Industrial Toxins

Question 1

Which is more lethal - sweet crude oil or sour crude oil?

Answer 1

Sweet crude oil (gasoline - low temperature distillates) - 48ml/kg = minimal lethal dose based on death caused by aspiration pneumonia over a week

Sour crude oil (lubricating oil - high temperature distillates) - 74 ml/kg = minimal lethal dose based on death caused by aspiration pneumonia over a week

Question 2

Refined petroleum products can be classified by their carbons; what are the different categories?

Answer 2

1. aliphatic hydrocarbons: Short chain aliphatics (less than 5 carbons) = methan, ethane, propane
   * long chain aliphatics (5 or more carbons) = gasoline, kerosene, mineral oil etc
2. Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (dry cleaning and degreasing solutions)
3. Aromatic or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (paints, glues, resins)

Question 3

What is the MOA of industrial petroleum?

Answer 3

Highly irritating to the skin and mm
Many petroleum products contain toxic materials
Some oils may contain chlorinated napthalenes - can chronically cause hyperkeratosis

Question 4

T/F: Short chain aliphatics have a high toxicity and are very volatile

Answer 4

FALSE

short chain = low toxicity and very volatile

Question 5

T/F: Long chain aliphatics cause aspiration pneumonia

Answer 5

TRUE

gasoline, kerosene, petroleum distillates

Question 6

T/F: Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon toxicity will affect CNS

Answer 6

TRUE

Question 7

What petroleum products can cause bone marrow suppression?

Answer 7

Aromatic hydrocarbons at 60 ppm in air following chronic exposure

Question 8

What species are the most susceptible to crude petroleum substances?

Answer 8

Cattle

but other animals can be affected - dogs, cats, horses

Question 9

Small animals are most frequently poisoned with what kind of petroleum products?

Answer 9

Refined petroleum products

Question 10

What is the most common exposure terrestrial, aquatic wildlife, and birds have to petroleum products?

Answer 10

Oil spills

Question 11

What is the relationship between the boiling points of petroleum and their toxicity?

Answer 11

Low BP = more volatility = more toxic because there is more absorption - especially through inhalation

High BP = low volatility - compounds such as asphalt, mineral oil, or waxes - generally less toxic bc of poor absorption

**low BP = low viscosity = low surface tension - generally have more pneumotoxic effects

Question 12

What petroleum products tend to have more pneumotoxic effects?

Answer 12

Ones with low boiling points - they will impair respiration

Question 13

What is the relationship between absorption of petroleum products and their molecular weight?

Answer 13

Lower molecular weight = more absorption

*readily absorbed from the GI mucosa, through skin, and inhalation

Question 14

T/F: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are less readily absorbed than aliphatic hydrocarbons

Answer 14

FALSE

reverse

Question 15

The main pathology seen with petroleum poisoning is…?

Answer 15

aspiration pneumonia or chemical pneumonitis

then secondary bacterial infection

death due to hypoxia

Question 16

what are the main effects of petroleum in the GIT?

Answer 16

Direct irritation of the GI mucosa will cause vomiting, colic, and dhr

Question 17

What systemic effects can be seen due to petroleum poisoning?

Answer 17

Main systemic toxic effect is CNS depression

liver and kidney damage

bone marrow suppression

cardiac arrhythmias and arrest

Question 18

through what process(s) in the liver are aliphatic and PAH metabolized?

Answer 18

oxidation and hydroxylation

Question 19

How are PAH excreted in urine, bile, and or feces?

Answer 19

as conjugates with glucuronic or sulfuric acids or glycine in urine or bile

Question 20

Volatile aliphatic hydrocarbons are partly metabolized and excreted through the _____

Answer 20

LUNGS

Question 21

What do petroleum products do to cells of the lungs?

Answer 21

Direct contact causes rapid dissolution of the lipid part of the cell
membranes resulting in swelling, inflammation, pulmonary edema,
bronchoconstriction and necrosis

Question 22

T/F: Oily substances aspirated into the lungs can be removed via coughing

Answer 22

FALSE

Question 23

signs of petroleum poisoning include…?

Answer 23

Signs of aspiration pneumonia
Smell or oil or kerosene etc
oil in the feces

Question 24

What diagnostic test may help dx petroleum toxicity?

Answer 24

Radiography will show typical signs of aspiration pneumonia within hours of ingestion

Question 25

What treatment can be done for petroleum ingestion?

Answer 25

activated charcoal or mineral oil decontamination of exterior supportive care

Question 26

T/F: Emetics, gastric lavage, and glucocorticoids are beneficial to patients that have been exposed to petroleum products

Answer 26

FALSE these are all contraindicated

Question 27

What is the prognosis of petroleum poisoning?

Answer 27

Depends on the severity Prognosis is guarded to poor in severe cases due to persistence of oil in the lungs

Question 28

What is the MOA of non industrial fluoride?

Answer 28

Fluoride binds to tooth enamel by replacing the hydroxyl molecule and makes the tooth more resistant to acid attack from plaque bacteria and sugars

Question 29

T/F: Non industrial fluorides are very toxic to pets

Answer 29

false although this is sometimes debated

Question 30

What are the industrial fluoride products animals may be exposed to?

Answer 30

``` Sodium fluoride (highly toxic) Sodium fluorosilicate (highly toxic) Sodium fluoroaluminate (Cryolite) Hydrofluoric acid ```

Question 31

Forages and pastures can be contaminated from industry or aiborne contamination of which industrial fluoride?

Answer 31

Cryolite aka sodium fluoroaluminate used as a pesticide

Question 32

T/F: Fluoride is a normal constituent of forages

Answer 32

TRUE grazing plants grown in fluoride rich soil Hebaceous parts of plants accumulate large amounts

Question 33

What mineral does fluoride have a strong affinity for?

Answer 33

Calcium

Question 34

Is acute or chronic fluoride toxicosis more common?

Answer 34

Chronic especially seen in cattle

Question 35

T/F: Soluble sodium fluoride is more toxic than calcium fluoride

Answer 35

TRUE

Question 36

What age animals are more sensitive to fluoride toxicity? Why?

Answer 36

Young animals since they have developing bones and teeth

Question 37

Soluble flourides are readily absorbed from the _________ and distributed throughout the body

Answer 37

intestinal tract

Question 38

Where is fluoride stored in the body?

Answer 38

In the bones and teeth Normal level in cattle bone is 1000-1500 ppm Tissue level will be elevated about 2-3x in toxicosis

Question 39

What is the mode of excretion of fluoride?

Answer 39

urine

Question 40

What is the MOA of acute fluoride toxicosis?

Answer 40

(this is less common) there is a caustic effect on the GI mucosa- which will enhance absorption *hypocalcemia, Inhibition of mitochondrial enzymes and cellular respiration --> HYPOXIA

Question 41

what is the MOA of chronic fluoride toxicosis?

Answer 41

Alteration and delaying mineralization of teeth and production of abnormal bone causing intermittent lameness, bony protrusions (exostoses), osteoporosis, loss of dentine, patchy brown color to teeth, amorexia, emaciation, rough haircoat, reduced milk production and reproduction

Question 42

What levels of fluoride in the bone will be significant? What other levels will confirm recent fluoride exposure?

Answer 42

greater than 1500 ppm in the bone levels in the urine - 15-20 ppm

Question 43

How can you treat fluoride toxicosis?

Answer 43

Best thing to do is balance the diet with increased intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D