Gasoline vapor poisoning: signs, effects, treatment

Doctors often come across patient complaints about gasoline poisoning. Potential victims may be employees of service stations and gas stations, as well as the drivers themselves. Children are also rarely poisoned by carelessness or by parental oversight.

You can get poisoned not only by consuming the oil inside: gasoline fumes, which cause signs of internal intoxication when inhaled, are also considered dangerous. How to avoid poisoning than to treat it? How dangerous is the ingress of gasoline in the body? Let's try to answer these and some other questions in an accessible way.

[1], [2]

Epidemiology

Poisoning by chemicals and refined products is a serious issue facing global public health. According to WHO, annually at least 350 thousand people die from unintentional poisoning. More than 90% of such cases are recorded in low and middle income countries. In addition, accidental poisoning annually leads to a loss of about 7.5 million years of healthy life (meaning years of life lost due to disability).

Accurate statistics showing the frequency of gasoline poisoning is not maintained. However, it can be noted that intoxication with oil products occupies one of the first places among household and industrial chemical poisonings.

[3], [4], [5],

Causes of the gasoline poisoning

Gasoline poisoning is considered a severe version of intoxication, and the danger is the internal use of the product, and the ingress of gasoline vapors to the respiratory system.

The toxic amount of gasoline for the human body is 20-50 ml. Poisoning can occur in domestic conditions (in a car garage, in transport), or in the workplace (service stations, gas stations, refineries, etc.).

The quality of the air that a person breathes (especially in industrial areas and near major highways) is equally important for health and can be a serious hazard. In the composition of the air environment there is a huge amount of hydrocarbon compounds: the most dangerous of them are hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, benzene, sulfur compounds. In combination with each other, these compounds are able to exert a pronounced toxic effect on the human body.

Gasoline can cause both acute and chronic poisoning, depending on the dosage and time of exposure to a toxic agent.

[6], [7]

Risk factors

High danger of gasoline poisoning is present in such categories of the population:

• at workers of gas stations;
• for workers in the field of oil refining and transportation of petroleum products;
• for builders, repairmen and representatives of other professions whose work involves the use of gasoline as a solvent and cleaning agent;
• motorists;
• for workers in the field of automotive repair, vehicle maintenance.

[8], [9], [10],

Pathogenesis

Gasoline is an extremely volatile substance that easily enters a state of vapor, easily enters the lungs when inhaled, and has a toxic and narcotic effect on the body. In the mechanism of the development of the toxic effect, the primary role is played by the saturation rate of the central nervous system and blood flow with toxic agents. This factor is recognized as the main in case of rapidly advancing intoxication. Gasoline can enter the circulatory system even through the skin, but this penetration pattern is not significant in case of poisoning.

Gasoline vapors leave the body relatively quickly, as they are eliminated through the respiratory system.

After gasoline enters the body, a disorder of the functional ability of the CNS occurs. The most affected centers are responsible for higher nervous activity. In moderate cases, the conditioned reflexes are disturbed. In severe gasoline poisoning, the cerebellum and the brain stem are affected. Often, respiratory paralysis occurs.

The exact mechanism of the effect of gasoline on the central nervous system is not defined. There are theories about the predominant lesion of the neurovascular system, about the violation of lipoid metabolism in the nervous system.

Harm of gasoline on the human body: pathological anatomy

The pathomorphology of gasoline poisoning is not well understood. It was found that during acute intoxication, the hyperemia of the respiratory tract increases, small hemorrhages appear in the lung tissues and different brain areas, changes in the meninges are observed, and brain swelling develops.

It has been experimentally proven that in case of chronic intoxication with gasoline, pathological changes occur in the pulmonary vessels, in the vascular network of the urinary system, and in the liver. Observed damage to the cellular structures of the brain.

Lightning-fast poisoning with significant concentrations of gasoline is most dangerous for life: most often a person loses consciousness immediately, he develops a coma, and reflexive breathing stops.

[11], [12], [13],

Harm from inhalation of gasoline vapors

How dangerous can petrol poisoning be? Check out the main symptoms of intoxication:

• disturbance of consciousness, convulsions, and even incomplete paralysis;
• abdominal pain, nausea, bloody vomiting (the liver and kidneys are disturbed, urobilin appears in the urine, the development of toxic hepatopathy begins);
• pain in the chest, bloody sputum, difficulty breathing, changes in body temperature, the development of toxic pneumonia.

