly(ethylene adipate), PBA = polyfbutylene adipate), PVC = poly(vinyl chloride), PCL = poly(e-caprolactone)].

The poisonings in Minamata were due to mercuric chloride in a river. It had been used as a catalyst in the production of vinyl chloride. The population was poisoned due to the contamination of fish. In Iraq, the mass poisoning was the result of contaminated bread, for which flour accidentially made of grains, which had been treated with methyl mercury, has been used. 

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