Document 0g2Nb73640gveQX9kqvyomEvR

FILE NAME: National Safety Council (NSC) DATE: 1929 Sept DOC#: NSC433 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: NSC Health Practices Pamphlet - Gases and Vapors ( ' ' T Gases and Vapors Health Practices Pamphlet N o . 9 Published by National Safety Council 108 East Ohio Street, Chicago This pamphlet is a compilation o f experience. It must not be confused with Federal, State or insurance requirements, or with National S a fety Codes. 'Hie average workman is generally air breathed is an im portant factor oblivious to the gaseous substances in the amount o f gas or vapor ab The Structure of the Lungs which h e takes into his body with the air he breathes. E ven many educated and thoughtful people are usually un inform ed on such m atters. Y et the im portance o f the gas hazards o f mod em industry has been greatly em phasized w ithin recent years. sorbed. Much emphasis has been placed upon the rate of breathing, but this is a misconception, as the volume o f air breathed is the im portant/consid eration. The latter constitutes the only effective measurement of/respira- -It is not possible to give a complete description o f the lungs in this pamph le t.' Only the essentials can be pre sented and reference should be made to textbooks on anatomy if further in formation is desired. The lungs are composed ot a great This pamphlet w ill deal with ( 1) the physiology o f . breathing ; (2 ) re lation o f the cir culation to breath tion. . number o f very small sacs or air cells, '____________ termed alveoli. These cells are the terminal ele ments of small air ing; (3 ) the mechanism o f the absorption o f vol ` O ' , ('" tubes which are called bronchioles. The bronchioles atile substances; \ (4 ) a classifica tion o f noxious - , ~ ... / t . T -T S. , A,..; . ' .. . S. \\ : '* ! . > ; t .J . ; . ' are brandies of larger tubes, the ^bronchi, which-in gases and vapors ; S^hrrn unite to and (5 ) preven tion and treatm ent o f poisoning. s h . r . & - / V .I ??/! ^ .y n still larger ibes, which unite ipjind open into the trachea, or wind- P h y sio lo g y o f ' ?? * Breathing T he volum e o f - fVrl A The primary ^ p u rp o se of res- ^ p ira tio n is the ex air breathed varies change o f oxygen, greatly according ' which is needed to every change to sustain life, and o f bodily activity, carbon dioxide, sudi as sitting, which is formed lying dow n, walk during the body ing, working or p rocesses. The running. U nder sm a ll terminal each o f these con . cells are provided ditions, the per with very thin son breathes . a walls o f elastic precise amount, substance almost which is deter com pletdy filled mined by the need . with a network for oxygen. The greater the activ ity , the more air o f very small , 5 apilhuy) blood .'vessels, and. sed ed .. T h e . o f air je is term - resp ira tio n . ' C o alttsy tT . S . B o rn i o( M ines. The. "amount o f Oat mask crete testimg mimi air fo r oxygon ami for^earbo* monoxide. . Copyright, 1929, National Safety Conned between tfe.b fofif . -te -f- ' ' HEALTH PRACTICES PAMPHLET NO. 9 2-V * *"^ ^ fc a r b o n bioxide and Respira tory Regulation pharynx UPP? , BM J v - trachea.- lower lung-- respiratoiy cutaway tr a c t to how brondiiolesi d ia p h r a g m 50ft palate tongue -heart The nerve centers of the brain which control the respiratory muscles, are extremely sensitive to slight vari ations in the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood which circulates through them. The result of this sensitive arrange ment is to cause proportional in crease or decrease in the volume o f breathing as a response to a very small increase o f decrease of carbon dioxide production in the body. This adjustment is maintained ieven under wide variations in the -bodily activity, expenditure o f energy, ex change o f gases with the atmosphere, and volume o f breathing. The relationship relative to the dis tinction between oxygen ^and carbon dioxide as respiratory stimulants can be made clearer by consideration of three simple experiments : Courte*jr o( H cndcnon and Haggard. Diagram of th huma* breathing apparat**. in th ese v e sse ls and the air in the alveolar sacs. Mechanism of Breathing D uring breathing the air is drawn into and discharged from the lungs by a series o f rhythm ic contractions and relaxations o f th e respiratory muscles o f the chest w alls and floor. During this process oxygen is absorbed by little part in the regulatkj ing. Aaachmrt far unen le fe* meek. ^ breath- 1. A normal man at rest is given a high concentration of oxygen to breathe instead of air. If we check up.on the rate and volnme of his breathing and on the amount of oxygen consumed, we find'practi cally no effect The man feels no difference between the high concen tration of oxygen and ordinary air which normally. contains- only 21 per cent of oxygen. I t is in d e n t that the oxidation in the tissues and the oxygen consumption of the body have been controlled automatically . by conditions which'are quite dif ferent from those determining the intensity with which a- fire burns. the