Carbon Dioxide Poisoning
What is carbon dioxide poisoning? What are the causes and symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning? Read on to know how to identify if a person is suffering from carbon dioxide poisoning and how to treat him...
Carbon dioxide is a natural by-product of the various reactions that take place inside our body. Exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide can increase the amount of this gas in the blood. The result is carbon dioxide poisoning which is also referred to as hypercapnia or hypercarbia. In our blood, carbon dioxide is in equilibrium with bicarbonates. Hence blood tests in case of hypercapnia may show increased levels of bicarbonates as well.Carbon Dioxide Poisoning - CausesCarbon dioxide is being produced continuously by the cells of our body. Inability of the body in expelling this gas or exposure to air having high concentrations of carbon dioxide leads to carbon dioxide poisoning. Re-breathing exhaled air due to conditions like sleeping in air tight tents or sleeping with heads covered in blankets can cause hypercapnia. Working in confined areas that have poor air circulation as in mines, holds of ships, or underground tunnels and shafts may also raise levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Breathing in areas with high levels of carbon dioxide such as areas close to a volcano makes one susceptible to such health problems. Scuba divers are particularly at risk. If carbon dioxide is not properly filtered out or in case their breathing equipment malfunctions, divers can suffer from high levels of carbon dioxide in blood. Besides these external conditions, medical conditions like lung diseases, respiratory problems, and neuromuscular disorder can also trigger carbon dioxide poisoning. Carbon Dioxide Poisoning - SymptomsMild carbon dioxide poisoning symptoms are:
Muscle twitching
Reduced neural activity
Flushed skin
High blood pressure
As the severity of hypercapnia increases, the following carbon dioxide poisoning symptoms may be experienced:
Headache
Lethargy
Elevated rate of cardiac output
Irregular heartbeat
Panic
Convulsions
Unconsciousness
Eventually death
Carbon Dioxide Poisoning -Treatment'Prevention is better than cure'. Be alert if working in an environment with high levels of carbon dioxide in the air or if suffering from any medical condition that may make a person susceptible to carbon dioxide poisoning. Knowing the cause will help in the treatment. Be conversant with the symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning. In case a person is suffering from hypercapnia take him out to an environment where there is proper circulation of air. Individuals exposed to mild levels of carbon dioxide in air should recover fully on their own. However, if it is a case of severe toxicity, caused due to exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide then it is best to call in an ambulance. It is important to ensure that the air passage of the patient is clear of any blockage. In case one has access to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) put the mask on the patient's mouth. CPAP helps in restoring normal breathing by providing mechanical ventilation in case the patient's breathing is compromised. Medications to improve lung functions may also help. Ensure that the patient has enough amount of oxygen to breathe. Although such conditions are ideally provided in hospitals, portable oxygen tents or canisters of breathable oxygen can also be of help. Emergency supportive care, such as endotracheal intubation and hemodynamic support can also be administered. However, such steps are taken only under the supervision of healthcare professionals. People may also suffer from hypercapnia in case they are working at high altitudes. In such a case, move the patient to a lower altitude where the air has higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere. The amounts of acid and oxygen in the blood of a patient should be checked regularly to determine the level of carbon dioxide in blood. People working in conditions that do not have proper air circulation need to be aware of carbon dioxide poisoning and its symptoms. Ensure whatever initial help you can provide to the patient. Even if the patient recovers, it is always advisable to take him to the physician and follow the levels of carbon dioxide in blood through proper tests.
Chlorine poisoning
Definition
Chlorine is a chemical that prevents bacteria from growing. Chlorine poisoning occurs when someone swallows or breathes in (inhales) chlorine.
Poisonous Ingredient
· Chlorine, which reacts with water in and out of the body to form hydrochloric acid and hypochlorous acid. Both are extremely poisonous.
Where Found
· Gas released when mixing bleach with some of the powdered cleansing products and ammonia (chloramine gas)
· Gas released when opening a partially filled industrial container of chlorine tablets that have been sitting for several months (for example, the first opening of a container after a pool has been closed all winter)
· Mild cleaners
· Some bleach products
· Swimming pool water (and tablets used in swimming pool water)
Note: This list may not include all uses of chlorine.
