The main danger of gaseous toxic substances is that some are odorless, and the vast majority of them are transparent and colorless. Poisonous gases quickly fill the room, and freely penetrate the body through the lungs, skin and mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. This is their insidiousness and difference from liquid poisons. These substances are used as chemical warfare agents. They were first used during the First World War.
Pungent colorless poisonous gases
- Chlorine. Probably known to all housewives. Even ordinary chlorine-based detergents can cause household poisoning. Bitterness in the mouth, burning eyes, sore throat, headache are symptoms of poisoning. Included in the gas is chlorocyan, a chemical warfare agent from which even gas masks do not save.
- Hydrogen sulfide. This gas smells like rotten eggs. Its danger is a person’s quick getting used to the smell, which after some time is no longer felt. A metallic taste in the mouth is a sign of hydrogen sulfide poisoning.
- Mustard gas. It has a mustard smell. Successfully used during various military conflicts. It quickly affects the body, leaving ulcers on the skin. Initially, bubbles form on the affected area. Then they burst. Ulcers heal up to two months.
- Sulphur dioxide. This is sulfur oxide, known to us from school chemistry lessons. The gas formula is SO2. It smells very harsh and unpleasant of burning sulfur. It affects the respiratory system. When exposed to gas, an edema of the lungs and larynx can occur. The symptom of poisoning is difficulty breathing.
- Zarin. Combat gas. Initially, it has the form of a liquid, but instantly evaporates as soon as it reaches a temperature of 20 ° C. Very dangerous, causes serious consequences, fatal to the body. This gas, unlike the above, is odorless.
If an unpleasant pungent odor suddenly appears in the room
Leave the room, leaving at least the door open. Ideally, you need to open all available windows, providing ventilation. You need to act without delay, each breath of poisoned air lowers the chances of a successful outcome. There is a danger of completely losing consciousness.
After reading the article, you learned more about toxic gases. Nevertheless, I hope that you do not have to put this knowledge into practice.