A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 An Introduction To The Health Effects of Solvents A Small Dose...

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04

An Introduction To The Health Effects of

Solvents

A Small Dose of ™ Solvent

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)

C Cl

Cl

Cl

Cl

Liver necrosis – fat accumulation

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Methanol

CH

H

H

OH

Methyl Alcohol

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Ethanol

Ethyl Alcohol

CH

H

H

OHC

H

H

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

n-Hexane

CH

H

H

H

C

H

H

C

H

H

C

H

H

C

H

H

C

H

H

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Ethyl Ether

CH

H

H

H

C

H

H

O C

H

H

C

H

H

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Carbon Disulfide (CS2)

C

S

S

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Chloroform (CHCl3)

CH

Cl

Cl

Cl

An early anesthetic agent.Caused liver damage.

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Quote / History

Have you every inhaled too much of a

solvent?

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

1275 - Ether discovered by Spanish chemist Raymundus Lullius and called “sweet vitriol”

1500s - Paracelsus experimented (enjoyed?) with the effects of ether

1842 – First used in surgery by Crawford Williamson Long, MD, of Jefferson, Georgia, U.S.

1846 - Dr. William T.G. Morton a dentist, anaesthetized a patient for surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital

1929 – discovery of cyclopropane

1956 – discovery of halothane in England

Historical Events - Anesthetics

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

First Operation with Ether

Robert Hinckley's (1880’s)"The First Operation with Ether"

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Chloroform – one of the earliest anesthetic agents – discontinued early 1900’s because of liver toxicity

Historical Awareness

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

• Cyclopropane

• Enflurane

• Halothane

• Methoxyflurane

• Diethy ether

Anesthetic Agents

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Products – Mostly Solvents

• Gasoline• Diesel Fuel• Charcoal lighter fluid• Lantern fuel• Grease• Lubricating oils• Degreasing agents• Paint stripers• Paint thinner• Turpentine• Nail polish remover

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Products – Partly Solvents

• Glues• Adhesives• Oil based paints• Furniture polishes• Floor polishes and waxes• Spot removers• Metal and wood cleaners• White out• Computer disk cleaner• Varnishes and shellacs• Wood and concrete stains

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Exposure

Lungs – Quick to brain Skin – Slow, irritant Oral – e.g. alcohol

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Obvious (high exposure)Death, loss of consciousness, paralysis, convulsion, disorientation, euphoria, giddiness, confusion.

SubtleImpaired performance, depression, apathy, fatigue,

Acute Adverse Effects

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Motor – fatigue, tremor, incoordination Sensory – visual, auditory Cognitive – short and long term memory,

intellectual ability Mood – depression, apathy, irritability,

depression

CNS Effects

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

ObviousCancer, reproductive effects, liver and kidney damage, developmental effects, visual system damage

SubtleImpaired performance, impaired memory, depression, reduced intellectual ability

Chronic Adverse Effects

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

• TLV – Threshold Limit Value

• STEL – Short Term Exposure Limits (15 minute exposure)

• TWA – Time Waited Average (acceptable for 8 hr day, 40 hr week)

• TLV-C – Threshold Limit Value-C (ceiling not to be exceeded)

Regulatory Status

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

A Small Dose of ™ Solvent

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Additional Information

Web Sites• United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime

Prevention (UN ODCCP) – Access: http://www.undcp.org/odccp/index.html

• U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) – Access: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/solvents/index.html

This site has extensive information on solvents in the workplace.

A Small Dose of Solvent – 03/17/04 A Small Dose of Toxicology

Authorship Information

For Additional Information ContactSteven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT

E-mail: smdose@asmalldoseof.orgWeb: www.asmalldoseof.org

This presentation is supplement to “A Small Dose of Toxicology”