Acid vapor poisoning

Acids are complex substances with one or more hydrogen atoms and an acid residue in their molecules. Chemical compounds give up a hydrogen cation or accept an electron pair to form a covalent bond. Acids have a wide classification by composition, number of hydrogen atoms and other features. But all these substances are dangerous for living organisms.

Hydrochloric acid vapor poisoning

Hydrochloric acid is found in the body and is the main component of gastric juice. Its concentration is from 0.3 to 0.5%, and its aggressive properties allow you to protect the body from viruses and bacteria that have entered the GI tract. The substance promotes the process of digestion, stimulates the work of the pancreas.

The most severe poisoning is considered to be poisoning by hydrochloric acid vapor HCl. This colorless liquid with a specific odor is capable of dissolving metals. In the air it smokes, forming water vapor with tiny droplets, fog.

Hydrogen chloride is used for industrial purposes:

• Making alcohols, other acids, glue.
• Pharmaceutical and textile manufacturing.
• Galvanoplasty.
• Leather industry and other.

Acid with a concentration of 24 to 38% is particularly toxic. Intoxication by hydrochloric acid vapors and mists most often occurs in laboratory and industrial conditions, in case of violation of the technological process, neglect of personal protective equipment and violation of safety at the workplace.

Symptoms of body damage:

• Itchiness, stuffiness, and pain in the nasopharynx.
• Rhea and foreign body sensation in the eye.
• Heavy lacrimation.
• Shortness of breath.
• Cough.
• Nosebleeds.
• Nasal mucous discharge with blood.
• Photophobia.
• Hyperemia of the ocular mucosa.

If the substance gets on the skin or mucous membranes, it begins to interact with tissue proteins, causing coagulation necrosis. Ulcers and erosions are formed on the mucosa of the respiratory tract, in particularly severe cases asphyxia develops.

The most dangerous form of acute inhalation intoxication with chlorine is toxic pulmonary edema, which is manifested by such symptomatology:

• General weakness.
• Painful sensations in the sternum.
• Cough with frothy sputum with bloody impurities.
• Tachycardia.
• Cyanosis of the skin.
• Moist wheezing.

Pathological symptomatology persists for about 48 hours, reversing in the next 2-3 days. If acid vapors have a chronic effect on the body, it leads to the development of non-infectious inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, ulceration of mucous membranes, destruction of teeth, GI disorders.

Regardless of the degree of poisoning, the patient needs medical attention. First aid in hydrochloric acid vapor poisoning consists in evacuation of the victim from the place of contamination. It is necessary to provide access to fresh air, rinse the nose and open skin areas with 2% soda solution and running water. If the victim is unconscious, he should be placed on his side to prevent aspiration of vomit masses when vomiting. Further treatment is aimed at maintaining vital activity and restoring the functions of the affected organs.

Acetic acid vapor poisoning

CH3COOH is a colorless and flammable liquid with a pungent odor. The substance is obtained by oxidation of acetaldehyde, and its food form is obtained by acetic acid fermentation of ethanol. Acetic acid is used in the pharmaceutical industry, for the production of marinades, preserves, seasonings. In addition, the acid takes part in the metabolic processes of many living organisms.

Acid poisoning most often occurs when it is administered orally. Once in the body, the substance causes a chemical burn, which negatively affects the state of the kidneys and liver. In the household, table vinegar - 6-9% aqueous solution - is most often found. Vinegar essence - 70-80% solution. In the first case, the lethal dose is 200 ml, and for essence - 30-50 ml of the product.

Depending on the severity of damage to the body, several stages of intoxication are distinguished:

1. Mild - minor burns of the mouth and esophagus, internal organs slightly affected.
2. Medium - the stomach is affected, blood clots and shock develops.
3. Severe - the walls of the digestive tract, upper respiratory tract are affected. On this background, renal failure and severe pain shock develop.

Common symptoms of acetic acid intoxication:

• Blood clotting.
• Hemoglobinuria.
• Acute renal failure.
• Toxic burn shock.
• Acute renal failure.
• Acidosis.

Acetic acid vapor poisoning is also characterized by increased lacrimation, coughing, runny nose. If inhalation of vapors occurred, it leads to chemical burns of the respiratory tract. In this case, the victim requires emergency medical care.

Sulfuric acid vapor poisoning

Sulfuric acid is an oily liquid without color and odor. According to toxicological properties it belongs to the II-nd class of hazard by degree of impact on living organism. In case of contact with tissues it causes severe chemical burns. Acid vapors are so caustic that they instantly damage the respiratory tract, causing coughing, breathing difficulties, laryngitis, tracheitis.