blood, through the walls pf th t* alveoli and carbon dioxide is likew i^ft removed from th e blood. T he nerves and centers o f respira-^T tion are o f the sam e type as those o ff* all other voluntary m uscles o f th t^ body. T he involuntary elem ent, in* j breathing, how ever, is r d a tiv e ly ^ greater than fo r other muscular ac-^ I tion. T he rhythm and alternating ac-H^ tion o f respiration are both alm ost^ Wholly involuntary. >3 . O xygen {5 jn reality the fdnda-* mental controlling factor in the ad-P justm ent o f breathing. A ll healthy 3 Persons are adjusted to their external^ environment and breathe volumes ofK air which h ave a distinct relation toe* ; the activity o f th e body and other*- factors. F o r instance,: a sudden and^ v.' ' -. acute fa ll in th e oxygen content o f the i* - jV am w ill -caase a considerable increase * '' the rate and depth o f breathing. < " -In the rjptinatyjrariations o f respir atio n ..^ o u g W tr t^ th e day,* however, .. ^ rf ltifu d s, takes With the same apparatus andlneth- od, -when air with a small percen tage of carbon dioxide is used, the volume of breathing increases al most immediately. This is noted particularly in the depth of breath ing, there being no increase of the rate. If the expired air is now an alysed. it is found that the body is getting rid of practically the same amount of carbon dioxide, as .be fore, or slightly .more.pnacqtmt of the muscular exertion' inraygd-jn the greater volume. ofijrettingfc ^. - ; In the third experiment ffreimbJe^t'^S * voluntarily forces hmueff totbr^the.4; more deeply, but at abotrt :theisame,v rate, for a period of. half ar^nute," using ordinary air. v The lu"" thus over-ventilated. Butthe nature of the comb oxygen .in the blood, no ably greater amount of., absorbed.. The carbonJi* T tent of the blood, decreased.- Whih-the.] y -^eeSsef^ius _ _ "T mg very deeply, nog T; *there is a .lack ' ' " \ and. in some. - Coarteor-.S. nuuvm..*uc.,: ... jt:. plrteijCessaticjq <mrd!ng.to:ffii> - of carbon :dibxm GASES AND VAPORS Haldane and Priestly have shown that the carbon dioxide content of the alveolar air exhibits an extraordinary constancy under widely varying condi tions of exertion and over periods of years. The fundamental conceptions then of the modern theories of the imme diate control of respiration are: 1. The regulation of the breathing to the volume necessary to maintain a practically uniform partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the alveolar spaces of the lungs. 2. The action of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood upon the respiratory center of the brain, which will affect - this regulation. oxygen for carbon dioxide in the tis sues and vice versa in the lungs. The blood may transport maximum quanti ties of both gases at one time. Although the mechanisms of the transportation in each case are dis tinct, they nevertheless exert a con siderable reciprocal influence upon each other. Carbon dioxide does not itself combine directly with hemoglo bin. It is transported and held in the blood in the form of sodium bicar bonate, and to a less extent, other al kaline bicarbonates, usually in solu tion in the fluid of the blood. The blood is, therefore, enabled to transport large volumes -of oxygen V -U '.-'.'ib h "/.:* :Vr` I' * !' ' W / . ' VVv" / R espiratory F u n ction s o f the Blood iK TA / A special function o f the red color ing matter of the blood (hem oglobin) is to combine with oxygen and carry it in the blood stream from the lungs to the tissues, giving it off where it is needed. T he blood also takes back the carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs, through which it is excreted. It has b eat recognized that hemo globin also plays a part however, in the transportation o f carbon It is a common m istake hemoglobin as exclusively Courtesy U. S. Bureau at limes. Man wearing B arrett sw ttsM indi cator U;;v >* i . Courtesy U. S. Bureau oi Mine*. Miner wearing type I f go* mask and obeeroing fa m e safety tamp Absorption of Volatile Substances Courte/ V. S. Bureau o t M ises. Barrett gat indicator and carbon dioxide regardless of slight alterations o f their partial pres sures, and also with a correspondingly slight alteration o f the balance o f add and alkaline elements, yfithin the blood stream. Hemoglobin then may be said to perform three functions: 1. Combines with oxygen and gives it up equally as readily. 2. Provides an alkali exchange with the plasma (blood fluid) allowing the formation of alkaline bicarbon- ' te for the purpose of transporting; .. . carbon dioxide. (The major por tion of carbon dioxide however is carried by the plasma.) 3. Takes up and gives off alkali very readily. The acid-alkali balance of the blood is thereby maintained within a narrow limit of variation. Excqpt for irritants and simple as phyxiants, noxious gases and vapors exert their action only after absorp tion into the blood. The character and intensity o f the action are deter mined largely by the concentration in the blood and the duration of stay, not merely by the poisonous action o f the substance. T he physiological action o f volatile substances is largely dependent upon the peculiarities o f their absorption, . elimination, distribution, and destruc tion. For example, one o f the alcohols is more toxic than an equal amount o f another, but the difference in the rate at which the concentrations in the blood decrease may render the latter a more dangerous poison than the form er. 