Carbon monoxide as a factor of industrial hazard. Principles of preventing adverse effects on the human body

25.01.202427.05.2017

Carbon dioxide is a colorless gas with a slightly sour odor and taste, registered in the international classification of food additives under code E290. Used as a preservative, propellant, antioxidant and acidity regulator.

General characteristics of carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a heavy, odorless, colorless gas known as carbon dioxide. A special feature of carbon dioxide is its ability at atmospheric pressure to transform from a solid state directly into a gaseous state, bypassing the liquid stage (calorizator). In its liquid state, carbon dioxide is stored at elevated pressure. The solid state of carbon dioxide - white crystals - is known as "dry ice".

The formation of carbon dioxide occurs during the combustion and decay of organic substances; it is released during the respiration of plants and animals, and is naturally found in the air and mineral springs.

The benefits and harms of carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is not a toxic substance and is therefore considered harmless to the human body. But, being an accelerator of the process of absorption of substances into the gastric mucosa, it provokes, for example, rapid intoxication when drinking carbonated alcoholic drinks. It is not recommended to get carried away with drinking soda for anyone who has any problems with the gastrointestinal tract, because the most harmless negative manifestations of E290 are bloating and belching.

Application of E290

The main use of Carbon Dioxide is its use as an E290 preservative in the production of carbonated drinks. It is often used in the fermentation process of grape raw materials to control fermentation. E290 is included in preservatives for storing packaged meat and dairy products, bakery products, vegetables and fruits. Dry ice is used as a freezing and cooling agent to preserve ice cream, as well as fresh fish and seafood. As a baking powder, E290 “works” in the process of baking bread and pastries.

On sale you can find E290 Carbon dioxide in cylinders or in the form of “dry ice” blocks in special sealed packages.

Use of E290 Carbon Dioxide in Russia

On the territory of the Russian Federation, the use of food additive E290 in the food industry as a preservative and leavening agent is permitted.

Carbon monoxide is the most common industrial poison and is found wherever there are processes of incomplete combustion of carbon. The danger of poisoning workers with CO exists in blast furnace, open-hearth, forge, foundry, thermal shops, when working on vehicles (exhaust gases contain significant amounts of CO), in chemical plants where carbon monoxide is a raw material (synthesis of phosgene, ammonia, methyl alcohol, etc. )

Carbon monoxide enters the body by inhalation, quickly penetrates through the alveolar-capillary membrane into the blood, binds to Fe + hemoglobin, forming a stable compound - carboxyhemoglobin, which is unable to perform normal functions, resulting in hypoxemia. Affinity of CO for hemoglobin V 300 times higher than oxygen. In addition, CO interacts with myoglobin, the ferrous form of cytochrome oxidase and other copper- and iron-containing enzymes, which disrupts the oxygen supply to muscles.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in acute and chronic forms. At acute poisoning and very high CO concentrations, loss of consciousness, convulsions and death are observed (fulminant form). In milder cases (delayed form), three degrees of severity of the clinical picture are distinguished:

I. Mild degree. Severe headache, dizziness, tinnitus, weakness, palpitations, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting. There is an increase in pressure, dilation of the pupils, loss of orientation in time and space, and euphoria. The content of HbCO in the blood is 10-30 %.

II. Average degree. Symptoms sharply intensify, consciousness is darkened, marked drowsiness, weakness, and apathy are characteristic. The skin and mucous membranes become purple, shortness of breath increases, blood pressure drops, and euphoria develops. The content of HbSO in the blood is 30-50%.

III. Severe degree. Characterized by loss of consciousness, loss of reflexes, involuntary urination and defecation, clonic and tonic convulsions, Cheyne-Stokes breathing. The content of HbSO in the blood is 50-70%.

At chronic poisoning OM primarily affects the central nervous system, which is manifested by headaches, dizziness, irritability, insomnia, etc. Nausea, decreased appetite, palpitations, etc. may also occur.

Prevention Carbon monoxide poisoning includes:

1. Technological measures - ensuring automation and sealing of production processes that prevent CO from entering the work area.

2. Sanitary measures - first of all, equipping production premises with effective supply and exhaust ventilation, installing systems for monitoring the gas content in the air of production premises, etc.

3. Hygienic standardization - establishment and compliance with maximum permissible concentrations of CO in the air of industrial premises (20 mg/m).

