Health Hazards of Organic (mostly) Vapors a review of the toxicities of vapors from substances that are liquids under normal conditions of use

Introduction Used as solvents, fuels, chemical intermediates, etc.==> 1000’s of substances Used as solvents, fuels, chemical intermediates, etc.==> 1000’s of substances Aliphatic & alicyclic hydrocarbons Aliphatic & alicyclic hydrocarbons Aromatic hydrocarbons Aromatic hydrocarbons Halogenated hydrocarbons Halogenated hydrocarbons Oxygenated hydrocarbons Oxygenated hydrocarbons Nitrogen-containing compounds Nitrogen-containing compounds Miscellaneous Miscellaneous

Aliphatic/Cyclic Aliphatic Hydrocarbons Aliphatic/cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons are further classified as: Aliphatic/cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons are further classified as: Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, arenes, cycloalkanes, cycloalkenes Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, arenes, cycloalkanes, cycloalkenes Relatively high exposure levels Relatively high exposure levels Primary health hazard = dermatitis Primary health hazard = dermatitis Primary physical hazard = fire & explosion Primary physical hazard = fire & explosion Examples: propane, isobutane, cyclohexane Examples: propane, isobutane, cyclohexane

Aromatic Hydrocarbons “Pleasant Odor” “Pleasant Odor” Aromatics used in gasoline to increase octane rating Aromatics used in gasoline to increase octane rating Examples include: toluene, xylenes, ethyl benzene, styrene, benzene Examples include: toluene, xylenes, ethyl benzene, styrene, benzene Benzene Benzene Notorious for its ability to damage blood- forming systems ==>blood diseases Notorious for its ability to damage blood- forming systems ==>blood diseases Symptoms: dyspnea, anemia, rapid HR, low BP, weakness, leukemia, death Symptoms: dyspnea, anemia, rapid HR, low BP, weakness, leukemia, death

Halogenated Hydrocarbons Consist of five elements: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine Consist of five elements: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine Do not occur naturally; expensive Do not occur naturally; expensive Symptoms include: narcosis, liver/kidney damage, increased HR, dermatitis Symptoms include: narcosis, liver/kidney damage, increased HR, dermatitis Examples: carbon tetrachloride, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methyl chloride*, refrigerants Examples: carbon tetrachloride, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methyl chloride*, refrigerants

Oxygenated Hydrocarbons Aliphatic alcohols Aliphatic alcohols Cyclic & aromatic alcohols Cyclic & aromatic alcohols Ethers Ethers Aldehydes Aldehydes Ketones Ketones Acids Acids Esters Esters

Aliphatic Alcohols All are narcotic All are narcotic Examples: Examples: Methanol - toxic to optic nerve; others are primarily narcotics Methanol - toxic to optic nerve; others are primarily narcotics Ethanol - toxicity relatively low; have additives to produce “denatured” alcohols Ethanol - toxicity relatively low; have additives to produce “denatured” alcohols

Cyclic & Aromatic Alcohols Most are similar to aliphatic alcohols of similar molecular weight Most are similar to aliphatic alcohols of similar molecular weight Examples: Examples: Benzyl alcohol Benzyl alcohol Phenol - Acts on CNS. Overexposure can lead to collapse and death and respiratory paralysis. There have been reported episodes of fatal exposure to phenol. Phenol - Acts on CNS. Overexposure can lead to collapse and death and respiratory paralysis. There have been reported episodes of fatal exposure to phenol.

Ethers All narcotic, irritant in high concentrations All narcotic, irritant in high concentrations Fire/explosion hazard from peroxides Fire/explosion hazard from peroxides Examples Examples Ethyl ether Ethyl ether Diisopropyl ether –rapid forming peroxides Diisopropyl ether –rapid forming peroxides Unique hazards of chloromethyl ethers Unique hazards of chloromethyl ethers Carcinogenic in several species Carcinogenic in several species