'Hierc are two classes o f gases which exert their action after absorp tion into the blood; namely, reactive and non-reactive. Reactive substances are changed w ithin the body and elim inated in form s other than those in which they . w ere absorbed. The poisonous action may, therefore, be exerted either by tiie substance in its <mginhl fenm orgf by the products o f its decomposition. ~ E thyl alcohol is an example o f reao-^-. tive vapor which exerts its detion Jbc^S-:. fore destruction has t i HEALTH PRACTICES PAMPHLET NO. 9 4 v * V -: VV*va-i?-' ' g~% ' '\ JIf ! .7/. --'.1 Vf ?i |5-. i: !: :' -' ! Courte*y U. S. Barcra sf U b a. UcCaa 2-hottr braatkiag'apparat**. Front vim . ' line and m ethyl alcohol are examples o f vapors w hich exert their main ac tions through the products arising from their decomposition within the body. Non-reactive substances are not -changed to any appreciable extent w ithin the body and are, therefore, elim inated in the sam e form in which they have been absorbed. T he simple or uncombined aliphatic hydrocarbons (th e so-called "open-chain" senes, such as methane, ethylene arid acety len e) are exam ples o f non-reactive gases and vapors. Principles o f Absorption T he absorption o f non-reactive gases and vapors depends upon the follow ing factors: ' 1. Solubility. The total amount of any non-reactive gas or vapor that the body will take up is dependent upon solubility and consequently its con centration within the body. 1 The rate of absorption is directly proportional to the concentration of gas or vapors in the air breathed.S. S. The rate of lung ventilation is another factor influencing the rate of absorption. Respiration is very important in determining both the rates of .absorption and elimination in the case of readfly-soluble gases and vapors,'.bnt it is comparatively unimportant in respect to relatively insoluble gases. 4. The rate of circulation of the blood has considerable effect upon the rate of absorption and elimination of gases of relatively low . solubility. If the rate of circulation is doubled, so that twice as much blood is flow ing through the lungs each minute, even with the respiration unchanged, the rate of absorption and elimina tion would be nearly doubled. Non-reactive gases and vapors are eliminated mostly through the lungs. The urine and other excretions carry away only relatively small amounts. The concentration o f a gas dissolved in the urine corresponds to that in the blood passing through the kidneys at the moment the urine is secreted. The elimination through the lungs follow s definite principles similar to those o f absorption. In general, the process concerned in the absorption o f reactive gases is the same as for non-reactive gases. There is, however, tins difference : the reaction and consequent destruc tion o f the gas prevents, the attain ment o f equilibrium, which usually occurs in breathing non-reactive gases. The ' lim ination o f reactive sub stances is also influenced by their al teration within the body, the amount o f substance eliminated bring less than the amount absorbed. Classification ;Hedersn and Haggard ill their recent book on "N oxious1G a s " have classified gases and vapors as/foUows : Courtesy U . & B tese o M ises. JfcCaa t-komr braatUng apparat**. Back view. 1. Asphyxiants. These do no direct injury to the respiratory tract, but produce their injurious effects by causing a condition of oxygen de ficiency in the body tissues. 3 2. Irritants. These injure certain tistues of the respiratory tract, thereby ' ..inducing inflammation of the re spiratory passages, and at tunes, the lungs themselves. - ;; S. Volatile Drugs ancTDruglike Sub. stances. T in s 'is -.th e anesthetic group and these substances have a druglike action after'they have been absorbed through the lungs. 4. Inorganic and OrganometalUc Sub stances. This group has a wide di versity of action. Some are essen- . tially tissue poisons. The action of these compounds is observed only after, absorption into the blood stream. W ith these general headings in mind, it is now convenient to consider the sub-groups, naming the actual sub stances involved. Coartesy O. S. Barcauot Mines. Adjusting typo If go* mask . V Group 1-- A sphyxiants SUB-GROUP (a) Simple Asphyxiate: Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Helium, Me thane, Ethane, Propane, Nitrous . Oxide, Ethylene, .Acetylene. " SUB-GROUP (b) Chemical Asphy; ants? Carbon Monoxide. Cyanogen Compounds, the most im- portant of' which, are: Cyanogen, Hydrocyanic add, Acetonitrile, V . CASES J.V' V A P O R S ' : .. v.: Propionitrile, Methyl isonitrilc, Ethyl isonitrile, Benzonitrile, Cyan ogen chloride. Group 2-- Irritants SUB-GROUP (a) Including gases which