Mild to moderate poisoning is recorded by unintentional inhalation of gasoline vapor in the air (for example, when pouring oil into other containers, when using solvents or in the manufacture of rubber products). There are descriptions of cases of group intoxication.

When group lesions characteristic symptoms are:

• Drunk;
• bouts of hysterical laughter;
• tearfulness;
• hyper stimulation.

Most of these manifestations are reversible, but some individuals prone to neurotic reactions may experience prolonged seizures.

Symptoms of the gasoline poisoning

If you inhale gasoline vapors for a short time, then mild or moderate poisoning may develop. The clinical picture is similar to alcohol intoxication. For example, the first signs may be:

• weakness, flushing, flushing of the face;
• dizziness of varying intensity;
• shakiness when walking;
• the appearance of hyper stimulation, irritability, or causeless fun;
• heart palpitations;
• nausea to vomiting;
• sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing.

Slight poisoning with the smell of gasoline can manifest itself only a little dizziness and nausea, a violation of appetite. Heavier gasoline poisoning can be complemented by other symptoms. For example, the patient may lose consciousness, his temperature may rise (up to 39-40 ° C), convulsions and hallucinogenic states are possible.

Sharp inhalation of highly concentrated gasoline evaporation is accompanied by a sudden loss of consciousness and cessation of breathing. Such a development is possible with large-scale gasoline leaks, accidental damage to gasoline tank trucks, etc.

Poisoning with gasoline through the mouth (swallowing the product) is accompanied by multiple abundant bouts of vomiting, abundant liquid stool. Often patients feel cramps and abdominal pain. In addition, the clinical picture is supplemented by a violation of the liver, which resembles the signs of non-infectious hepatitis. The enlarged liver begins to be palpable, pain appears in the right hypochondrium. Observed yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, severe weakness.

Chronic gasoline poisoning occurs during frequent and prolonged contact with a poisonous substance - for example, if a person works in the field of oil refining. Chronic intoxication is characterized by the following symptoms:

• violation of the nervous system (aggression, irritability, neurasthenia, hysterical state);
• constant feeling of fatigue, weakening of working capacity, loss of strength;
• malfunctions on the part of the digestive organs, frequent disorders of food digestion (for example, constipations are replaced by diarrhea);
• sexual dysfunction, infertility, worsening of libido.

In addition, prolonged skin contact with gasoline can cause the development of eczema, non-healing cracks and ulcers.

Signs of leaded gasoline poisoning

Leaded gasoline is even more dangerous than regular, known to us oil product. We are talking about gasoline, which is mixed with ethyl liquid - a mixture of tetraethyl lead and organic solvent agents. This gives anti-knock qualities to the product.

Poisoning with leaded gasoline is often found among workers at mixing stations, as well as among carriers who transport and store toxic fuel.

How can I recognize gasoline poisoning with tetraethyl lead?

The initial (latent) period of intoxication can last from a couple of hours to several days. Often, autonomic disorders (slowing of the heartbeat, lowering of temperature and blood pressure, increasing salivation) are detected simultaneously with psychopathologies and cerebral disorders (sleep disturbances, pain in the head, the appearance of hallucinations, etc.).

Light variants of poisoning are manifested by headache, a feeling of pressure in the chest, a state of stupor and confusion, apathy. The vegetopathological triad of symptoms is characteristic: slowing of the heartbeat, lowering of temperature, drop in blood pressure. Often there is a tremor of the fingers on the extended arms, ataxia, dysarthria.

In severe intoxication, the symptoms are more pronounced: there is a loss of orientation, increased anxiety, a state of hyper-arousal, and delusional disorders. Some patients try to hide, resist their delivery to the hospital (persecution mania manifests itself). Psycho-motor stimulation can be transformed into a collaptoid state, which is characterized by a violation of the heart, difficulty breathing. Mental disorders often become protracted, stable.

For chronic poisoning with leaded gasoline, the development of asteno vegetative syndrome is typical. Victims indicate constant weakness, fatigue, lack of concentration, sleep disturbances (sleep is unstable, with frequent dreams of negative content). Patients sleep poorly and little - mostly 2-3 hours a day. Pain in the head is not localized, accompanied by a persistent feeling of heaviness.

