In times of crisis, rumors are the most detestable. Before rumors strike, arm yourself with science. Toxic gases cannot be seen or touched, but if there is a toxic gas leak, the human body will exhibit symptoms that cannot be deceived. Let's take a look at the symptoms of poisoning from several toxic gases, while staying updated with the news and monitoring our own physical changes to promptly address any issues.
Sodium Cyanide (NaCN) Poisoning
White crystals or powder, the main chemical raw material in accident warehouses, can enter the human body through various routes such as contact with the skin and mucous membranes, inhalation, or ingestion.
Early symptoms: dizziness, headache, rapid breathing, chest tightness, eye irritation.
Later symptoms: cyanosis (skin and mucous membranes turning bluish-purple due to lack of oxygen in the blood), coma, chest pain, vomiting.
Special signal: After poisoning, a smell of almonds may be detected between breaths, but whether it can be smelled depends on the individual's genes.
Decontamination method: Cyanide poisoning is not incurable. There have been many successful rescue cases both domestically and internationally. Standard rescue plans include:
1. Immediately inhale isoamyl nitrite gas (pour onto fabric and cover mouth and nose to inhale).
2. Intravenous injection of sodium nitrite or methylene blue (also known as methylene azure), 4-dimethylaminophenol, cobalt hydroxylamine, sodium thiosulfate, and other antidotes.
What to do for people in the vicinity: Since sodium cyanide can produce new toxic gases when it comes into contact with water, nearby residents should not drink groundwater and should avoid getting close to the accident area. Within 1 kilometer of the incident site, there is danger.
Acute Benzene Poisoning
Benzene poisoning is very common in cases of chemical raw material leaks. The possibility of benzene contamination has not been completely ruled out in this accident. The course of the disease depends on the concentration. Prompt rescue should be carried out before cardiac arrest occurs, and recovery can be achieved within minutes.
Early symptoms: headache, dizziness, tinnitus, drowsiness, cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, palpitations, vomiting.
Later symptoms: convulsions, coma, respiratory center paralysis, cerebral edema, hallucinations, confusion.
Decontamination method:
1. Quickly remove the patient from the scene of poisoning and move to a place with fresh air, remove contaminated clothing, and wash the skin with warm soapy water while keeping warm.
2. As long as there is a heartbeat, the patient can usually be saved. In the case of cardiac arrest and respiratory arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be performed first.
3. Sedatives can be used for seizures or muscle spasms, and intramuscular injection of promethazine can be used for restlessness. Intramuscular injection of phenobarbital can be used for seizures or rectal administration of 10% chloral hydrate in warm water.
4. Protect the airway to prevent aspiration of vomit. For patients with prolonged coma, monitor blood oxygen pressure, serum electrolytes, and peripheral blood to prevent complications.
5. For comatose patients, actively prevent and treat cerebral edema. Intravenous injection of 50% glucose or 20% mannitol can be used 2-3 times daily. For shock patients, after replenishing blood volume, appropriate use of vasopressor drugs can be used to maintain blood pressure.
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Poisoning
A toxic gas widely found in sugar production, pharmaceuticals, and the fiber industry. It is also present in urban sewers.
Early symptoms: tearing, burning sensation in the eyes, photophobia, conjunctival congestion; severe cough, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache.
Later symptoms: difficulty breathing, palpitations, cyanosis of the face, extreme excitement, restlessness, convulsions, confusion, unconsciousness, generalized cyanosis.
Special signal: Although it is colorless, it has the smell of rotten eggs, is volatile, and can produce a blue flame when burned.
Decontamination method:
1. Move to a place with fresh air and good ventilation, remove clothing, belts, etc., and keep warm.
2. Inhale oxygen and perform artificial respiration on those with respiratory arrest. Apply respiratory stimulants and, if necessary, perform external chest compressions.
3. Administer 10% sodium thiosulfate intravenously, 20-40 ml, and inject vitamin C into hypertonic glucose intravenously.
4. For eye injuries, rinse with clean water or a 2% sodium bicarbonate solution as soon as possible. Then rinse with a 4% boric acid solution and instill sterile olive oil. Use cortisone acetate eye drops to prevent conjunctivitis.
Natural Gas Poisoning
The main components are methane, ethane, propane, and butane, which are low molecular weight alkanes. Natural gas commonly contains over 85% methane. Poisoning often occurs due to gas leaks and explosions during fires and accidents.
Early symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue.
Later symptoms: suffocation, coma, difficulty breathing, limb rigidity. If natural gas also contains hydrogen sulfide, the toxicity increases.
Decontamination method:
1. Quickly remove the patient from the scene of poisoning and provide oxygen or fresh air.
2. For patients with consciousness disorders, the main focus is to improve hypoxia, relieve cerebral vascular spasm, and eliminate cerebral edema. Oxygen can be inhaled, and intravenous drips of dexamethasone, mannitol, furosemide, etc., can be used. Intravenous drips of brain cell metabolic agents such as cytochrome C, ATP, vitamin B6, and coenzyme A can also be used.
Chlorine (Cl₂) Poisoning
A strongly irritating gas with a yellow-green color. In addition to its wide industrial uses, chlorine gas is used in disinfectants and disinfectant powders in daily life. Improper use of disinfectants can also cause chlorine poisoning.
Early symptoms: severe cough, sputum, sore throat, spicy sensation, rapid breathing, bluish complexion.
Later symptoms: difficulty breathing, cyanosis, heart failure. Patients can quickly die due to respiratory center paralysis, usually within minutes to an hour, known as "flash death."
Special signal: It has an irritating odor. Mixing toilet cleaner and 84 disinfectant can produce chlorine gas.
Decontamination method:
1. Quickly move to a well-ventilated place, remove the clothing worn during poisoning, change into clean clothes, and keep warm.
2. To relieve the patient's difficulty breathing, they can be given 2%-3% warm and moist soda solution or 1% sodium sulfate solution to reduce the irritating effect of chlorine gas on the upper respiratory tract.
When carrying out rescue, it should be noted that when a chlorine-poisoned patient has difficulty breathing, manual chest compressions and other artificial breathing methods should not be used. This is because chlorine has a strong irritating effect on the upper respiratory tract, causing bronchopneumonia or even pulmonary edema. This type of pressure-based artificial respiration method will exacerbate inflammation and pulmonary edema, causing harm rather than benefit.
