Dichloroethane poisoning is often found in medical practice. This compound is part of solvents and household cleaning products. In addition, it is used in production. Sometimes it is bad enough to ventilate the room when working with household chemicals to get serious poisoning, which in severe cases ends fatally. The outcome of intoxication depends entirely on how timely first aid is provided. Therefore, it is important for each person to know about the signs of poisoning with this poison in order to save the patient in time.
What is dichloroethane?
Dichloroethane is an organic hydrocarbon compound containing chlorine. The substance is a colorless liquid. Its aroma reminds a smell of ethyl alcohol. The compound is a strong solvent. This hydrocarbon evaporates quickly, therefore, in medicine, dichloroethane poisoning is most often observed when inhaling its vapors. The substance is dangerous, as it causes severe intoxication.
Where is this substance
It is impossible to obtain dichloroethane in its pure form. Its free sale is prohibited, since the compound is highly toxic and relates to narcotic drugs. However, dichloroethane is used for industrial purposes, and is also found in some household chemicals:
- The substance is used in the manufacture of rubber, polyethylene, PVC and ethylene glycol.
- Dichloroethane is treated to prevent fungus formation.
- The compound is used in insecticides for agriculture.
- Dichloroethane is added to degreasing fluids and polishing preparations.
- This substance is part of stain removers, paints and glues.
- In medicine, the compound is used as part of mixtures for anesthesia.
Dichloroethane poisoning is most often observed in industrial conditions and at home.
The effects of poison on the body
When ingested, dichloroethane enters the bloodstream. In the vessels, it does not linger for a long time and is quickly deposited in the liver, kidneys and spleen. In these organs, dichloroethane is metabolized. Its decomposition products are formed, which have even stronger toxic properties. They have a negative effect on many organs. Cell membranes are destroyed, irreversible changes occur in the liver and kidneys. In addition, dichloroethane inhibits the central nervous system.
Ways of poisoning
Most often, poisoning with dichloroethane vapors is noted. The poison enters the body through the respiratory tract. This occurs when there is a high concentration of vapor of the substance in the room, insufficient ventilation during operation with household chemicals. Poisoning is possible in case of violations of the rules for storage of this substance in production, as well as when using dichloroethane vapor as a drug.
Poisoning with dichloroethane on the skin is somewhat less common. This occurs with careless use of household chemicals, glue and paints.
Liquid penetration through the gastrointestinal tract is rare. Such poisoning can occur in children. A child may mistakenly drink an unfamiliar liquid. There are also cases where adults take dichloroethane for ethyl alcohol and take it inside. If poison enters the stomach, it causes the most severe poisoning. The lethal dose of dichloroethane is only 20 ml when taken orally.
Symptoms of Acute Poisoning
After inhalation of vapors after 5-6 minutes, the first signs of dichloroethane poisoning in a person appear. They are associated with the neurotoxic and narcotic effects of the poison on the central nervous system. The following symptoms are characteristic of the first stage of intoxication:
- Strong headache;
- dizziness;
- weakness;
- slight redness of the mucous membrane of the nose and eyes;
- feeling of intoxication, euphoria;
- disorientation;
- shaky gait ;
- sweet taste in the mouth.
The clinical picture of the initial stage of poisoning resembles alcohol intoxication. In severe cases, the patient falls into a coma, which is accompanied by a retraction of the tongue, increased secretion of saliva and sputum.
After 0.5-2 hours, symptoms of dichloroethane poisoning from the gastrointestinal tract appear:
- vomiting mixed with bile or blood;
- diarrhea (feces look like flakes and the smell of chlorine);
- stomach ache;
- secretion of foam from the mouth.
Auditory and visual hallucinations may also be observed. With timely treatment and first aid, the symptoms of dichloroethane poisoning subside after 3-5 days.
In more severe cases and in the absence of therapy, the stage of damage to the cardiovascular system occurs. A person develops psychomotor agitation and tachycardia. Blood pressure rises first and then drops sharply. Gradually, a person develops heart failure and the pulse disappears. This indicates a poor prognosis of poisoning. Damage to the heart is fatal within 3 days.
