chemical hazards Flashcards
in what manufacture is lead high in exposure ?
lead acid batteries
lead paints, ink and dyes
lead pipes
what are the routes of exposure of lead ?
inhalation of lead dusts or fumes
ingestion of lead dust with food and drinks
not absorbed through the skin
what is the main route of exposure of lead in children ?
through ingestion
what are the health effects of lead ?
1. anemia, reticulocytosis 2 .nephropathy , renal hypertension 3. blue grey lead line in the gums 4. abdominal colic, constipation and vomiting 5. reduced fertility in males, spontaneous abortion 6. neurotoxic
what are the CNS effects caused by lead ?
- encephalopathy
2. peripheral motor neuropathy (foot drop and wrist drop)
what biologic monitors are used for lead poisoning ?
- high blood lead level (more than 40 microgram )
2. urinary excretion of heme precursors as DALA
what are the uses and exposures of mercury ?
- used in thermometers
- dental filling
- catalysts in industries
- mercury batteries
- fungicides and fumigant
- Mercury lamps
what is the main route of exposure of mercury ?
inhalation mainly
but also oral and dermal
what are the health effects that mercury causes ?
- respiratory: acute pneumonitis
- renal: proteinuria, renal tubular necrosis, renal failure
3.neurological: peripheral sensory neuropathy
and tremors
what are the effects that inorganic mercury has on the CNS ?
personality changes ((Erethism)
what is the health effect of organic mercury ?
minamata disease
associated with ataxia and hearing impairment
what are the biological monitors of mercury poisoning ?
mercury levels in the blood and urine
what are the uses of cadmium ?
- nickel cadmium battery production
- electroplating industry
- pigment in the glass industry
what occupations are at risk of the health effects of cadmium ?
welders
what is the route of exposure of cadmium ?
inhalation and ingestion
what are the health effects of cadmium ?
- Lungs: bronchitis and chemical pneumonitis
focal emphysema (inhibition of alpha 1 anti-trypsin) - associated with fanconi syndrome
- osteomalacia ((itai itai disease)
what are the characteristics of itai itai disease ?
renal tubular dysfunction
severe osteomalacia
which industries require the use of chromium ?
stainless steel industry
leather tanning
what are the health effects of chromium ?
- irritation of the respiratory tract
- contact dermatitis ( chrome holes)
- lung cancer
inn what industry is aluminium mainly used ?
airplane industry
what are the health effects of aluminium ?
lung fibrosis
dementia and Alzheimer
what are the types of toxic gases ?
asphyxiant gases ( simple and chemical) irritants (( UR irritants, LR irritants)
what are the three main asphyxiants ?
carbon monoxide
hydrogen disulfide
hydrogen cyanide
when can an individual be exposed to carbon monoxide ?
incomplete combustion
when can an individual be exposed to hydrogen disulfide ?
petroleum industry
when can an individual be exposed to hydrogen cyanide ?
electroplating industry
what is the action of carbon monoxide ?
higher affinity to Hb
what is the action of hydrogen disulfide and hydrogen cyanide ?
inhibition of cytochrome oxidase, blocking oxygen uutilisation
what is the clinical picture of asphyxiant gases ?
dyspnea blurring of the vision delirium arrhythmia cyanosis except in CM
what is the treatment for asphyxiant gases ?
remove from exposure
oxygen supply
CPR
what are examples of upper airway irritant gases ?
chlorine (bleaching)
ammonia ( fertilizers)
what is the clinical picture of upper airway irritant gases ?
lacrimation skin irritation cough sneezing dyspnea
what is the treatment for upper airway irritant gases ?
remove from exposure
oxygen supply
CPR
what is the clinical picture of lower airway irritants ?
dyspnea
bubbling crepitations dur to pulmonary oedema
what is the treatment for lower respiratory irritants ?
same as asphyxiants plus corticosteroids
what are the acute health effects of solvents ?
nonspecific depression of the CNS
what are the chronic health effects of solvents ?
1.presenile dementia
or
2.chronic solvent intoxication:
mood disturbances, memory loss and difficulty concentration
what are the skin effects of solvents ?
dermatitis
what are the respiratory effects of solvents ?
irritation of the respiratory tract
sore nose and throat
what are the blood effects of solvents ?
benzene causes aplastic anemia after months to years of exposure may lead to leukemia
when does the exposure of pesticides mainly happen ?
in agriculture
through preparation, application
what are the main types of pesticides ?
organophosphates
organochlorine
carbamate
what are the health effects of Organophosphate and carbamates?
inhibit acetycholinesterase activity
causing increase and saliva production, diarrhea, vomiting, small pupils and muscle tremors
what are the health effects of organochlorine pesticides ?
neurological effects
endocrine disorders
reproductive disorders
hepatic damage
what cancer are organochlorine pesticides commonly associated with ?
non-hodgkin lymphomas
which metal will cause auditory disturbances and ataxia ?
mercury
what occupational lung disease is quartz associated with ?
silicosis
what occupational lung disease is cotton associated with ?
byssinosis
what are the lower respiratory tract irritant gases ?
nitrogen oxides
what is the mechanism of action of lower respiratory tract irritants ?
delayed pulmonary oedema as they are insoluble inn water
what is the main injury associated with infrared rays ?
posterior polar cataract
what is the most probable hazard associated with working in the petrochemical industry ?
benzene causes aplastic anemia upon prolonged exposure
what investigations would you ask a person working in the petrochemical industry ?
CBC due to aplastic anemia caused by benzene