Other signs of chronic intoxication may include:

• emotional instability;
• erectile dysfunction;
• increased sweating, dermographism;
• total lethargy, trembling fingers, eyelids.

More severe cases are characterized by the development of toxic encephalopathy, with clinical signs of an organic disorder of the CNS.

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Gasoline poisoning in children

Gasoline poisoning in pediatric patients occurs relatively frequently. This can be explained by the widespread use of gasoline to refuel cars, to dissolve and cleanse liquids, to get rid of insects, etc. If gasoline stocks are kept carelessly in the public domain, then children may accidentally smell the oil product, or even drink it. Depending on the concentration of the toxic substance that has entered the body, varying degrees of poisoning develop: mild, moderate and severe intoxication.

Poisoning in children is characterized by irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive and / or respiratory system, nausea, and vomiting. The higher the dose of the substance taken, the more pronounced the symptoms.

In children up to the age of one, vomiting occurs in every second child who is poisoned by gasoline. In children 1-4 years old, vomiting can occur in every third baby. In older children, this symptom is found even less often - about one out of every four patients. Other signs are:

• cough;
• difficulty breathing;
• tachypnea.

When conducting radiography in almost 90% of cases found painful changes in the lung tissue. The symptoms of kidney damage gradually increase: hematuria, oliguria is observed, protein appears in the urine. In severe poisoning, there is a risk of developing anuria and uremia.

If you use more than 30 ml of gasoline inside the possible violation of the functionality of the central nervous system, which is manifested lethargy, the development of the semi-committee or coma. Rarely convulsions occur.

Complications and consequences

The most dangerous complication that can develop with gasoline poisoning is toxic pneumonia. This is an acute pathological condition that develops in response to the ingestion of a toxic substance in the human body - in this case, gasoline.

Toxic pneumonia can develop quite quickly - within 24-48 hours from the moment of poisoning. After gasoline vapor enters the mucous tissue of the respiratory system, a bronchial spasm occurs, and the inflammatory process begins. Edema is formed, exudate is produced and accumulates, which becomes a favorable basis for the development of toxic pneumonia with the further addition of infection.

It is necessary to understand: under the influence of a toxic substance respiratory paralysis may occur, and death is possible. Therefore, it is necessary to seek medical help at the first signs of gasoline poisoning, to go through all the necessary diagnostic measures. This will avoid negative and very dangerous consequences, such as:

• neurological disorders;
• complications of the heart and vascular network;
• toxic pneumonia;
• pancreas autolysis;
• ulcerative processes in the stomach and / or duodenum;
• renal and / or liver failure;
• chronic colitis, irritable bowel syndrome;
• chronic lesion of the skin.

With especially severe poisoning, the development of multiple organ failure is observed.

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Diagnostics of the gasoline poisoning

For the appointment of effective therapy you need to clearly identify the cause of the poisoning. Despite the fact that the toxic effects of exposure to many chemicals are very similar, some typical features can be identified.

In some cases, a complex toxicological diagnosis is required to identify a toxic agent. Analyzes are gas or liquid chromatography with high resolution, which can be done only in special laboratories. In other cases, the following are taken into account:

• analyzes of vomit samples;
• aspiration gastric fluid;
• blood, urine, feces.

A chemical study of these materials is especially important for determining and assessing the severity of chronic poisoning.

Instrumental diagnosis is necessary to assess the severity of damage to internal organs. So, often requires ultrasound, radiography, electrocardiography, gastroduodenoscopy, spirometry, encephalography, etc.

[18], [19],

Differential diagnosis

In case of gasoline poisoning, a large-scale differential diagnosis is performed with comatose states, convulsive syndromes, acute hepatic and renal failure, and bone marrow suppression. As a rule, neuropsychiatric disorders, abdominal pains, internal bleeding, fever, lowering of arterial pressure, signs of stagnation in the lungs come to the fore with the listed violations.

Diesel fuel poisoning and gasoline poisoning are very similar, because these two types of fuel are refined products. In fact, there are no differences in the treatment of these types of intoxications. Therefore, accurate identification is not required in most cases.

In many cases, the victim himself may not be aware of the cause of the poisoning. This happens with chronic, latent intoxication. Therefore, the diagnosing physician should pay attention to absolutely all manifestations and malfunctions, excluding or confirming this or that pathology.

