Document EdXZvoa9a5G9Dz43oKBnwJe9g

* n'l is'i ' mmIiIlf:jt fett' ls BBS, f fe*H' ; Ifrl; ' >, s ' ELEMENTS OF INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY in the handling of wet dross from a light metals plant, in the cleaning of tauk cars which have held sulfuric and hydrochloric adds, in the cleaning of pipes with an add contaminated with arsenic, in the precipita tion of cadmium with metallic zinc, and in other operations. Arsine rapidly destroys die red cells. After it has been inhaled, the first signs are those of lade of oxygen. After some time the body begins to excrete the damaged red cells, which appear as a dark or bloody urine. The kidneys may then become too clogged to operate at all. Arsine, in very small amounts, is also capable of producing & chronic type of poisoning, but it is more typically a source of acute episodes. The possibility of arsine formation should always be considered when there is freshly formed hydrogen around ores of the heavy metals, since arsenic is widely distributed in small amounts and only a trace of it is re quired to produce enough arsine to be trou blesome. One of the more common sources of arsine incidents in recent years has been the han dling of dross from the aluminum refining of metals. Probably the most significant ob servation about these cases, aside from the fact that the moisture in the atmosphere is enough to form arsine, is the fact that the people involved In them have not been aware of die garlic-like odor which is supposed to be a warning of the presence of arsine. See Hygienic Guide. Asbestos is a hydrated magnesium silicate found in the minerals chrysotile, amianthus, actinolite, and tremolite. Practically all the commercial asbestos is either chrysotile or amianthus, and about 90 per cent of that used in this country is chrysotile. It is used almost exclusively for heat insulation or for textiles which must resist high temperature, such as heat-resistant clothing and brake linings. Inhalation of excessive quantities of as bestos fiber can produce a fibrosis in the lungs similar to that found in silicosis but somewhat milder and usually not so rapidly progressive. Like silicosis, the condition de velops and advances slowly and is equally resistant to treatment. There is also good evidence that inhaled asbestos causes lung cancer. See Hygienic Guide. Barium, in the form of its soluble toxic on both ingestion and inhalation highly caustic when applied to the skin, carbonate and sulfide are sufficiently sol to be toxic, although not very caustic, sulfate, which is used as a contrast me in X-ray work, is too Insoluble to show toxicity, and soluble sulfates are antidotes for ingested barium salts. Since these salts produce violent stiu tion of all muscle, upon ingestion they duce severe disturbances of the digi system. After absorption, the barium _ increase blood pressure by constriction the arterial muscle, slow down heart by an action similar to that of digitalis, first excite and then paralyze the ce_ nervous system. In spite of the high inher^' ent toxicity, there are few cases of induSp.' trial poisoning with barium. v- Barium is a heavy metal, and the dust of, the insoluble salts will collect In the lungi' and give rise to the condition known w? baritosis. Its nodular appearance on X-taJ? film may be mistaken for that of silicosis!' Men showing the sign of baritosis are ap-f' parently not disabled or inconvenienced itf any way. See Hygienic Guide. V Benzene (benzol) is a. colorless, flamina-' ble, volatile liquid with a rather pleasaot aromatic odor. Its fire hazard is between, ethyl alcohol and ethyl ether. The greatest hazard is that of chronic poisoning by in halation of comparatively small amounts over a long period of time. It is one of the, two or three most dangerous organic sol vents in commercial use, and acts primarily on the blood-forming organs, producing se-. vero anemia, bleeding under the skin, and great reduction in the ability of the blood to clot. The most convenient measurement of damage is given by a blood count. Peoplq who may be exposed to benzene vapor should have blood counts at regular inters vals and significant changes In the count should be closely Investigated. Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, loss of ap petite, irritability,' nervousness, nosebleed, and other signs of abnormalities of the blood may or may not be present in chronic poisoning. A single heavy exposure to benzene vapor may produce a serious acute effect, similar jton a f'ttjuaUy f$trie |Soos.d The lair, lofbodil I- Skin a avoided .jolvenU the skt most c ofthev See gtenic t Benz dohexa Benz in a va por Is and thr liquid r Bery eases P tion rep (cal pr worker: and wa A de terized two or caused Even r that th beiylliu may be showed as the general so tha weight to a c cases o andbei ported. Althc was tb has sin tionabl; quandt ehemic: Acute 40-18 NSC-000017 (8.26.04)