Document pYeXaVB6Me26M8Bk7payy6ka

accident prevention MANUAL 462 INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE in suspected cases of poisoning from ex posure to zinc, these other toxic elements should not be overlooked. The only significant physiological effect of zinc appears to be metal fume fever. Although of transient character the fever, chills and sweating may. be sufficiently se vere to cause disability of one or two days' duration. The salts of this metal have an irritant effect on the skin. Zirconium. No evidence of poisoning due to this metal has been reported. There are, however, certain fire and explosion hazards associated with the handling of the powdered metal and its hydride. Industrial poisons (Radio-active elements) Radium, thorium, uranium, radon, x-ray (See section on radiation, Page 4S9.) Industrial poisons (Metalloids) Antimony. The action of antimony is similar to that of arsenic and lead, but not so severe. Antimony can be very irri tating to the skin and mucous membranes. Systemically, it resembles lead in its gastro-intestinal effects, but it usually causes diarrhea instead of constipation. In suspicious cases both lead and arensic must be ruled out. Arsenic. A frequent industrial health hazard results from the arsenic sulfide con tamination of the ores of heavy metals. Arsenic compounds also have wide appli cation in a number of industries. When ever contact with acid occurs, there is a possibility of arsine being formed. Such formation is to be guarded against in the cleaning of tank cars which have contained concentrated hydrochloric or sul furic acid. Arsine is extremely poisonous, completely destroying the red blood cells in a relatively short time. .l/atipaur.rc. The mo-t frequent source of manganese poisoning is in ore handling, especially in the dusty operations of sepa ration and grinding. Disturbances of the central nervous system similar to those of paralysis agitans occur, progressing from general muscular weakness, tremors of the extremities, spasticity, emotional upsets, speech peculiarity, mask-like expression, and ultimately complete disability. P/|,1 - TT.- ------ .1- figuring phosphorus poisoning is now dom seen. It has been eliminated byS change from the poisonous white fora the innocuous red phosphorus. The soning is always chronic. Exposure to phosphine (phosphorus^ dride) may occur rarely in pickling-{ tions and in the manufacture df con. This gas causes respiratory i gastro-intestinal disturbances, b general! weakness and, if the exposure is great, vulsions. Selenium. Of increasing industria plication, selenium and its soluble pounds are systemic poisons and to the skin and mucous membranes.. Tellurium is similar to selenium effects and symptoms. Industrial poisons (Non-metals) Boron. Compounds of boron are toj but no industrial poisoning has been3 ported. Carbon disulfide, a widely used solvj; is a strong nerve poison if absorbed tinuously. Chromium. Chromic acid, chromate dichromate salts are extremely irritati to the skin, eyes and all mucous branes. Silicon. The dioxide, so-called silica," is the cause of a fibrotic dise the lungs which, if it progresses, eventually limit the respiratory functic Exposure tor long periods (usually?" years) to excessive concentrations of finelyy divided dust containing high percentages^ free silica are followed by the charade istic symptoms of this lung disease. Til-J berculosis frequently follows. Asbestosjg^ causes a similar disability. WSm Sulphur is not a cause of industrial pokj. soning, but it may produce skin irritatidilfsPp Some of its compounds, for example, _ hydrogen sulfide, are extremely toxic. ItJ|| is not only irritating, especially to the e>T? but it has a marked systemic effect in pro durimr paralysis of the respiratory centeih|| Hydrogen sulfide may be produced in ' many industries where sulphur-containinjfcgb, compounds, especially sulfides, come contact with dilute acids. Sulfur dioxide, a . common result of gas and coal combustion. Titan: manium these ef have be hze to Industrl (Gases) Oxyg< oxygen but it 1 posure to the in the Hydr ss of ir nature. it may a carrie Nitre as an : tures. r extent, atmosp its phyiamage Xitroge irritatin tract. The come ir during operatii the for consider the rest monary .Yitric . tion of resultar. Of t: .rates ; turbanc here be widely They at tact w-i cyanide also da Acid hydrog r'nr dio :rogen i been re