Ammonia is a toxic element and when it enters the body causes an immediate reaction. Both gaseous and liquid ammonia are dangerous to humans. In the first case, it enters the respiratory tract and irritates the mucous membranes. If liquid ammonia gets on human skin, it immediately causes severe burns.
Ammonia poisoning: why does it occur? In the modern world, ammonia is used in the manufacture of refrigerators, so people working in this industry are at risk.
In addition, ammonia poisoning is quite often observed in people who work in factories producing organic dyes, soda, sugar and special fertilizers. Acute poisoning is also possible when cleaning sewer pipes or cesspools.
Ammonia poisoning: symptoms. The first signs of ammonia poisoning are irritation of the mucous membrane of the eyes and nasopharynx. A person feels a sore throat and dry mouth. Poisoned people, as a rule, begin to sneeze intensively - thus, the body tries to free itself from the allergen. Further, a strong cough is observed , hoarseness occurs. With longer contact with ammonia, a person begins to feel acute chest pain. Perhaps the occurrence of severe nausea, which develops into vomiting.
Ammonia and its compounds also affect the nervous system - a person becomes too excited, his movements - abrupt. Ammonia poisoning can be accompanied by severe delirium and a complete loss of control over the body. In severe cases in patients, the threshold of auditory sensitivity is significantly reduced, a person can not tolerate even quiet sounds, from which he may begin to cramp.
With severe intoxication of the body, the sore throat becomes burning, sometimes laryngeal edema develops. The patient has a strong feeling of suffocation. Severe consequences such as toxic bronchitis, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema are also possible . As a rule, too much ammonia poisoning results in death. In addition, with prolonged contact with this toxic substance, important centers of the brain are also affected. With prolonged exposure to the toxin, irreversible changes in memory, thinking and the development of mental retardation are possible.
With the penetration of ammonia or its compounds into the digestive tract, the development of extensive necrosis begins, which leads to internal bleeding and intense pain shock. In catastrophic cases, the narrowing of the esophagus begins, as well as some parts of the stomach. Such severe ammonia poisoning can result in death.
If liquid ammonia gets on the skin, severe burns appear.
Ammonia poisoning: first aid and treatment methods.
First you need to take a sick person out of the room to fresh air. If necessary, take artificial respiration. Then you need to free the victim from clothing if it constricts his movement or bothers breathing.
If ammonia gets on the mucous membrane of the eyes or skin, thoroughly rinse the affected areas with plenty of running water. In case of damage to the nasal mucosa and oral cavity, rinse them immediately with a weak solution of baking soda.
If ammonia enters the body through the digestive system, you need to make the affected person drink milk with soda.
If the symptoms of the lesion are too strong, the patient cannot speak, is delirious, or has completely lost consciousness, he must be taken to the nearest hospital immediately, as in severe cases the victim needs immediate hospitalization or resuscitation.
Remember that ammonia is a very toxic substance. Therefore, if you work in conditions of increased risk, do not forget about safety features.