4. Treatment and preventive measures- conducting preliminary and periodic medical examinations.

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Carbon monoxide(carbon monoxide, CO) is a colorless, odorless gas. Competes with oxygen when binding to hemoglobin (Hb). The mechanism of its action is as follows:
Clinical manifestations of the effects of CO on the human body depend on the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. At 20% hemoglobin saturation, a healthy person experiences headache, mild behavioral changes, decreased performance, and decreased memory. In the range of 20–50%, severe headache, nausea, weakness and mental disturbances are noted. Above 50%, there is loss of consciousness with depression of the cardiac and respiratory centers, arrhythmia and a drop in blood pressure as a result of dilatation of peripheral vessels. People with diseases of the brain, coronary and peripheral vessels are most sensitive to carbon monoxide.
Smokers have endogenous carboxyhemoglobin levels of approximately 5–15% and may develop symptoms of poisoning more quickly than nonsmokers. Carbon monoxide easily crosses the placenta and induces a neurotoxic effect on the brain of the fetus of a smoking woman, which can manifest as subsequent pathology in newborns.
Carbon dioxide(carbon dioxide, CO 2) is a colorless gas with a sour taste and odor. Approximately 70% of total CO 2 enters the atmosphere when fuel is burned. The remaining amount is due to the respiration of organisms, deforestation, intensive agriculture, and microbiological processes in the soil. Plays an important role in regulating the influx of -radiation, X-rays, ultraviolet and infrared rays to the Earth, and also reduces the thermal radiation of the Earth. Currently, the concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere is 0.034%. It increases by about 0.5% per year. Over the 20th century, the concentration of carbon dioxide increased by 20%. The accumulation of CO 2 (as well as other greenhouse gases) is associated with the occurrence of the “greenhouse effect”.
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Most likely, everyone has heard the concept of “carbon monoxide” at least once. After all, many people have suffered because of this substance. Unfortunately, despite awareness of carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide poisoning is still common. This is often observed in homes where there is a harmful effect of carbon monoxide on the human body in that the substance affects the respiratory system. As a result, changes in blood composition occur. After which the whole body begins to suffer. If left untreated, intoxication can cause serious consequences.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless substance. Another name for this compound is carbon monoxide. The formula of carbon monoxide is CO. This substance is not considered to pose much of a hazard at room temperature. High toxicity occurs if the atmospheric air is very heated. For example, during fires. However, even a small concentration of carbon monoxide can cause poisoning. At room temperature, this chemical rarely causes symptoms of severe intoxication. But it can cause chronic poisoning, which people rarely pay attention to.

Found everywhere. It is formed not only during fires, but also under normal conditions. People who own cars and smoke deal with carbon monoxide every day. In addition, it is contained in the air. However, its concentration is significantly higher during various emergency situations. The permissible content of carbon monoxide is considered to be 33 mg/m3 (maximum value), the lethal dose is 1.8%. As the concentration of a substance in the air increases, symptoms of hypoxia develop, that is, lack of oxygen.

Causes of carbon monoxide poisoning

The main cause of poisoning is considered to be the harmful effects of carbon monoxide on the human body. This occurs if the concentration of this compound in the atmosphere is higher than the permissible limit. What causes carbon monoxide levels to increase? There are several factors that cause the formation of carbon monoxide:

Fires in confined spaces. It is a known fact that most often death in fires occurs not due to direct exposure to fire (burns), but due to hypoxia. The low supply of oxygen to the body is due to the increased amount of carbon monoxide in the air.
Stay in specialized institutions (factories, laboratories) where carbon monoxide is used. This substance is necessary to synthesize various chemical compounds. Among them are acetone, alcohol, phenol.
Failure to comply with the rules for operating gas equipment. This includes running water heaters and stoves.
Malfunction of stove heating. High concentrations of carbon monoxide are often observed due to poor draft in ventilation ducts and chimneys.
Staying with cars for a long time in an unventilated garage or box.
Tobacco smoking, especially hookah.

In the situations listed above, you should constantly pay attention to changes in well-being. If there are signs of illness, you need to seek help. If possible, it is worth purchasing a carbon monoxide detector. It is most needed in poorly ventilated areas.