act primarily upon the tipper respiratory tract: Ammonia Gas, Hydrochloric Acid Gas, Sulphuric Acid Gas, Hydro fluoric Acid Gas, Formaldehyde. SUB-GROUP (b) Including those gases which act upon the uppfr respiratory tract and also. spread their action to the deeper struc- tures: Sulphur Dioxide, Chlorine, Bromine, .. Iodine, Acrolein, Hydrogen Sul phide. (Dimethyl sulphate). SUB-GROUP (c) Including those gases which act primarily upon the lungs and only to a much less ex tent upon the upper respiratory tract: Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Phosgene, Phosphorous trichloride and pentachloride. Arsenic trichloride. SUB-GROUP (d) Those gases which are not altered or destroyed by con tact with the tissues of the respira tory tract. These are essentially the Hydrocarbons and consist mainly-of the Fatty Hydrocarbons, their alcohols, ethers and halogen substitution products. These will be mentioned in detail in the next main group. Group 3 Volatile Drugs and Druglike Substances. Anesthetics. SUB-GROUP () Anesthetic Gases without usual serious after-effects. -- (However, poisoning may occur.) The A lttervice ga t m ath,. thawing tim er on the top o f the canltter and a carbon monoxide detector. . 1. Hydrocarbons---Paraffin Series: Gasoline, Naptha, Benzine. 2. Hydrocarbons--Olefine Series: Ethylene, Propylene, Butylene, Amylene, Hexylene, Heptylene. 3. Hydrocarbons--Acetylene Series: Acetylene, Allylene, Crotorfylene. 4. Ethers: Methyl ether, Propyl ether. Ethyl ether, 5. Aldehydes: Formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde, Propaldehyde, Butaldehyde, Ac raldhyde. 6. Ketones: Dimethyl ketone (acetone), ' C ntU tT U. S . B o rtta o f Mise*. Bote-math with fitto l fact ptecei- A helmet can be need in ttta i of ' face piece, bat the latter it now preferred by most pertont. C oorteqr Youn*towa Sheet & Tube Co. The Draeger tteo-honr t t l f contained oxygen breathing apparatnt. 7. Ethereal Salts of Organic Acids: Methyl formate, Methyl acetate, Methyl butanate,'Ethyl formate, Ethyl acetate, Ethyl butanate,. - Propyl acetate, Butyl acetate, Amyl acetate. SUB-GROUP (6) Halogen Derivatives . of the' Hydrocarbons. Anesthetics injuring chiefly the visceral organs Halogen Compounds of Methyl: ' Methyl chloride. Methyl bro mide; ' Methyl- iodide, Methy lene -dichloride, Tricblorome-.. * thane,.Ttrchloromethajne. 2. Halogen Compounds of Ethyl and Higher Hydrocarbons:' Ethyl chloride. Ethyl bromide, Ethyl' iodide, Dichloroethylene, Ethylene dichloride, Trichloroethylene; Trichloroethane, Perchloroethylene, Tetrachloroethane, Pentachlorocthane. SUB-GROUP (c) Hydrocarbons, Aro matic Series, injuring chiefly the blood-forming system. ' 1. Light Oil or Crude Naphtha, the principal constituents being ben zene, xylene, toluene, pyridine and thiophene. 3. Middle Oil, consisting mainly of naphthalene and phenol. 3. Heavy Oil, consisting of phenol, cresol and anthracene. 4. Anthracene Oil, consisting of an thracene. phenanthrene and vari ous solid hydrocarbons, that is in the cooled state. 5. ! Pitch, which remains in the still. VtLight, middle, heavy and anthre- . + cene oils and pitch are not sum- r ciently volatile under ordinary ,T conditions to cause poisoning from the inhalation of vapors.) ^ rB-GROUF (d) Hydrocarbon injr: ing chiefly the nervous >yst>w._ '* L Alcohols: < _ '. i f - ' Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, Batyl, AmyL . .? . !. Carbon Disulphide..-, - I. Thiophene.. H EEAALL'Tj H PRACTICES PAMPHLET NO. 9 L S iP U*Ac6~ Effects of Exposure 1+ . . In the prevention of poisoning by gases. The same apparatus can be used as that applied in chlorinating city water supplies. ' - - r ' \ / :. ' y- y .. gases and vapors, it is essential that the physiological effects induced by various concentrations and by various The above methods may be carried out only after collecting die contami nated air and leading it out through a -V V A durations of exposure be known. large duct. , . 1,1 l Tabulations showing these re t * : i; .7! . I . . ;0 * V*<s; 7,: 7 " ' ^ : . 7 v^ 7 ; 4 7 - sponses, as worked out by various in vestigators, and used by Henderson and Haggard, have been listed in the appendix. The order is the same as that used in the classification. Protective Apparatus Three types of apparatus are avail able for protection against the inhala tion of noxious gases; (1) gas masks, (2) hose masks, and (3) self- Prevention of Poisoning contained breathing apparatus. These three forms differ from each other in ~ * i J. -. "\' 7 ^ v : ; ./. " - v -7 O - ; \ v.. --r-Jir - In addition to knowing the physio logical effects induced by various con centrations and different durations of exposure, it is also necessary that: 1. This knowledge be applied in such a way that toxic concentrations of , gases are prevented in the air breathed by workmen; and principle, each having its advantages and disadvantages in relation to die other types. Each has its own special use (see Safe Pracdces Pamphlet No. 64.). Other Measures Usually it is necessary to formu CoarUy U. S. Baretaof Mine*. Th* Oibbt ixpo-iovr ri/ contained oxygen breathing apparatn*. 