Acute accidental gasoline poisoning, as a rule, is identified after careful questioning of the patient, his relatives and friends. Sometimes you have to carefully examine the containers found at the site of the likely poisoning.

Chronic poisoning is determined after collecting information about the victim’s professional activity, his lifestyle, hobbies, habits, and living conditions.

Often, during the examination of the patient, the characteristic smell of gasoline is found - however, in most of these situations, the patient is able to indicate the cause of the poisoning himself.

Treatment of the gasoline poisoning

In case of gasoline poisoning, treatment should be carried out only under the supervision of a medical specialist: self-treatment in this case is inappropriate. In no case can not use medications without prior consultation with the doctor.

In case of severe poisoning, the victim is placed in a hospital for diagnosis and treatment, where the following rules will be observed:

• strict bed rest;
• symptomatic therapy;
• therapy aimed at cleansing the body of a toxic agent;
• diet food to improve the functioning of the liver and other vital organs.

What to do in case of gasoline poisoning?

This kind of intoxication requires the obligatory intervention of a doctor, be it a slight poisoning, or a serious one. It is important to normalize the condition of the victim, to prevent the development of complications.

There is no specific antidote capable of neutralizing the toxic effects of gasoline.

In order to bind and remove toxic compounds from the body, you need to use sorbent preparations. Intravenous drip infusion of saline or 5% glucose solution.

Constantly necessary to control the function of the internal systems of the body - especially the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. If there are problems with breathing, this can be an indication for the use of mechanical ventilation, and sometimes - for tracheal intubation.

To prevent circulatory disorders in the brain, nootropic agents are offered to the patient. This may be Phenibut, Tiocetam, Piracetam.

After stabilization of the victim's condition, it is possible to transfer to outpatient treatment, with the bed rest preserved.

First aid

If any signs of gasoline poisoning are found on the victim, the following measures should be taken:

• bring a person out of the room to the open air;
• ensure maximum air flow by loosening the collar, belt, tie, etc .;
• throw a plaid on the victim, jacket, warning of a sharp drop in temperature;
• in case of impairment of consciousness - bring cotton wool dipped in liquid ammonia to the patient's nasal passages;
• if gasoline was taken by the person inside, then it is forbidden to cause the gag reflex;
• you need as soon as possible to call the carriage "emergency".

Washing the stomach of the victim is carried out using a probe, using vaseline oil or a sorbent.

Whether it is inhalation of gasoline vapor, or aspiration of the product, oxygen inhalation is carried out in the hospital, as well as such drugs are administered:

• antibiotics (to prevent the development of pneumonia): 10,000,000 IU of penicillin with 1 g of streptomycin as an intramuscular injection;
• subcutaneous injections of 20% camphor, 2 ml each, cordiamine 2 ml each, 10% caffeine 2 ml each;
• intravenous administration of up to 50 ml of 40% glucose with 1 ml of 0.06% Korglikon or 0.5 ml of 0.05% strophanthin;
• for pain, subcutaneous administration of 1 ml of 1% promedol or 0.1% atropine.

Throughout the therapy, temperature and blood pressure indicators are monitored, and the functional ability of all vital organs is monitored to take appropriate measures in advance for the development of adverse events - for example, when allergies or other hypersensitivity reactions occur.

In chronic poisoning, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapy is prescribed, symptomatic and restorative preparations are prescribed, physiotherapy treatment (hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, treatment with mineral waters, sanatorium-resort therapy).

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Vitamins and Diet

For the speedy recovery of the body after gasoline poisoning, it is necessary to make some adjustments to the diet. For example, in chronic intoxication one should diversify the diet with foods rich in proteins, pectin, calcium, iron, selenium, cobalt, copper. It is necessary to ensure adequate intake of vitamins of group B, PP, ascorbic and pantothenic acid. Menus complement a large number of vegetables, fruits, herbs, as well as dairy products. It is recommended to reduce the presence of fats in food, minimizing the consumption of fatty meat and fish, sausages, canned food, and confectionery. It is desirable to abandon coffee and chocolate.

An additional intake of vitamins in the form of special vitamin-mineral complexes can be recommended by the attending physician to strengthen the immune defense and stabilize the metabolism. Usually such complexes are taken for 2-3 months at the stage of recovery of the body after poisoning. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of ascorbic acid in such preparations, which improves appetite, optimizes immunity and speeds up recovery.