Symptoms
· Airways and lungs
· Breathing difficulty (from breathing in the chlorine)
· Throat swelling (may also cause breathing difficulty)
· Water filling the lungs (pulmonary edema)
· Blood
· Severe change in acid levels of the blood (pH balance) which leads to damage in all of the body organs
· Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
· Loss of vision
· Severe pain in the throat
· Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
· Gastrointestinal
· Blood in the stool
· Burns of the food pipe (esophagus)
· Severe abdominal pain
· Vomiting
· Vomiting blood
· Heart and blood vessels
· Collapse
· Low blood pressure that develops rapidly
· Skin
· Burns
· Holes (necrosis) in the skin or tissues underneath
· Irritation
Home Care
Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.
If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.
If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. Do NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.
If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her to fresh air.
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
· Patient's age, weight, and condition
· Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
· Time it was swallowed
· Amount swallowed
Poison Control
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:
· Activated charcoal
· Breathing tube
· Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
· Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
· Fluids
· Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
· Oxygen
· Surgical removal of burned skin (skin debridement)
· Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
· Washing of the skin (irrigation) -- perhaps every few hours for several days
You may be admitted to the hospital if the poisoning is severe.
Instructions
1. Step 1
Identify the symptoms of chlorine poisoning. Inhaling chlorine commonly causes respiratory difficulties, along with severe burning of the eyes, ears, nose and throat. It may also produce swelling in the throat and fluid in the lungs. Ingesting chlorine results in gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, burning in the esophagus and vomiting.
2. Step 2
Treat exposure of the skin or eyes to chlorine by flushing with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Move the patient into fresh air in cases involving inhaled chlorine.
3. Step 3
Administer water or milk for cases of ingested chlorine if the patient is able to swallow without difficulty. Ingesting chlorine can cause convulsions, vomiting and reduced alertness.
4. Step 4
Handle chlorine poisoning by ingestion in an emergency room setting. Insert a nasograstic tube through the nose to perform a gastric lavage. Activated charcoal also is effective in absorbing chlorine. Remove the patient's clothing if is contaminated with liquid chlorine.
5. Step 5
Provide treatment for inhaled chlorine in the emergency room. Provide supplemental oxygen and administer beta agonists, such as albuterol and ipratropium at first. Non-responsive patients also should receive aminophylline or terbutaline. Use a 4-percent solution of nebulized lidocaine as an analgesic agent and to reduce coughing.
chloroform
Instructions
1. Step 1
Know the symptoms. Chloroform was once used as a general anesthetic and as one might expect, the most obvious symptom is depression of the central nervous system. Small amounts can cause loss of consciousness and death due to cardiac or respiratory arrest may occur within a few minutes of heavy exposure.
2. Step 2
Seek treatment in a hospital for chloroform poisoning. Contaminated clothing should be removed and washed.
3. Step 3
Clean up spills while wearing breathing apparatus and gloves. Apply a dispersing agent if available, otherwise absorb the spillage using sand and a shovel. Unprotected people should keep a safe distance as chloroform is both powerful and fast-acting. The work atmosphere should not contain more than 10 parts per million of chloroform.
4. Step 4
Administer supportive treatment and monitor cardiac and respiratory functioning. Respiratory assistance and cardiac defibrillation is often needed. Gastric decontamination is not helpful as chloroform is absorbed rapidly.
5. Step 5
Treat long-term effects from severe chloroform poisoning. Treat kidney or liver failure with dialysis and replace fluids as needed. Patients may exhibit nerve damage in the form of tremors or shaking in the limbs. This frequently disappears after a few days without any treatment.
Chloroform Poisoning
This liquid is much used in Europe, but less than ether in this country, as an anaesthetic, by being breathed to annul the pain of surgical operations. It is more dangerous, by far, than ether or nitrous oxide, in this mode of employment; and, of course, it should never be taken or given in this way by an unprofessional person. Symptoms of chloroform poisoning are those of stupor, from which the patient cannot be roused. This may be preceded by signs of great irritation of the stomach; as chloroform is very pungent and heating when swallowed. Treatment requires an emetic at once (see Aconite, Treatment) ; and then, as there is no chemical antidote, dashing cold water on the face and chest, and, if it can be obtained, the galvanic battery ; as a last resort, artificial respiration.