2. If the occurrence of such concen trations cannot be avoided, those who are exposed should be equipped with protective apparatus. The prevention o f a poisonous, unhealthful condition o f the air resolves itself into the engineering problem of late a set of regulations which will apply to the particular kind of gas or vapor with which employees are work ing in any given plant (see Health Practices Pamphlet No. 7 on Carbon Monoxide). SUB-GROUP (e) Organic Nitrogen Compounds, acting upon the blood and circulation. f 1. Substances which have predomi nating action of a "nitrite effect.? In general, these are the alkyl nitrites and the alkyl nitro substi tution products and' are. repre sented by ethyl nitrite and amyl nitrite. 2. Substances whose predominating action is the conversion of oxy hemoglobin to methemoglobin. This class is represented by the amide compounds and the aro matic nitro substitution products, such as: Nitrobenzene Aniline Toluidine Methyl aniline Dimethylaniline controlling the degree of contamina tion. Following steps are necessary: -. 1. Standards of ventilation should first be determined experimentally. Z. These standards should then be de fined in practical terms. 3. Adequate machinery to effect such standards should then be developed. \ The research work in preparation for the construction of the vehicular tunnel under the Hudson River is an example of this kind of problem. In this work the first step was to deter mine the allowable concentration of carbon monoxide which would be breathed during the time of passage through the tunnel; the second step was the development of methods and means of ventilation to maintain this ^Treatment The methods of treatment for acute poisoning are: 1. Rescue. 2. Artificial respiration. 3. First Aid. 4. Inhalational treatment The first step is to remove the man from the contaminated atmosphere, taking him into fresh air; preferably. Group 4--Inorganic and O rganom etallic G ases SUB-GROUP (a) Protoplasmic Poi sons. Mercury and Phosphorus. SUB-GROUP (b) OrganometaHic Compounds. These are represented by: Diethyl arsine. Cacodyl, Cacodyl ox./. .'ide, Diethyl mercury, Tetraethyl lead, Nickel carbonyL 75 SUB-GROUP (cj Inorganic Hydric ' JigisCompounds: ' -.y, gjattydrogen. arsenide, Hydrogea phos- a ^ p H j^ e ;iPhosphene), -Hydrogen sul- ^ ^ phide. /' " " concentration. In industry, it is generally possible to prevent the escape of gases and vapors by one of two methods: 1. Passing the air through activated charcoal which readily condenses a large number of substances. Valu, able material. thus adsorbed may be recovered by displacement with steam, and the adsorptive power of the charcoal is thus regenerated. . *E;. Mixing of. a relative small amount o chlorine gas with the contami-. nated air. Small amounts of chlorine in the presence of water vapor de stroy a large number of noxious The Pant too-hour? oxygen" breathing' into warm uncontaminated air. The rescuer should provide himself prop erly with suitable gas mask or hose mask, together with a belt and safety line, the line to be held by someone outside the contaminated area. As soon as rescue has taken place, if breathing has ceased, artificial res piration should be started at once by the Schafer Prone Pressure Method. (See National Safety Council leaflet on Artificial Respiration.) Chilling occurs quite commonly a fter any form of gassing. As it -greatly increases the liability to pneu monia, the victim should be wellwrapped in blankets, and massage of the legs and arm s^hould be given. In fla tio n of v% carbon dioxide and 9%% oxygen greatly hastens the elimination of volatile substances from the body. This method has come in to general use for the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning. (See Health Practices Pamphlet No. 7.) It has also been extensively used to hasten the elimination of anaesthetics after surgical operations. Inhalation treatment has' also been applied to poisoning by other volatile substances, for example alcoholic drunkenness, and has been found to GASES AND VAPORS be an effective aid during artificial res piration. The mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide is usually given for a period of twenty to thirty minutes, immedi ately after the victim has been re moved from the poisonous atmosphere. Inhalation may be given in conjunc tion with artificial respiration. Next to artificial respiration, the inhalation method is the most useful measure in resuscitation. Experience has shown that there are no ill effects, for the stimulation is of a mild char acter. Carbon dioxide and oxygen may be administered by any of the approved inhalators now purchasable upon the market. Summary An understanding of the funda mentals of the physiology of breath ing and the circulation is essential in dealing scientifically with the prob lems caused by the inhalation of poi sonous gases and vapors. The prevention of poisoning can be accomplished through the use of ade quate exhaust ventilation systems and proper protective apparatus. 