Alternative treatment

The best way to recover from gasoline poisoning is to stay in the open air more often, drink plenty of fluids. In addition, alternative treatment methods can help - in particular, such recipes:

• They drink about a liter of fresh milk, then cause vomiting. This is repeated several times. This procedure promotes the removal of toxic substances from the body.
• Brew a teaspoon of dry chicory in 200 ml of boiling water, incubated for 4 hours in a thermos, filtered. Drink the infusion three times: 30 minutes before meals.
• Take 10 g of grated ginger root, pour 600 ml of boiling water, insist until cooling. This infusion is drunk in the form of heat, in a quarter cup all day long.
• Pour boiling water (300-400 ml) 10 aniseed seeds, infuse for half an hour. Filtered. The infusion is drunk and immediately causes vomiting. This is repeated several times. This procedure helps detoxify the body.

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Herbal medicine

• In case of gasoline poisoning, the dried berries of cranberries (100 g) and lingonberries (200 g) are rubbed, 300 ml of boiling water are poured, they are kept for 2 hours. The mixture is taken in 50 ml 6 times a day.
• Prepare a collection of flaxseed and birch buds (2 tbsp. L.), Wheatgrass and orchard (3 tbsp. L.) And nightshade (1 tbsp. L). Pour 3 tbsp. L such a collection of 1 liter of boiling water, insist for half an hour. Infusion drink 50 ml every 30 minutes.
• Take 20 g of crushed rhizome of devyala, pour 250 ml of boiling water, insist 25 minutes. Take before meals one tablespoon 4 times a day.
• Prepare a mixture of oak bark (2 tbsp. L.), clover (5 tbsp. L.) And field horsetail (5 tbsp. L.). Pour 3 tbsp. L mixtures of 200 ml of boiling water, drink 6-7 times a day, 100 ml.
• Pour 10 g of dry nettle leaves with 250 ml of boiling water, incubate for 20 minutes and filter. Take 1-2 tbsp. L three times a day.

Homeopathy

Competent selection of classic homeopathic remedies will help to quickly eliminate all signs of gasoline poisoning: with mild to moderate intoxication, improvement will be observed for several hours. In addition, homeopathic medicines significantly strengthen the immune system and potentiate the restorative processes.

The basic drugs that can be prescribed for gasoline poisoning are:

Arsenicum Album - prescribed for digestive disorders, adaptable vomiting and spasms;

Hina - used for vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, body aches. Especially important is the use of quinine in severe intoxication.

Carbo vegetabilis - suitable in the presence of such symptoms of poisoning as bloating, fetid diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing.

Lycopodium - is prescribed in cases where gasoline poisoning is accompanied by apathy, a depressed state, and indigestion.

Nux vomica - helps with convulsive cramps in the abdomen, nausea, irritability, impaired thermoregulation.

Homeopathy treatment is not accompanied by the development of adverse events, so it can be used even by pregnant women and children. The dosage of these drugs is set individually.

Prevention

Gasoline poisoning is a serious intoxication, so it is necessary to take all possible measures to prevent the problem. It is very important to observe the banal safety technique.

• Storage of gasoline and any other petroleum products should be carried out in places that are completely inaccessible for children and mentally ill people. Enterprises whose activities are related to the use of gasoline must be equipped with a high-quality ventilation system.
• When working with gasoline products, personal protective equipment must be used: a respirator or gas mask, petrol-resistant gloves, a mask, goggles.
• People whose professional activities are related to the use of gasoline should systematically visit doctors for physical examination and preventive tests. This will eliminate chronic gasoline poisoning.
• If an employee of the company has already had episodes of gasoline poisoning, then it is forbidden to work further in hazardous production. It should be transferred to other work not related to the use of petroleum products.

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Forecast

Oil products today are used in various fields of our daily life. But these substances can lead to poisoning if you ignore the rules for dealing with them.

If, however, poisoning with gasoline did occur, then in no case can one rely on the fact that the state normalizes independently: an appeal to a medical specialist should be mandatory and immediate. Only timely, qualified assistance can improve the forecast of a toxic state. Otherwise, gasoline poisoning is fraught with serious and threatening consequences.

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