Instruction on hydrofluoric acid and cyanides. Simone Gevers / Christel Renders Achmea Vitale / MiPlaza ESH

Transcription

1 Instruction on hydrofluoric acid and cyanides Simone Gevers / Christel Renders Achmea Vitale / MiPlaza ESH February 2009

2 Hydrofluoric acid (HF) Appearance Toxicology Safety measures Exposure route Effects from poisoning First Aid measures 2

3 Appearance HF Liquid Clear solution Resembles water A dangerous concentration of HF in air is reached very quickly through evaporation at 20 C! Gas Higher density than air Upon release: immediate danger!! 3

4 Toxicology HF Highly toxic Corrosive Odor threshold: 0.25 mg/m 3 Legal Limit HF: 1 mg/m 3 TGG 15 min. 4

5 Safety measures HF Before you start working: If possible, replace HF with a less dangerous substance RWV /01: Protocol ongevallen met fluorwaterstof (HF) (English version not yet available) Material Safety Data Sheet Check availability medication and expiration date During work: Prevent exposure: work under a fume hood Use personal protective equipment: safety glasses, nitril gloves In case of emergency: Use medication 5

6 Exposure route HF Inclusion in the body stomach lungs skin 6

7 Effects from HF poisoning Inhalation Stinging, sore throat, coughing, laboured breathing Skin exposure Stinging, redness, pain, severe burns, penetrates to the bone, without immediate pain! Eye exposure Stinging, redness, pain, poor eyesight Ingestion Stinging, sore throat, stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea, etching of mouth/throat, esophagus and stomach, shortness of breath through swelling upper airways 7

8 Effects from HF poisoning Severity of effect depends on concentration and length exposure Severity varies from mild irritation to... necrosis and burns 8

9 First Aid HF General measures: Check for danger to yourself! Give First Aid Alert security (44444) to arrange transport to the hospital (victim always goes to hospital, even when there are no complaints!) HF-kit from security lodge goes with victim to hospital Report incident to management and VM&B 9

10 First Aid HF Skin exposure: Remember to check for danger: wear gloves! Remove contaminated clothing Irrigate with water Apply calcium gluconate hydro gel Eye exposure: Remember to check for danger: wear gloves! Irrigate with copious amounts of water 10

11 First Aid HF Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air Give Calcium gluconate 4% to drink Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water Give 200 ml Calcium gluconate 4% to drink (if not available: milk or water) Do not induce vomiting! 11

12 Questions about HF? 12

13 Cyanides Appearance Toxicology Safety measures Exposure route Effects from poisoning First Aid measures 13

14 Appearance cyanides Solid White solid Sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide Reacts with acids to Prussic acid (e.g. H 2 SO 4 + NaCN HSO 4- (aq) + Na + (aq) + HCN (g) Gas/vapour Approximately same density as air Prussic acid gas (HCN) Upon release: immediate danger!! 14

15 Toxicology cyanides Corrosive Very toxic Dangerous for the environment Legal Limit cyanides (incl. HCN): 1 mg/m 3 8 hr TWA skin notation 10 mg/m 3 15 min TWA skin notation HCN typical almond smell (odor threshold mg/m 3 ; not everyone can smell it) Immediately fatal 300 mg/m 3! 15

16 Safety measures cyanides Collective measures: Replace cyanide with less hazardous substance Material Safety Data Sheet Seperate area or room Access for authorized personnel only Eating/ drinking prohibited Exhaust/ventilation Instruction 16

17 Safety measures cyanides Individual measures: Open packaging under exhaust Use personal protective equipment: gloves (butyl rubber, PVC), safety glasses Hygiene (wash hands regularly) Use of cyanides for authorized personnel only! 17

18 Exposure route cyanides Inhalation Prussic acid gas or powder/dust Skin exposure Prussic acid as gas or in solution or cyanide salts in solution Ingestion Cyanides in combination with hydrochloric acid from stomach HCN Inclusion of cyanides in bowels 18

19 Cyanide poisoning on cell level Cyanide adheres irreversibly to cell enzyme of respiratory system cell Iron cytochrome oxydase Consequence: oxygen use by cell is blocked Result: internal asphyxiation 19

20 Case Accident with Potassium cyanide-solution and acid: in a watery cyanide solution (containing 65 gram KCN) 30 ml 98% H 2 SO 4 is spilled. Room has a content of 75 m 3 1 mole HCN is formed => 27 gr HCN Concentration without ventilation = 360 mg/m 3 lethal 20

21 Effects cyanide poisoning Inhalation: Headache Dizziness Weakness Laboured breathing Sinking feeling in chest Pain behind sternum Cramps At first red colour, followed by blue lips and nails Disruptions in vital signs 21

22 Effects cyanide poisoning Skin: Redness Other effects like for inhalation Eyes: Redness Pain Troubled eyesight 22

23 Effects cyanide poisoning Ingestion: Irritation Blue skin Diarrhea Sore throat Vomiting Loss of consciousness Other effects like for inhalation 23

24 First aid cyanide by first aider General: Remember to check for danger! Use rescue mask and gloves, monitor concentration HCN Remove victim from contaminated room When necessary, remove contaminated clothing and rinse continuously Alert security (44444) for ambulance Provide information about poisoning to hospital Report incident to group leader and VM&B (ESHdepartment) 24

25 Victim is: Conscious First aid cyanide by first aider Remember to check for danger! Half sitting pose Unconscious and still breathing Remember to check for danger! Lateral recumbent position (recovery position) Unconscious and not breathing Remember to check for danger! CPR Administer oxygen Administer oxygen Administer oxygen Rinse mouth (when ingested) Do not give rescue breathing! 25

26 First aid cyanide by first aider Administer oxygen: Oxygen 100 % met hose and mouthpiece (sufficient for 40 minutes) Open valve completely, 5 liters/minute Cover mouth and nose of victim with mouthpiece 26

27 First aid cyanide by doctor or nurse 2 ampoules 4-DMAP ( ampoule of 5 ml DMAP 50 mg/ml) 100 ml 25 % Sodium thiosulfate Syringe 50 ml and 5 ml including neadles Disinfectant (Sterilon) 27

28