Chlorine in everyday life is used for disinfection of water and washable surfaces. But this substance can be dangerous if it enters the human body in high concentrations.
Poisoning with chlorine and chlorine vapor - symptoms
There are 2 types of such poisonings: acute and chronic. In the first case there is a single hit of a high dose of chlorine in the body, in the second - a long reception of small doses.
In turn, acute poisoning can be:
- Easy.
- The average severity.
- Heavy.
- Lightning fast.
For a mild form, irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and mouth is characteristic, which passes independently 2-3 days later.
When chlorine poisoning of moderate severity, there are such symptoms:
- attacks of suffocation;
- burning in the eyes;
- lacrimation;
- chest pain;
- dry cough;
- pulmonary edema 2-4 hours after poisoning.
Symptoms of severe chlorine poisoning:
- short-term complete stop of breathing;
- recovery of shallow breathing;
- convulsions;
- loss of consciousness;
- death in 5-30 minutes.
Lightning Poisoning - Symptoms:
- stopping breathing;
- convulsions;
- swelling of veins on the neck and face;
- involuntary bowel movement and urination;
- immediate death.
With chronic poisoning with chlorine, the following signs are observed:
- dry cough;
- depressive conditions;
- respiratory diseases;
- frequent cramps.
Chronic poisoning usually occurs in people whose professional activities involve the use of this substance. This is the chemical, textile and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, you can get poisoned even when using detergents when working in the home. Especially it is necessary to pay attention to the following substances:
- bleaches;
- disinfecting solutions and powders;
- Washing tablets and liquids for dishwashers;
- means of mold.
Consequences of chlorine poisoning:
- Bronchopneumonia.
- Pneumosclerosis.
- Recurrent bronchitis.
- Activation of pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Chronic pharyngitis.
- Laryngitis.
- Tracheobronchitis.
- Tracheitis.
- Emphysema of the lungs.
- Pulmonary heart failure.
- Broncho-ectatic disease.
- Cholic acne on the skin.
- Pyoderma.
- Dermatitis.
These symptoms and diseases can occur after a long period of time after chlorine poisoning and gradually progress. Therefore, if you find the first signs, you need to check your health.
First aid for chlorine poisoning
First of all, you need to call an ambulance, indicating to the dispatcher that chlorine poisoning has occurred. Then you need to try as soon as possible to perform the following activities:
- To remove the victim to fresh air or to ensure his access by opening the windows;
- release the patient from tight clothes, especially in the area of the respiratory tract;
- provide a person a state of rest and take care that he was not cold;
- rinse the eyes, mouth and nose with a solution of baking soda (3%);
- Bury olive oil or 0.5% solution of dicaine in the eyes;
- Enter intramuscularly 125 mg hydrocortisone or 60 mg prednisolone;
- apply antibacterial eye ointment on eyelids, for example sintomycin;
- if the skin is damaged with chlorine, it is necessary to wash the affected areas with plenty of water with soap or any alcohol-alkaline solution;
- it is advisable to give the victim emetics and saline laxatives. This will help the body to quickly remove toxins;
- in cases where the patient suffers from cardiovascular diseases, a suitable heart drug should be administered.