The basic classification of sulfuric acid lesions of the body:

1. Spicy

• Chemical burns - local inflammatory reaction, coagulation necrosis. Functional and morphological changes of internal organs develop, which are caused by reflex shifts. The lesion is manifested by erythema, tissue edema, necrosis of skin and underlying tissues.
• Inhalation poisoning - inflammatory and necrotic lesions of respiratory tract mucosa and alveolar epithelium. Dystrophic changes in internal organs due to resorptive action of the poison. Inhalation of the substance causes acute headaches, vomiting. In particularly severe cases, toxic pulmonary edema develops, convulsive and comatose states, violation of the general condition.
• Combined lesions (chemical burns, inhalation poisoning, trauma).

2. Chronic - disorders of many organs and systems that are poorly treatable or irreversible.

Inhalation of high concentrations of sulfuric acid vapors causes swelling of the larynx and lungs, tissue burns, spasms of the vocal cleft. In particularly severe cases, a shock state with fatal outcome develops. With the development of toxic pulmonary edema, water retention in the body occurs. The pressure in the capillaries of the lungs increases, the permeability of their vascular walls increases, the oncotic pressure of blood decreases, lymph flow from the lungs is disturbed.

At the first signs of sulfuric acid injury, an ambulance should be called. To reduce venous return of blood and reduce preload, the patient is given Nitroglycerin 10 mg intravenous drip under control of blood pressure. Diuretics are also indicated to transfer edema fluid into the vascular bed and reduce pulmonary congestion. To control acute pain syndrome and hyperventilation of the lungs administer Morphine 1 ml of 1% solution. Further treatment and prognosis depend on the severity of the painful condition.

Nitric acid vapor poisoning

HNO3 or nitric acid is a strong mono-basic acid. The substance is colorless; if exposed to light or heat, it decomposes, giving off poisonous vapors, nitric oxide. Salts of nitric acid are nitrates. The concentrated liquid is used as a reagent in laboratories and industrial production.

If acid gets on the skin or mucous membranes, it causes chemical burns, the severity and depth of which depend on the concentration of the substance and the area affected. If swallowed, it causes burns of the mucosa of the esophagus, GI organs with severe spasm and swelling of the larynx.

Symptoms of inhalation intoxication by nitric acid vapor:

• Irritation and burning of the eyes.
• Burn of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and larynx.
• Nosebleeds.
• Sore throat.
• hoarseness of voice due to spasms of the vocal cleft.
• Airway edema.

If acid is ingested, the digestive tract suffers first of all: sharp pain in the mouth and along the course of the esophagus. The victim develops severe vomiting with blood, GI bleeding, profuse salivation, mechanical asphyxia.

Very often the complication of poisoning is purulent tracheobronchitis, pneumonia, scarring of the stomach and esophagus, burn asthenia and others. In case of particularly severe damage to the body, there is a risk of lethal outcome from burn shock.

The first aid for the victim of vapor inhalation is to ensure fresh air supply and release from constricting clothing. Open areas of the body should be washed with clean water, rinse the mouth well with a solution of 2% soda or furacilin solution.

If poisoning is caused by ingestion of toxin, an ambulance should be called immediately. Before the arrival of the medics, it is necessary to ensure normal breathing, rinse the stomach and give the patient alkaline drinking. Further treatment takes place in a hospital and depends on the severity of the painful condition.

Citric acid vapor poisoning

Most often intoxication by citric acid vapors occurs in household conditions. Food additive E330 is included in many food products, used as a preservative (protects products from the influence of heavy metals and their compounds). The acid is also used in the food industry and in medicine.

Symptoms of body damage:

• Deterioration of general well-being.
• Respiratory distress.
• Dry cough.
• A scratchy throat.
• Painful sensations in the mouth and esophagus.
• General weakness, lethargy.
• Pale skin.
• Heart palpitations.
• Decrease in blood pressure.
• Seizures.
• Loss of consciousness.

Pathologic symptoms develop gradually. The more concentrated the vapors of inhaled acid, the faster the painful symptoms will appear. If the acid gets on the skin, the victim feels sharp pain, the skin turns red, and a burn appears.

For first aid, the victim should be taken out into clean air and an ambulance should be called. If the substance got on the skin, the tissues are washed under running water. If the acid was taken inside, the victim should put ice on the abdomen (the vessels will narrow and the poison will be absorbed more slowly). Gastric lavage is not carried out, as the back passage of acid is a serious burn of the esophagus. The oral cavity is rinsed with cool water. Further treatment is carried out by physicians in hospital.

Citric acid vapors have a negative effect on the entire body. Severe intoxication causes severe bleeding from the GI organs, renal and hepatic failure, pulmonary artery thrombosis, cardiovascular system disorders, shock and much more. With timely treatment, the risk of developing the above complications is minimal.