Oil vapor poisoning

The industry produces many derivatives of petroleum products used in everyday life (kerosene, gasoline, solar oil, benzene, tosol and others). Failure to observe safety precautions when working with these substances may cause poisoning by their vapors.

Causes of the petroleum vapor poisoning

Occupational intoxication occurs in extraction and refining industries in people who come into contact with crude oil or its distillation products. Body damage develops because organic compounds have a strong toxic effect on the body, affecting all the vital systems of a living organism. Toxins are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, regardless of the route of entry into the body.

• Inhalation of combustible material vapors causes general intoxication, affecting the central nervous system.
• Vapors of petroleum products negatively affect the state of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which leads to destructive processes and threatens the development of toxic bronchitis.
• Local exposure of the skin causes various dermatitis, which is similar in its symptomatology to eczema.
• Destruction of the cellular elements of the dermis leads to damage to the fine blood network of the skin, through which toxic substances are absorbed into the blood.
• Ingestion of oil distillation products causes symptoms of acute intoxication. The mucous membrane of the digestive tract is burned, which leads to severe consequences.

Symptoms of the petroleum vapor poisoning

Let's look at the most common types of intoxication with petroleum product vapors:

Kerosene

The hydrocarbon is a flammable volatile liquid with a specific odor. Kerosene exposure is acute and chronic. The substance enters the body by inhaling its vapors for a long period of time in a closed space.

If vapors are inhaled, the clinical manifestations of mild poisoning will be as follows:

• A feeling of intoxication with impaired coordination of movements and increased excitability.
• Tinnitus.
• Irritation of the ocular mucosa and development of conjunctivitis.
• Headaches, dizziness, migraine.
• Dry, irritating cough.
• Painful sensations in the heart area with tachycardia.
• Disturbance of the sense of smell and hearing.
• General weakness and drowsiness.
• Shortness of breath.

Inhalation of vapors of high concentration causes pathological symptoms on the part of CNS, development of hallucinations, loss of consciousness, convulsive syndrome.

First aid in case of oil product vapor poisoning consists in taking the victim out to fresh air. It is necessary to remove clothes that constrict the body, if possible drink corvalol or valerian tincture and call an ambulance. Ambulance doctors administer intravenous/intramuscular medications to the victim and hospitalize him/her until his/her condition improves.

If kerosene got on the skin, it is manifested by redness and itching of the affected area. With prolonged contact with the dermis, it is possible to develop long-term non-healing dermatitis, eczema, furunculosis. There is also a risk of absorption of the toxin into the body and the development of chronic intoxication. In order to protect yourself from such complications you should wash the skin with running water and soap.

If kerosene ingestion has occurred, symptoms of acute poisoning develop. The painful condition is manifested by nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing and hoarseness of voice. The victim develops a barking cough, loss of consciousness, convulsions, abdominal bloating. Treatment follows the scheme of food poisoning.

Naphthalene

This substance is an aromatic hydrocarbon that has a wide range of uses. Inhalation of naphthalene vapors causes headache, coughing, lacrimation, mental disorders, decreased visual acuity. If naphthalene has entered the stomach, it should be immediately lavaged, but only through a probe.

Regardless of the type of intoxication, the victim needs emergency medical care. Specific and symptomatic therapy to prevent kidney damage is mandatory.

Gasoline

Symptomatology of gasoline vapor damage is similar to kerosene intoxication. First of all, the CNS is targeted. When inhaling vapors of high concentration, there is a risk of collapse with a sharp drop in blood pressure and heart failure. The patient needs emergency care, as lethal outcome is possible.

Solar vapors

Solar oil vapors have psychotropic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic and pneumotoxic effects on the organism. The organism is affected by inhalation, i.e. By inhalation of vapors of the substance, by ingestion and through the skin. Severe intoxication occurs after ingestion of 50 ml of gasoline.

Some of the main symptoms of exposure to solar oil on the body include:

• Coughing and shortness of breath.
• Decrease in body temperature.
• A disturbance of consciousness.
• Hallucinations.
• Tremor of the limbs.
• Seizures.
• Headache and dizziness.
• Diarrhea.
• Euphoria and hyperexcitability.
• Vomiting.
• The odor of kerosene/fuel oil in the exhaled air.