1 7 Rescue, artificial respiration, first aid, and inhalational treatment have all been standardized for industrial use. Bibliographic Note The subject matter of this pamph let was largely derived from a mono graph, "Noxious Gases," by Hender son and Haggard, published by the Chemical Catalogue Co., Inc., New York City. ACKNOWLEDGMENT This pamphlet was written by Dr. C. 0 . Sappington, Director o f the Division o f Industrial Health, Nation al Safety Council. Grateful acknowl edgment for assistance is made to Dr. C.-E. A . Winslow, Dr. Robt. S. Quinby, Dr. Otto P. Geier, Dr. C. F. N . Schram, Dr. Loyal A . Shoudy, Dr. Wm. A . Sawyer, Dr. Lom e E. Hast ings, Dr. Volney S. Cheney, Dr. Emery R. Hayhurst, Dr. Henry F. Sm yth, Dr. Cecil K . Drinker, Dr. Thomas R. Crowder, Dr. L. R. Thompson, Dr. Wade Wright, Dr. R. G. Leland, M r. Howell Cheney, Mr. S . E. Whiting, Mr. J. M . Wolts, and members o f the National Safety Council Staff. . 9/25-3M HEALTH PRACTICES PAMPHLET NO. 9 APPENDIX (Note: The material given here it not exhauttive and complete, but represents the available scien tific data. I t hat been taken from the tablet uted by Henderton and Haggard in their .book "Noxious Gatet.") . _ P h y siological Response to V arious C oncentrations of Carbon M onoxide . Parts of Carbon - Monoxide per Million Parts of Air Concentration allowable for an exposure of several hours____________ 100- - Concentration which can be inhaled for 1 hour without appreciable effect 400 .to _500l_ Concentration causing a just appreciable effect after 1 hour exposure.... 600 to _700 J". Concentration causing unpleasant but not dangerous symptoms after 1 hour exposure--..;..___ 1000 to. 1200: .Dangerous concentration for exposure of 1 hour______________________ J--j --____________ 1500 to 2000 / Concentrations which are fatal in exposures of less than' Xhour- 4000 and abovc.*^ (Henderson, Haggard, Prince, Teague, and Wunderlich, J. Ind. Hygiene, 1921, III, pp. 79, 137.) P h ysiological Response to V arious C oncentrations of H ydrocyanic Slight symptoms after several hours' exposure- Maximum amount that can be inhaled for l hour without serious disturbance- Dangerous in 30 minutes to' 1 hour.............................................. .. ______ Rapidly fatal (Robert R., Kompend, der prak. Toxicol, Stuttgart, 1912.) A cid Gas Parts of Hydrogen Cyanide per Million Parts of Air 20 to 40 50 to 60 120. to 150 .. 3,000 P h ysiological R esponse to V arious C oncentrations o f Amm onia Least detectable odor (1). Least amount causing immediate irritation to the eye (1)----Least amount causing immediate irritation to the throat' ( l) . Least amount causing coughing (1) Maximum concentration allowable' for prolonged exposure (2 and -3)._____ _ Maximum concentration allowable for short exposure 0 4 to 1 hour) (2 and 3). Dangerous for even short exposure ($4 hour) (3)-----------i---------------------------Rapidly fatal for short exposure- (1--U. S. D ept of Interior, Bureau of Mines, Tech, paper 248, 1921 table facing page 66.) (2--Ronzani, IL, Arch. f. Hyg., 1909, 70, p. 217.) (3--Lehmann, K., Arch. f. Hyg., 1886, 5, p. 1.) Parts of Ammonta^ per Million P arts- of Air 53 693 48 1,7201 w 100300 to 500 2,500 to 4,5005,000 to 10,000 P h ysiological R esponse to V arious C oncentrations o f H ydrochloric A cid Gas Parts of Hydrogen , Chloride per Million Parts of Air *' Maximum concentration allowable for prolonged exposure (3a)......... -- ........ ....................... 10 Maximum concentration allowable for short exposure (J4 to 1 hour) (3a)---------------- :-- :------ 50 Dangerous for even short exposure (3a, 4 and 6)..... ..................... ' -............................................... 1,000 to 2,000 . V> (3a--Lehmann, K., Arch. f. Hyg., 1886, 5, p. L) v ~-(4--Kohn-Abrest, Annales des Falsifications, 1915, 8, .p. 215.) i,* .. (5--Leymann, Concordia, 1906, 18, p. 120.) . - <. ' ' .ss>. " . - Physiological Response to Various Concentrations of "Hydrofluoric Acid Gas 'V atriitionallowable for'prolonged exposure (2). ^ ' -V;r . < '* 'v !owable"for short exposure-($4 to l^hour) ..(2)___X_L--. nnsnre'-fa) - :~jy . ` " iHyg., 1 , 9 0 9 , 7 0 , 2 1 7 . ) -V Fluoride p e ri ; / . p *** ' GASES AND VAPORS P h ysiological Response to V arious C oncentrations o f Sulphur D ioxide Parts of Sulphur Dioxide per Million Parts of Air Least detectable odor (8 and 9)...................................... ............................................................. --....... 3 to 5 Least amount causing immediate irritation to the eyes (9) .....'.--------------------------- ---- -------------- 20 Least amount causing immediate irritation to the throat (9) _______________________________ 8 to 12 Least amount causing coughing------------- ---------------- ------------------------,------ ----------------------Maximum concentration allowable for prolonged exposure ( 9 ) ---------------------------------------------Maximum concentration allowable for short exposure (J to 1 hour) (9 and 10)...................... ...... 