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Solvents are of great importance and widely used in industry and all other areas of the economy. In addition, flammable solvents are used as propellants and non-flammable for suppressing fire in extinguishers.
Solvents include the following groups of chemical compounds: alcohols, glycols, ketones, ethers, gasoline, halogens, derivatives of aliphatic hydrocarbons, carbon disulfide, benzene and its derivatives, turpentine.
The mode of toxic action of these compounds is related to their lipid solubility and volatility. They are easily absorbed through the respiratory tract and skin. Locally, they irritate the skin, mucous membranes of the respiratory or digestive organs and cause inflammation. They accumulate in the nervous tissue, which causes narcotic symptoms. The above mechanisms of action characterize the first period of acute intoxication. In the second period, after the symptoms associated with narcosis or chronic poisoning have subsided, the specific activity of individual compounds is revealed, which may vary in nature and affect various organs. The toxic effect of some solvents is limited to the narcotic effect.
Symptoms of poisoning
In acute poisoning, narcotic symptoms are sometimes preceded by signs of tinnitus, sweet taste in the mouth, salivation, nausea, tingling fingers, palpitations, sweating. This may be followed by a period of psychomotor agitation (intoxication with excitement or convulsions) or immediate narcotic sleep and coma.
In oral poisoning, general narcotic symptoms develop more slowly, while in the first stage there may be symptoms related to the local irritating effect of solvents on the gastrointestinal mucosa in the form of vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, sometimes with blood.
The late effects of acute oral poisoning, i.e. the symptoms of the second stage, are usually also more pronounced. In coma, the main risk is respiratory failure due to mechanical obstruction of the respiratory tract (tongue collapse, bronchial secretions, aspiration) or respiratory paralysis. In both cases cyanosis is noticeable, moreover, wheezing and deep or shallow, rapid, uneven or interrupted breathing.
Other serious symptoms include hypotension and collapse, tachycardia, arrhythmia and cardiac arrest. Death can also occur due to pulmonary edema. After the anesthesia has subsided, the symptoms of the second stage may appear only after a few or even several days of latency and apparent health. These can affect the liver (jaundice), kidneys (uremia) and the central and peripheral nervous system (mental disorders, epileptic seizures, paralysis, blindness).
Symptoms associated with damage to the bone marrow hematopoiesis (aplastic anemia, hemorrhagic diathesis, leukemia reactions) are characteristic in chronic poisonings.
First aid
In the case of consumption of organic solvents first aid comes down to the following activities:
• securing basic vital functions (breathing, circulation);
• you must not make yourself vomit as this can severely damage your lungs;
• removal of contaminated clothing;
• isolating the patient from objects that may have come into contact with the poison; washing contaminated skin with plenty of soap and water;
• providing warmth and peace;
• calling a doctor immediately (transport of the poisoned patient must take place only under the supervision of a physician, as in severe poisonings, ventricular fibrillation and respiratory paralysis can occur quickly);
• it is necessary to conduct a careful interview quickly so as not to neglect anything in the further process of treatment.
In mild cases of poisoning in conscious patients, or only in cases of suspected poisoning with solvents, it is advisable to administer 100–200 ml of liquid paraffin and 30 g of Glauber’s salt. Do not give milk, castor oil, fats.
In the case of acute poison with organic solvents by inhalation first aid consists in: removing the patient from the health-threatening atmosphere; securing basic life activities; providing warmth and peace; rinsing the conjunctiva with plenty of water; Immediate transport of the patient to hospital for specialist treatment; thorough visual inspection of the accident site, securing traces, performing decontamination activities.