In addition, the patient has signs of toxic hepatitis and kidney damage. There are pains in the right side, the skin turns yellow. Renal failure develops, which often causes the patient to die.
If the poison enters the body through the esophagus, then signs of poisoning develop rapidly. There is diarrhea with blood and severe repeated vomiting, after which the patient does not feel better. The smell of chlorine comes from exhaled air, as well as vomit and feces. Convulsions appear, gait is sharply disturbed. Hepatic and renal failure is rapidly developing. Fatalities when dichloroethane is taken orally are more common than when inhaled by its vapor.
If dichloroethane is on the skin, then redness appears on the epidermis, itching and burning are felt. With frequent contact with the substance, dermatitis can occur. Most often, only a local reaction is noted. But in some cases, the poison can be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. Then the clinical picture of general poisoning develops with all of the above symptoms.
Symptoms of chronic intoxication
Chronic poisoning is observed in people who regularly come in contact with dichloroethane in the workplace. In this case, a small dose of a toxic substance constantly enters the body. Symptoms of such poisoning are not as pronounced as in acute intoxication. However, a person constantly feels a deterioration in well-being.
With chronic poisoning of a person, headache, weakness, asthenia are often worried. The patient quickly becomes tired, often experiencing depression. Disturbed night sleep. Gastrointestinal diseases, neurocirculatory dystonia, deviation of indicators in a biochemical blood test can occur.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of dichloroethane poisoning is usually not difficult. The disease can be identified by a characteristic clinical picture and a history of contact with poison. If it is required to conduct differential diagnostics with intoxication with ethyl alcohol and ethylene glycol, then a blood and urine test for dichloroethane is prescribed. The toxic substance in biological fluids is determined by gas chromatography.
First aid
First aid for dichloroethane poisoning should be provided immediately. The method of pre-medical measures depends on the way the poison enters the body.
It is necessary first of all to call an ambulance. Then you need to start the following activities:
- If dichloroethane enters the body through the respiratory tract, it is necessary to remove the patient to fresh air. You also need to dress the patient in other clothes, as the fabric quickly absorbs fumes of poison.
- If the toxin gets on the skin, then the affected area should be washed with soap. At the same time, the epidermis should not be rubbed strongly, as this will contribute to the absorption of the poison into the blood.
- With the oral intake of poison in the body, it is urgent to rinse the stomach with plenty of water. Then the patient is given activated charcoal. It is useful to take petroleum jelly, this drug acts as a laxative and binds the remnants of the poison. You can give the patient to drink jelly. This drink has an enveloping effect and prevents the absorption of toxin.
Treatment
Treatment of poisoning is carried out in a hospital. A special antidote “Acetylcysteine” (“Fluimucil”) is administered to the patient. In addition, Reopoliglukin injections are made to maintain vital functions.
Next, symptomatic treatment is carried out:
- When aspiration poisoning do oxygen inhalation.
- Plasma substituting agents are administered.
- In renal failure, a hemodialysis procedure is indicated.
- For detoxification drug "Unithiol" is administered.
- To improve tissue respiration and metabolism, the drug “Cytochrome C” is prescribed.
- At the recovery stage, the appointment of vitamins of group B, E and lipoic acid is indicated.
Prevention
To prevent dichloroethane poisoning, all work with this substance should be carried out either in air or in a well-ventilated area. When in contact with this poison, special clothing must be worn. After finishing work, you need to take a shower and change into a clean one.
Also, when working with the substance, it is recommended to use rubber gloves. This will help prevent skin poison.
Often, dichloroethane is used in adhesives. In this case, glued things need to be carried out in the open air. They can be brought into the room only when the glue is completely dry.
All workers in contact with dichloroethane in the workplace must undergo a medical examination regularly. This will help in time to identify possible deviations in the state of health and conduct treatment.