Effects of carbon monoxide on the body

Why is carbon monoxide dangerous for the body? This is due to the mechanism of its effect on tissue. The main effect of carbon monoxide on the human body is to block the delivery of oxygen to cells. As is known, the hemoglobin protein contained in red blood cells is involved in this process. Under the influence of carbon monoxide, oxygen transport to tissues is disrupted. This occurs as a result of protein binding and the formation of a compound such as carboxyhemoglobin. The consequence of such changes is the development of hemic hypoxia. That is, the cause of oxygen starvation is considered to be damage to red blood cells. In addition, there is another harmful effect of carbon monoxide on the human body. It has a detrimental effect on muscle tissue. This occurs due to the binding of carbon monoxide to myoglobin. As a result, there are disturbances in the functioning of the heart and skeletal muscles. Severe consequences of hypoxia of the brain and other organs can lead to death. Most often, violations occur during acute poisoning. But chronic intoxication cannot be ruled out.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

The main damaging effects of carbon monoxide are directed towards tissue of the brain, heart and skeletal muscles. Damage to the central nervous system is characterized by the occurrence of the following symptoms: headache, nausea, decreased hearing and vision, tinnitus, impaired consciousness and coordination of movements. In severe cases, a coma and convulsive syndrome may develop. Changes in the cardiovascular system include the occurrence of tachycardia and chest pain. There is also a decrease in muscle tone and weakness. The patient has difficulty breathing and tachypnea is noted. The skin and mucous membranes are hyperemic.

In some cases, atypical clinical forms of poisoning occur. These include symptoms such as fainting and euphoria. In the first case, short-term loss of consciousness, decreased blood pressure, and pale skin are observed. The euphoric form is characterized by psychomotor agitation, the development of hallucinations, and delusional ideas.

Diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide can only be treated if such a condition is diagnosed in time. After all, symptoms of hypoxia are observed in various diseases. You should pay attention to the patient’s living conditions and place of work. If the house has stove heating, you need to find out how often the room is ventilated. If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, a blood gas test should be performed. With moderate severity, the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin ranges from 20 to 50%. In addition, there is an increase in carbon dioxide levels. Oxygen concentration decreases. In severe poisoning, carboxyhemoglobin is more than 50%. In addition to oximetry, a general and biochemical blood test is performed. To diagnose complications, ECG, electroencephalography, and Dopplerography of the vessels of the heart and brain are performed.

Consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning

The severity of the patient's condition with carbon monoxide poisoning is due to hypoxia. The higher the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air, the worse the prognosis of the disease. In addition, how long a person was in contact with the toxic substance matters. The consequences of hypoxia of organs and tissues can lead to complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, acute respiratory and heart failure. With severe intoxication, biochemical disturbances of the acid-base balance are observed. They consist in the development of metabolic acidosis. If the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air is more than 1.8%, a person can die within the first minutes of being indoors. To prevent the development of severe hypoxia, you should consult a doctor as early as possible.

First aid for gas poisoning

What is emergency care for carbon monoxide poisoning? Not only doctors, but also people at risk (constantly in contact with carbon monoxide) should know the answer to this question. First of all, you should take the injured person out into the fresh air and ventilate the room. If the patient is unconscious, it is necessary to provide access to oxygen, remove restrictive clothing and place him on his left side. If necessary, resuscitation measures are carried out. If a person is in a situation, you should bring a cotton swab with ammonia to his nose and rub his chest to improve blood flow to the organs. The antidote to carbon monoxide is oxygen. Therefore, patients with moderate severity of intoxication should wear a special mask for several hours.

Carbon monoxide poisoning: treatment in a hospital setting

In most cases, hospitalization is indicated. The patient does not need a special regimen if he has mild carbon monoxide poisoning. Treatment in this case consists of walking in the fresh air. For moderate and severe cases, hospitalization is necessary, especially this rule applies to pregnant women, children and people suffering from heart pathologies. If complications develop, the patient is placed in the intensive care unit to monitor oxygen saturation indicators. After stabilization of the condition, specific treatment in pressure chambers, climate change, etc. are recommended.

household - what is it?

Currently, there are special sensors that respond to increased concentrations of carbon monoxide indoors. A carbon monoxide detector is a household appliance that should be installed almost anywhere. Unfortunately, this rule is rarely observed, and sensors are only available in industrial premises (laboratories, factories). It should be noted that detectors must be installed in private houses, apartments, and garages. This will help avoid life-threatening consequences.