Dangers lurk at every step, except for the gases used by man in many areas of activity. Gas poisoning is detrimental to humans in most cases, antidotes for many species have not yet been invented or found. It is easier to prevent asphyxiating gas poisoning than to save a person after.
Chlorine
One of the most dangerous gases is chlorine, it is not only suffocating, but also irritating. This substance burns the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, which makes breathing difficult. The gas itself looks like a fog of yellow-green color, which looks strange from the outside. During the Second World War, it was used as a weapon against soldiers in the trenches, because it spreads along the ground. In addition, in an anhydrous environment, the gas does not cause corrosion, at the slightest moisture content it becomes extremely aggressive and corrosive.
Protection against this gas exists - a gas mask. Only such devices can protect against poisoning with suffocating chlorine. Other things, like respirators, albeit with filters, are not able to protect a person completely from any gas. Charcoal filters delayonly part of the toxic substances. When working with concentrated chlorine, it is recommended to use full chemical protection.
Carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide
This gas is familiar to everyone and everyone, it is released during the combustion of substances that include carbon. Encountering it is quite simple: a car exhaust, an open hot spiral on heaters with a lot of dust, an open fire. The substance belongs to asphyxiant gases, all because of the special interaction with human blood.
As you know, erythrocytes in human blood carry oxygen through the vessels to the cells, and carbon dioxide from them. The formulas for carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are similar, but not identical, it's all about the extra oxygen atom. Because of this feature, carbon monoxide adheres to red blood cells much more firmly and displaces carbon dioxide. It is very easy to get poisoned with CO2, if it did not come to a fatal outcome, then getting rid of the symptoms is simple: just breathe fresh air. In case of severe poisoning, you need to breathe already concentrated oxygen. The main symptom of poisoning can be called suffocation, it is because of it that most people die in a fire, even before they get burned. Carbon monoxide can cause death not only in fires, but also in poorly ventilated areas.
Nitrogen
Gas is quite common, because approximately 70% of the air consists of it. It has no taste, smell or color. But nevertheless, poisoning with this substance is quite simple. Intentionally inhale or ingestconcentrated nitrogen is pure suicide.
The negative impact on the human body is as follows:
- The defeat of the CNR. Molecules of asphyxiating gas get into neural connections and nerve cells, thereby disrupting their work. These disorders lead to a malfunction of the brain activity, improper functioning of the heart and lungs.
- Dissolution in human adipose tissue. This process causes severe intoxication of the whole organism.
All these processes are only part of the overall effect on the body, they appear for 10 minutes, which allows you to quickly navigate and help the victim.
Community gas
People encounter it every day when cooking or heating. Household gas is divided into two types: bottled and main. Methane belongs to the main line, it is lighter than air. It is customary to refer propane and butane to bottled gases, they are heavier than air, therefore they settle to the ground. All these varieties are colorless, odorless and tasteless, and in order to ensure that the substance leaks, additional compounds are added that give an unpleasant odor.
Sulphurous anhydride
This gas is several times heavier than air, settles to the ground and at a temperature below 10 degrees it turns into a liquid state. Sulfur dioxide is quite dangerous and, when consumed, causes malfunctions in the respiratory system. It is a gas with a pungent odor, easy to identify, and stinks of sulfur.
Phosgene
During the First World War, phosgene played a sadrole. It served as a chemical weapon: in the form of an asphyxiant gas, it was used against ordinary soldiers. At that time, normal chemical protection did not yet exist, and the education of many soldiers was not enough to withstand the danger. The gas has a strong and pungent odor that affects the respiratory systems of humans and animals. It is when this substance is inhaled that the mucous membrane burns. It is a gas with a suffocating odor that waters the eyes.
Phosgene can be found even now in the form of poison for moles and other small rodents that annoy summer residents. It is not recommended to poison moles with this substance, their holes can be connected to basements, in connection with which people may suffer. In small concentrations, it is not dangerous.
Among the reactions that produce phosgene, the most unexpected and dangerous on the operating table. Gas can be formed during chloroform anesthesia from compounds of anesthetic substances and oxygen from the air. In such a situation, doctors will be forced to undergo surgery and provide first aid to the person.
In order to avoid severe gas poisoning, which is fraught with death, it is recommended to use chemical protection and observe all safety requirements when working with asphyxiating gases. In case of poisoning, immediately take the person to fresh air and call an ambulance. Some types of poisoning are not very dangerous, but you should not abuse the rules, the consequences are fatal for the body.