20 10 SO to 100 Dangerous for even short exposure (10)_______________________________________ _________ ( 8--U. S. Dept, of Interior, Bureau of Mines, Bulletin 98, 1915.) ( 9--Fieldner, A. and Katz, -S,, Eng. and Mining Jour., 1919, 107, p. 693.) -400 to 500 (10--Lehmann, Arch. f. Hyg., 18, 180.) P hysiological Response to V arious C oncentrations of Chlorine Parts of Chlorine per Million Parts Least detectable odor ( 1 ) _____________________________________________ ;----------------------- 3.5 Least amount causing immediate irritation to the throat ( l) _________________________________ 15.1 of Air Least amount causing coughing ( 1 ) _________________________________ :----------------------------30.2 Maximum concentration allowable for prolonged exposure ( l ) ______________________________ 1.0 Maximum concentration allowable for short exposure (Y i to 1 hour) (11)_____________________ 4.0 Dangerous for even short exposure (11)--------------------------------------------- ----------------- ------------- 40 to 60 Rapidly fatal for short exposure (11)-- i---------------------------------------!----------- i_______________ 1,000 ( 1--U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Technical Paper 248, 192L) (11--Robert, R., Kompendium der Prak, Toxicol., Stuttgart, 1912.) P h ysiological Response to V arious C oncentrations o f N itrous Fum es Parts of Nitrogen Dioxide per Million Parts of Air5' Least amount causing immediate irritation to the throat (14)........ ............ --........................-........--. 62 . Least amount causing coughing (14) .................... -- -- .......--..... ....... ............................................ Ml Maximum concentration allowable for prolonged exposure (14)---------------,y t............ ...........`-- 39 Dangerous for even short exposure (14)..................................................... ............................- ............. 117 -to 154 Rapidly fatal for short exposure (14).................--.............................. --........................< ...........- ...... .. ,240 to 775 (14--Lehmann, K. and Hasegawa, Arch. f. Hygiene, 1913, LXXVII, 323.) P hysiological R esponse to V arious C oncentrations o f Phosgene Least detectable odor ( l ) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Least amount required to cause immediate irritation to the eyes (1) -----------Least amount required to cause immediate irritation to the throat (1) .................. Least amount required'to cause coughing (1)-----------------------------------------------Maximum concentration allowable for prolonged exposure (1)................. ........... Dangerous for even short exposure (l)-- ............................................... ...- ...............- Rapidly fatal --------------------------- i.................................... ................................ .....-- (1--U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines, Technical Paper 248, 1931.) Parts, of Phosgene per Million Parts of Air 5.6 4.0 3.1 4.8 1.0 25.0 Over 25.0 P h y sio lo g ica l R esponse to V arious C oncentrations o f H alogen Com pounds of M ethyl Parts per Million Parts of .Air Carbon . Chloroform Tetrachloride Slight symptoms after several hours of exposure (4)----------------------------- -------- 290 1,600 Maximum concentration that can be inhaled for 1 hour without serious disturb ance (4) - - ...............-- ............-- --'-- 5.000 to 6,000 Dangerous after 30 minutes to 1 hour of exposure (4)----------------------------------- ' 14,000 Rapidly fatal for short exposure (2 and 5)----- ------------------------------ ---------- 25,000 4,000 to ,000.7 24.000 to 32,000 ' 48.000 to 60,000 (4--Robert, R., Kompend, d. prak. Toxikologie. S tuttgart 1912, 45.) (5--Lehmann, K. B., Arch. f. Hygiene, 1911, LXXIV, l.) (2--Herrmann, G,, Inaugural Dissertation, Wurzburg, G Fuchs, 191L) 10' ' HEALTH PRACTICES PAMPHLET NO. 9 P h y sio lo g ica l R esponse to Various C oncentrations of P hosphorus T richloride Parts of Phosphorus Trichloride per Million Parts of Air Maximum concentration allowable for prolonged exposure (11) ............................... ... .................. 0.7 Maximum concentration allowable for short exposure (11) .................... .......... ............. ...... .......... 2 to 4 Dangerous for even short exposure (11)....._............ ........ .......................... ....................... ................ . 50 to 90 Rapidly fatal'for short exposure_______________________________________________________ 6,520 (11--Kobert, R., Kompendium d. prakt. Toxicol., Stuttgart, 1912.) P h y siological R esponse to Various C oncentrations o f G asoline V apor Parts of Gasoline Vapor per Million Parts of Air Least detectable odor-------------------------------------------------------------,,------------------------------------- 300 Concentration dangerous for even short exposure_______ !