What is carbon dioxide poisoning? What are the causes and symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning? Read on to know how to identify if a person is suffering from carbon dioxide poisoning and how to treat him...
Carbon dioxide is a natural by-product of the various reactions that take place inside our body. Exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide can increase the amount of this gas in the blood. The result is carbon dioxide poisoning which is also referred to as hypercapnia or hypercarbia. In our blood, carbon dioxide is in equilibrium with bicarbonates. Hence blood tests in case of hypercapnia may show increased levels of bicarbonates as well.Carbon Dioxide Poisoning - CausesCarbon dioxide is being produced continuously by the cells of our body. Inability of the body in expelling this gas or exposure to air having high concentrations of carbon dioxide leads to carbon dioxide poisoning. Re-breathing exhaled air due to conditions like sleeping in air tight tents or sleeping with heads covered in blankets can cause hypercapnia. Working in confined areas that have poor air circulation as in mines, holds of ships, or underground tunnels and shafts may also raise levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Breathing in areas with high levels of carbon dioxide such as areas close to a volcano makes one susceptible to such health problems. Scuba divers are particularly at risk. If carbon dioxide is not properly filtered out or in case their breathing equipment malfunctions, divers can suffer from high levels of carbon dioxide in blood. Besides these external conditions, medical conditions like lung diseases, respiratory problems, and neuromuscular disorder can also trigger carbon dioxide poisoning. Carbon Dioxide Poisoning - SymptomsMild carbon dioxide poisoning symptoms are:
Muscle twitching
Reduced neural activity
Flushed skin
High blood pressure
As the severity of hypercapnia increases, the following carbon dioxide poisoning symptoms may be experienced:
Headache
Lethargy
Elevated rate of cardiac output
Irregular heartbeat
Panic
Convulsions
Unconsciousness
Eventually death
Carbon Dioxide Poisoning -Treatment'Prevention is better than cure'. Be alert if working in an environment with high levels of carbon dioxide in the air or if suffering from any medical condition that may make a person susceptible to carbon dioxide poisoning. Knowing the cause will help in the treatment. Be conversant with the symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning. In case a person is suffering from hypercapnia take him out to an environment where there is proper circulation of air. Individuals exposed to mild levels of carbon dioxide in air should recover fully on their own. However, if it is a case of severe toxicity, caused due to exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide then it is best to call in an ambulance. It is important to ensure that the air passage of the patient is clear of any blockage. In case one has access to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) put the mask on the patient's mouth. CPAP helps in restoring normal breathing by providing mechanical ventilation in case the patient's breathing is compromised. Medications to improve lung functions may also help. Ensure that the patient has enough amount of oxygen to breathe. Although such conditions are ideally provided in hospitals, portable oxygen tents or canisters of breathable oxygen can also be of help. Emergency supportive care, such as endotracheal intubation and hemodynamic support can also be administered. However, such steps are taken only under the supervision of healthcare professionals. People may also suffer from hypercapnia in case they are working at high altitudes. In such a case, move the patient to a lower altitude where the air has higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere. The amounts of acid and oxygen in the blood of a patient should be checked regularly to determine the level of carbon dioxide in blood. People working in conditions that do not have proper air circulation need to be aware of carbon dioxide poisoning and its symptoms. Ensure whatever initial help you can provide to the patient. Even if the patient recovers, it is always advisable to take him to the physician and follow the levels of carbon dioxide in blood through proper tests.
Chlorine poisoning
Definition
Chlorine is a chemical that prevents bacteria from growing. Chlorine poisoning occurs when someone swallows or breathes in (inhales) chlorine.
Poisonous Ingredient
· Chlorine, which reacts with water in and out of the body to form hydrochloric acid and hypochlorous acid. Both are extremely poisonous.
Where Found
· Gas released when mixing bleach with some of the powdered cleansing products and ammonia (chloramine gas)
· Gas released when opening a partially filled industrial container of chlorine tablets that have been sitting for several months (for example, the first opening of a container after a pool has been closed all winter)
· Mild cleaners
· Some bleach products
· Swimming pool water (and tablets used in swimming pool water)
Note: This list may not include all uses of chlorine.
