Prevention of solvent toxicity

Toxicity: Organic solvents have fat solubility, so they can be quickly absorbed through the intact skin in addition to entering the body through the respiratory and digestive tracts. After being absorbed into the human body, organic solvents will act on the nervous and blood systems rich in lipid substances, as well as substantive organs such as the liver and kidneys, and also have a certain degree of irritation to the skin and mucous membranes. The main target organs and the strength of action of different organic solvents vary, which depends on the chemical structure, solubility, contact concentration and time of each organic solvent, as well as the sensitivity of the body.
neurotoxicity
Fatty hydrocarbons (n-hexane, pentane, gasoline), aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, styrene, butyltoluene, vinyltoluene), chlorinated hydrocarbons (trichloroethylene, dichloromethane), as well as solvents with strong lipophilicity such as carbon disulfide and phosphoric acid, are commonly used. There are roughly three types of damage to the nervous system caused by organic solvents: the first is toxic neurasthenia and autonomic dysfunction. Patients may experience symptoms such as dizziness, headache, insomnia, excessive dreaming, drowsiness, weakness, decreased memory, loss of appetite, weight loss, as well as excessive sweating, unstable emotions, accelerated or slowed heartbeat, blood pressure fluctuations, decreased skin temperature, or asymmetrical bilateral limb temperature; The second type is toxic peripheral neuritis. Most of them are sensory, followed by hybrid. May present with symptoms such as limb numbness, decreased sensation, tingling pain, limb weakness, muscle atrophy, etc; The third type is toxic encephalopathy, which is relatively rare and can be seen in severe acute and chronic poisoning of organic solvents such as carbon disulfide, benzene, and gasoline.
Blood toxicity
Aromatic hydrocarbons, especially benzene, are the most common. A certain dose of benzene can inhibit bone marrow hematopoietic function, often leading to a decrease in white blood cells, followed by a decrease in platelets, and finally a decrease in red blood cells, resulting in a decrease in whole blood cells. Individuals who are sensitive to exposure to benzene may develop leukemia.
Hepatorenal toxicity
Commonly seen in chlorinated hydrocarbon organic solvents, such as chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, trichloropropane, dichloroethane, and other toxic substances. The pathological changes of toxic hepatitis mainly include fatty liver and hepatocyte necrosis. Clinically, there may be symptoms such as liver pain, loss of appetite, weakness, emaciation, hepatosplenomegaly, and abnormal liver function. Organic solvent induced renal damage is often tubular, resulting in proteinuria and progressive decline in renal function.
Skin and mucosal irritation
Most organic solvents have varying degrees of skin and mucosal irritation, but mainly ketones and esters. Can cause respiratory inflammation, bronchial asthma, contact and allergic dermatitis, eczema, conjunctivitis, etc.
prevention and cure
When producing and using organic solvents, it is necessary to strengthen sealing and ventilation to reduce the escape and evaporation of organic solvents. Adopting automation and mechanized operations to reduce opportunities for operators to have direct contact. Personal protective equipment, such as gas masks or protective gloves, should be used. When the skin and mucous membranes are contaminated, they should be washed clean in a timely manner. Do not eat or smoke with contaminated hands. Wash hands, take a shower, and change clothes frequently. Regular health checks should be conducted, and when symptoms of poisoning are detected early, corresponding treatment and rigorous dynamic observation should be carried out.