Effect of Petrochemical thinner paint on

respirationMASOMA MARIYAM

M.PHIL E-04

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB LAHORE

Petrochemical Compounds

Petrochemicals are chemical products derived from petroleum. Some chemical compounds made from petroleum are also obtained from other fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas.

Turpentine is a volatile organic compound (VOC), it readily forms inhalable vapors at room temperature. These vapors are what make turpentine hazardous.

The vapors may affect the brain or nervous system, and trigger headache, dizziness, confusion and nausea, gastrointestinal burning and pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Repeated or long-term exposure may damage the kidneys, bladder and nervous system as well as trigger dermatitis and eczema. research indicates a possible association between long-term exposure and respiratory cancers.

As little as 15 mL can be fatal to children, and exposure to turpentine can impact fetal development.

Hazards while using thinner paints

Potential Physical Effects: Highly flammable liquid and vapor

Potential Health Effects:

Oral: May be harmful if swallowed

Dermal: Causes skin irritation

Eye: Causes eye irritation

Inhalation: May be harmful if inhaled. Burns and irritation to respiratory tract Causes damage to the nervous system

Chronic: May damage fertility or the unborn child

Potential Environmental Effects: Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Toxicity

Acute (high level, short-term exposure) neurotoxic effects of organic solvent exposure in workers include drowsiness, headache, dizziness, nausea, narcosis, anesthesia, central nervous system depression, respiratory arrest, unconsciousness and death.

Chronic (low level, long-term exposure) effects include fatigue, irritability, memory impairment, emotional instability, diminished impulse control, diminished motivation, decreased concentration, decreased memory and decreased learning ability.

The mean oral lethal dose of turpentine for humans ranges from 15 to 150 mL (~13 – 129 g; 95 – 947 mmol).

Systemic toxicity to turpentine usually results in gastrointestinal (GI) irritation and central nervous system (CNS) depression within two to three hours of exposure; symptoms generally subside within 12 hours except in severe exposures.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has calculated that a concentration of 800 ppm (4457 mg/m3) is immediately dangerous to life and health.

A 26 year old male was admitted to the emergency having accidental ingestion of thinner. He had consumed about 200–250 ml of thinner, mistaking it for water in the darkness of the night. He was brought within half an hour of thinner ingestion with complaints of vomiting, headache, weakness and dizziness.

On examination, the patient was conscious, with a

Dusky discoloration of tongue and nails.

Blood was found to be chocolate brown in color.

mild hypoxemia and metabolic acidosis

Chest X-ray was normal

He was mechanically ventilated with 100% oxygen.

A 20 year-old male was brought to the hospital after he was found unconscious outside his room. The patient was a chronic alcoholic who had consumed thinner as no alcohol was available to him that day. On examination, he was unconscious, not responding to deep painful stimuli.

Blood withdrawn for investigations was chocolate brown in color.

The patient had a cardiac arrest within 3 h of arrival in the hospital and could not be revived.

1st aid measures if come in contact with thinner paint

AFTER INHALATION Remove victim from the exposure.

Give artificial respiration if not breathing.

Supply fresh air.

Prevent aspiration of vomit, turn victim’s head to side.

Seek medical advice.

AFTER SKIN CONTACT: Remove all contaminated

clothing and wash before use.

Flush affected area with water for at least 15 minutes.

Wash contaminated skin with water, soap and rinse thoroughly.

AFTER EYE CONTACT: Immediately rinse opened eye

for at least 15 minutes under running water.

Immediately remove contact lenses if present.

Continue rinsing. Seek immediate medical advice.

AFTER SWALLOWING: If the victim is conscious,

administer 3-4 glasses of milk or water.

Do not induce vomiting.

Seek immediate medical advice.

Safer Alternative..

Citrus Natural Solvent, a paint thinner alternative, is used as a direct replacement for mineral spirits and odorless mineral spirits. Citrus Solvent can be used wherever paint thinner or mineral spirits are required as a natural, safer alternative.

a biodegradable, naturally-occurring solvent, as the main component is simply citrus peel oil.

Citrus Solvent is 98% pure citrus peel oil extracted from the peel of the orange fruit, the other 2% is water.

our Citrus Solvent does not cause damage to the internal organs of the body when breathed in, instead, it passes through without effect.