Symptoms
· Airways and lungs
· Breathing difficulty (from breathing in the chlorine)
· Throat swelling (may also cause breathing difficulty)
· Water filling the lungs (pulmonary edema)
· Blood
· Severe change in acid levels of the blood (pH balance) which leads to damage in all of the body organs
· Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
· Loss of vision
· Severe pain in the throat
· Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
· Gastrointestinal
· Blood in the stool
· Burns of the food pipe (esophagus)
· Severe abdominal pain
· Vomiting
· Vomiting blood
· Heart and blood vessels
· Collapse
· Low blood pressure that develops rapidly
· Skin
· Burns
· Holes (necrosis) in the skin or tissues underneath
· Irritation
Home Care
Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.
If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.
If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. Do NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.
If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her to fresh air.
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
· Patient's age, weight, and condition
· Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
· Time it was swallowed
· Amount swallowed
Poison Control
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:
· Activated charcoal
· Breathing tube
· Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
· Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
· Fluids
· Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
· Oxygen
· Surgical removal of burned skin (skin debridement)
· Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
· Washing of the skin (irrigation) -- perhaps every few hours for several days
You may be admitted to the hospital if the poisoning is severe.
Instructions
1. Step 1
Identify the symptoms of chlorine poisoning. Inhaling chlorine commonly causes respiratory difficulties, along with severe burning of the eyes, ears, nose and throat. It may also produce swelling in the throat and fluid in the lungs. Ingesting chlorine results in gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, burning in the esophagus and vomiting.
2. Step 2
Treat exposure of the skin or eyes to chlorine by flushing with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Move the patient into fresh air in cases involving inhaled chlorine.
3. Step 3
Administer water or milk for cases of ingested chlorine if the patient is able to swallow without difficulty. Ingesting chlorine can cause convulsions, vomiting and reduced alertness.
4. Step 4
Handle chlorine poisoning by ingestion in an emergency room setting. Insert a nasograstic tube through the nose to perform a gastric lavage. Activated charcoal also is effective in absorbing chlorine. Remove the patient's clothing if is contaminated with liquid chlorine.
5. Step 5
Provide treatment for inhaled chlorine in the emergency room. Provide supplemental oxygen and administer beta agonists, such as albuterol and ipratropium at first. Non-responsive patients also should receive aminophylline or terbutaline. Use a 4-percent solution of nebulized lidocaine as an analgesic agent and to reduce coughing.
chloroform
Instructions
1. Step 1
Know the symptoms. Chloroform was once used as a general anesthetic and as one might expect, the most obvious symptom is depression of the central nervous system. Small amounts can cause loss of consciousness and death due to cardiac or respiratory arrest may occur within a few minutes of heavy exposure.
2. Step 2
Seek treatment in a hospital for chloroform poisoning. Contaminated clothing should be removed and washed.
3. Step 3
Clean up spills while wearing breathing apparatus and gloves. Apply a dispersing agent if available, otherwise absorb the spillage using sand and a shovel. Unprotected people should keep a safe distance as chloroform is both powerful and fast-acting. The work atmosphere should not contain more than 10 parts per million of chloroform.
4. Step 4
Administer supportive treatment and monitor cardiac and respiratory functioning. Respiratory assistance and cardiac defibrillation is often needed. Gastric decontamination is not helpful as chloroform is absorbed rapidly.
5. Step 5
Treat long-term effects from severe chloroform poisoning. Treat kidney or liver failure with dialysis and replace fluids as needed. Patients may exhibit nerve damage in the form of tremors or shaking in the limbs. This frequently disappears after a few days without any treatment.
Chloroform Poisoning
This liquid is much used in Europe, but less than ether in this country, as an anaesthetic, by being breathed to annul the pain of surgical operations. It is more dangerous, by far, than ether or nitrous oxide, in this mode of employment; and, of course, it should never be taken or given in this way by an unprofessional person. Symptoms of chloroform poisoning are those of stupor, from which the patient cannot be roused. This may be preceded by signs of great irritation of the stomach; as chloroform is very pungent and heating when swallowed. Treatment requires an emetic at once (see Aconite, Treatment) ; and then, as there is no chemical antidote, dashing cold water on the face and chest, and, if it can be obtained, the galvanic battery ; as a last resort, artificial respiration.
