Document zQJNmDXxQENJbkJEopeOYVve7

ELEMENTS OF INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY In the general handling of chlorates, con tact of these compounds with mineral acids so as to produce anhydrous chloric sod should be prevented It is likely to be spon taneously explosive, as well as highly sensi tive to contact with reducing agents. See Hygtemc Guide Sodium cyanide is a white, slightly hygro scopic solid with a reaction sufficiently alka line to produce a severe dermatitis when die don is exposed to its dust or its solu tions. Cyanide poisoning in industry is not com mon. When it does occur, it is usually die result of inhalation of hydrogen cyanide gas, used as a fumigant or produced by contact of one of the metallic cyanides with add, including carbon dioxide gas and moisture from the atmosphere See Hydrogen cya nide. The simple metallic cyanides are all ex tremely toxic if swallowed. For sodium cyanide, the lethal dose ts about 9 mg per kg of body weight or about 0 019 oz for a man Some authorities state that cyanide can be absorbed into the system through the skin or through die lesions of the tone bum which it produces. This is not, however, a common method of industrial poisoning. Cyanide prevents oxygen exchange be tween the tissues and the blood. The symp toms of poisoning are dizziness, headache, a feeling of oppression m the chest, dryness and irritation of die throat, palpitation of the heart, difficult breathing and sometimes vomiting, followed by loss of consciousness and convulsions A lethal dose produces rapid death and therefore can be counter acted only by immediate first aid A most effective single first-aid measure for this type of internal asphyxia is the sup plying of oxygen or oxygen-carbon dioxide mixture for breathing The person admin istering first aid should also 1 Send for a doctor at once. 2 Remove the victim to fresh air, without exposing the rescuer to poisoning 3. Remove clothing which may contain hy drogen cyanide and wrap the victim in blankets or otherwise keep him warm 4. If breathing has stopped, apply artificial respiration. 5. Supply oxygen or oxygen-carbon dioxide mixture for inhalation. 6 Permit inhalation of the contents of an ampule of amyl nitrite, repeat after 15 nunutes 7 If the victim has swallowed a cyanide compound and is conscious, induce vom iting by giving him a large quantity of tepid water containing an emetic Never try to induce vomiting m on unconscious person Fust-aid supplies, as specified by die phy sician m charge, should be m readiness in all plants where cyanides are used. Cyanides should be stored and used so that they will not come into contact with adds or be exposed to the air Where cya nides are used m bulk, men should not be permitted to work alone m an area with an open container. The layout should provide for ready re moval of deposits of dust from the structure and equipment Dust and vapor incidental to die process should be removed at the source as completely as possible. Local ex haust equipment for this purpose should be designed with special attention to accessi bility for denning, mm hydrolysis of alkali cyanides leaves a deposit of alkali carbonates which form a sticky, tenacious coating on die equipment Employees who handle cyanides should be provided with protective clothing which will prevent skin contact with the solid or solu tion, end appropriate respirators, either canister or supplied atmosphere, should be provided for emergency use Sodium hydroxide--see Potassium hy droxide, Stibine (antimony hydnde) is a toxic gas produced by the generation of hydrogen m die presence of elemental antimony. Charg ing of storage batteries of die lead-acid type produces stabme from the antimony which is in die lead grids as a hardening alloy This occurs mostly as the battery is overcharged and in increasing amounts as the battery grows older Shbme is also apt to be formed when water is apphed to the dross bom alumi num refining of metals. Its presence and effects in this instance are overshadowed by the arsme also produced Relatively little is knows about the tox icity of stibine, but from the information 40-52