__________ ._______________________ 11,000 to 22,000 Rapidly fatal for short exposure____________________ :___________________________________ 24,300 (1--U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines, Technical Paper 272, 192L) T ab le o f C om parative T o x icity of Chlorine D erivatives o f th e A lip h atic H ydrocarbons Relative lethal concentrations by volume in air, if lethal toxicity of CCL = 1. Methyl ch lo rid e________________________________________________________CH.Cl 0.6 (Approximation) Trichlororaethane (chloroform) _________ _CHC1* ( 1) 2.2 Tetrachloromethane (carbon tetrachloride). _CCL (1) 1.0 Dichloro ethylene . -CtHtCla (2) 1.7 Trichloro ethylene -C.HCL (2) 1.7 Perchloro ethylene . -C.CL (2) 1.6 Tetrachloro ethane . -C.H.C14 (2) 9.1 Pentachloro ethane -GHCL (2) 6.2 (Note: The concentration of the last five hydrocarbons have been shown experimentally to be lethal in expo sures of 3 0 -minutes or more.) ( l --Waller, A. D., Jour. Amer. Med. Assn, 1919, LIII, 9.) (2--Herrmann, G , Inaugural Dissertation; Wurzburg; C Fuchs, 1911.) L. P h y sio lo g ica l R esp on se to V arious Concentrations of H alogen C om pounds o f E th y l and H igher H ydrocarbons --- Parts per Million Parts of Air Trichloroethylene Perchlorocthane Tetrachloroethane Pentachlorc^thane Rapidly fatal for short exposure____________ 37,000 80,900 7,300 9,600 (2--Herrmann. G.. Inaugural Dissertation, Wurzburg, C Fuchs, 1911.) (9--Lehmann, K. B., Arch. f. Hygiene, 1911, LXXIV, 1.) P h y sio lo g ica l R esponse to V arious Concentrations o f C oal T ar D istilla tio n P vlu cts* Parts per Million Parts of Air Benzene, Toluene and Xylene Slight symptoms after several hours of exposure (7)------------------------------------------------------------ 1,570 to 3.130 Maximum concentration that can be inhaled for 1 hour without serious disturbance (7)------------- 3,130 to 4,700 Rapidly fatal for even short exposure (7)........................-.................. -....... ....... ................. -- .... --.... 19,000 The concentrations given here are for acute effects: exposure of several hours a day to concentrations lower than those mentioned leads in a short time to chronic poisoning. (7--U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines, Technical Paper 278, 1921.) P h y sio lo g ica l R esponse to V arious C oncentrations o f Carbon D isu lp h iJ-* Parts of Carbon Disulphide per Million ' Parts of Air S lig h t symptoms a fte r several hours of exposure ( 7 ) ........................................................................... . . . ' . m i ................................................................. 322 to 880 , Maximum concentration that can be inhaled for 1 hour without serious disturbance (7). 483 to Dangerous after 30 minutes to l hour of exposure (7). 11 Thereonntrations given here are for acute effects; exoosure of several lu>un a day to concentratii T;VjlEhaa thosfcmetttioned leads'-in a short time to chronic poisoning. Interior^Bureaa of MineS,;Technical Paper 272, 192Lj GASES AND VAPORS 11 P h y sio lo g ica l R esponse to V arious C oncentrations o f A rom atic N itro-S ub stitu tion P roducts and A m ido Com pounds Farts per Million of Air Nitrobenzene Aniline Toluidine Slight symptoms after several hours exposure_______________________ 0.2 to 0.4 7.0 to 26.0 6.0 to 23.0 Maximum amount that can be inhaled for one hour without serious disturbance ________________________ _____ ________ ______ __ 1.0 105.0 to 160.9 91.0 to 140.0 P h ysiological R esponse to V arious C oncentrations of A rsine Parts of Arsine per Million Parts of Air Slight symptoms after several hours of exposure (8)---------------------------------- --------------------- 30 Dangerous for exposure of one hour (9)____________________ ____ ________ ______________ 50 Fatal to man in exposure of 30 minutes (9)____________________________________________ 250 (8--Dubitsky. Quoted from Koelsch. I. ZentralbL f. Gewerbehyg., 1920, VIII, 121.) (9--Kokn Abrest, E , Annales des Falsifications, 1915, VIII, p. 215.) P h ysiological R esponse to V arious C oncentrations o f H ydrogen Phosphide Parts of Hydrogen Phosphide per Million Parts of Air Maximum amount that can be inhaled for 1 hour without serious result (11)..________________ 100 to 200 Dangerous in 30 minutes to 1 hour (11)------------------------------------------------------------------------<00 to 600 Rapidly fatal ( 12)--- --_------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i------ 2,000 (11--Robert, R , Kompend. d. prak. Toxikologie, Stuttgart, 1912, 45.) (12--Rambousek, Industrial Poisoning, London, 1913, 191.) P h ysiological R esponse to V arious C oncentrations o f H ydrogen Sulphide Parts of Hydrogen Sulphide per Million Parts of Air Slight symptoms after several hours (11)-------------------------------<-------- ;---------------------- ---- 100 to 150 Maximum amount that can be inhaled for 1 hour without serious disturbance (11)----------- ---- 200 to 300 Dangerous in 30 minutes to 1 hour (11)------------------------------------------- 1--------------------- ------ ' 500 to 700 Rapidly fatal (11 and 15)---------------------------------- --------------------------------- s---------- : -- :----- 1,000 to 8,000 (11--Robert, R , Rompend. d. prak, ToxikoL, Stuttgart, 1912.). (15--Sayres, R. R , U. S. Bureau of Mines, Report on Hydrogen Sulphide as an Industrial Poison, Investiga tions Serial Number 2491, June, 1923.) ) i ' l