In mild cases of inhalation of vapors of toxic substances, it is sufficient to breathe fresh air. If the substance was ingested, it is necessary to drink activated charcoal, (inducing vomiting is contraindicated).

Further treatment of the victim is carried out by medical personnel. In particularly severe cases, oxygen therapy and other therapeutic measures are carried out to restore normal functioning of the body.

Petroleum-based oil vapors

Petroleum-based oil vapors are hazardous to the human body, just like gasoline, kerosene and other hydrocarbons. Oil mists are especially dangerous, they contain suspended particles from 1 to 100 microns in size, which have a pathological effect on the organism. The risk of lethal damage to the organism increases significantly if the oils contain sulfur compounds.

Lubricating oils are widely used in industry. They are high-molecular viscous liquids, the main components of which are aromatic, naphthenic and other hydrocarbons with an admixture of sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen compounds.

Symptoms of exposure to oil vapors on the body are acute and chronic. The main signs of exposure include:

• Painful sensations in the chest.
• Cough with expectoration of sputum.
• Bouts of nausea and vomiting.
• Headaches and dizziness.
• Hallucinations.
• Seizures.
• Loss of consciousness.

Long-term effects of substances on the body are manifested by chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis. Possible development of pneumosclerosis, peripheral circulation disorders, vegetative polyneuritis and others. Some oils in contact with the skin provoke keratoderma, various wart growths and even skin cancer.

Treatment begins with evacuation of the victim from the place of contamination and calling an ambulance. Until the arrival of medics it is necessary to monitor breathing and cardiac activity of the patient. The main treatment is carried out in the hospital. The task of doctors is to restore the normal functioning of all organs and systems, preventing possible consequences and complications.

Treatment of the petroleum vapor poisoning

Oil vapor poisoning can be a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Here are some steps you can take as first aid:

1. Move the victim to fresh air: If poisoning occurs indoors, move the victim to fresh air to reduce further inhalation of poisonous vapors.
2. Call anambulance: Get medical help right away or call emergency services for professional medical help.
3. Provide an airway: If the casualty is not breathing, start CPR. If he/she has difficulty breathing, help him/her sit up in a comfortable position and provide access to fresh air.
4. Remove clothing and objects soaked with petroleum products: The victim should be freed from clothing and objects soaked with petroleum products to prevent further skin exposure to poisonous substances.
5. Do notdrink: Do not give the victim fluids to drink, as this may make the poisoning worse.
6. Do not perform gastric lavage: Do not attempt to perform gastric lavage yourself as this may cause further damage.
7. Providesupport until the ambulance arrives: While the ambulance is expected to arrive, continue to provide support and monitor the casualty's condition.

Oil vapor poisoning can be serious and requires specialized medical intervention in a hospital setting. This is what treatment may look like:

1. Medical Evaluation and Stabilization: The victim will be medically evaluated to determine the severity of the poisoning and to stabilize their condition. This includes evaluation of respiratory function, cardiovascular status, and other organs.
2. Artificial ventilation: If the victim has difficulty breathing or suffers respiratory arrest, artificial ventilation may be required.
3. Detoxification: If a certain amount of petroleum products have been ingested, detoxification may be necessary. This may include gastric lavage, the use of adsorbents and other methods aimed at removing toxins from the body.
4. Treatment of burns and other injuries: Oil vapors can cause burns to the skin and mucous membranes. Treatment includes treating burns, preventing infection and providing optimal conditions for healing.
5. Medical supervision and rehabilitation: The victim will be under constant medical supervision to monitor his/her condition and provide rehabilitation measures if necessary.
6. Treatment of complications: Oil vapor poisoning can lead to various complications such as burns, chemical pneumonia, and others. Treatment is aimed at preventing and treating these complications.
7. Maintenance of vital functions: If necessary, measures will be taken to maintain vital body functions such as maintaining blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other indicators.