Aldehydes Known for skin and mucosal irritation and CNS effects. Also sensitizing properties. Known for skin and mucosal irritation and CNS effects. Also sensitizing properties. Examples: Examples: Formaldehyde – Sensitizer; potential carcinogen Formaldehyde – Sensitizer; potential carcinogen Acetaldehyde –Eyes, nose and throat irritant; CNS depressant, kidney and reproductive effects; potential carcinogen Acetaldehyde –Eyes, nose and throat irritant; CNS depressant, kidney and reproductive effects; potential carcinogen

Ketones Narcotic type actions; irritant to eyes, nose, throat Narcotic type actions; irritant to eyes, nose, throat Examples: Examples: Acetone Acetone Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) Generally, ketones are pleasantly aromatics and have been used in perfumes, etc. Generally, ketones are pleasantly aromatics and have been used in perfumes, etc.

Acids and Esters Acids Acids Acids are highly soluble irritants Acids are highly soluble irritants Formic acid one of most severe irritants Formic acid one of most severe irritants Breathing difficulty, skin burns, nausea, dermatitis, etc. Breathing difficulty, skin burns, nausea, dermatitis, etc. Esters Esters Most commonly, narcotics and irritants Most commonly, narcotics and irritants Example: ethyl acetate Example: ethyl acetate

Nitrogen-Containing Compounds Nitro aliphatics Nitro aliphatics Halo-nitro compounds Halo-nitro compounds Aliphatic nitrates Aliphatic nitrates Aromatic nitro- compounds Aromatic nitro- compounds Amines Amines Amides Amides Pyridine & derivatives Pyridine & derivatives Hydrazines Hydrazines

Nitro Aliphatic Compounds Nitromethane - mild irritant & narcotic; some liver/kidney damage Nitromethane - mild irritant & narcotic; some liver/kidney damage Nitropropane, produce methemoglobin Nitropropane, produce methemoglobin Tetranitro methane - explosive Tetranitro methane - explosive Chloropicrin - lachrimator; respiratory & skin irritant; used as war gas Chloropicrin - lachrimator; respiratory & skin irritant; used as war gas

Aliphatic Nitrates All are explosive (primary use) All are explosive (primary use) Dilate blood vessels ==> drop in BP with severe headache (relieved with caffeine) Dilate blood vessels ==> drop in BP with severe headache (relieved with caffeine) Produce methemoglobin Produce methemoglobin Readily absorbed through skin Readily absorbed through skin Nitroglycerin, ethylene glycol dinitrate are most common examples Nitroglycerin, ethylene glycol dinitrate are most common examples

Aromatic Nitro Compounds Nitrobenzene - explosive; MeHb producer; cyanosis most frequent sign Nitrobenzene - explosive; MeHb producer; cyanosis most frequent sign Trinitro toluene - hepatitis; anemia; enzyme deficiency; fatal outcomes reported Trinitro toluene - hepatitis; anemia; enzyme deficiency; fatal outcomes reported Nitrophenols - increase basal metabolism; past use in treatment of obesity but cataracts, liver/kidney damage; death Nitrophenols - increase basal metabolism; past use in treatment of obesity but cataracts, liver/kidney damage; death

Amines Aromatic amines Aromatic amines Example: aniline Example: aniline absorbed through skin; produce MeHb, etc. absorbed through skin; produce MeHb, etc. Polyamines Polyamines Very irritating; sensitizers Very irritating; sensitizers Alkanol amines Alkanol amines CNS stimulant; blood pressure effects; irritant (good warning) CNS stimulant; blood pressure effects; irritant (good warning)

Amides Dimethyl formamide Dimethyl formamide Excellent solvent; fire & explosion problems; may cause liver and kidney problems; foul odor Excellent solvent; fire & explosion problems; may cause liver and kidney problems; foul odor Acrylamide Acrylamide Evidence of neurotoxicity with paralysis of “hind quarters”; absorbed by inhalation and skin; no warning; cancer suspect Evidence of neurotoxicity with paralysis of “hind quarters”; absorbed by inhalation and skin; no warning; cancer suspect

Pyridine and Hydrazines Pyridine Pyridine Can be absorbed through the skin; strong “fish” odor, targets CNS, liver, kidneys, GI tract Can be absorbed through the skin; strong “fish” odor, targets CNS, liver, kidneys, GI tract Hydrazine Hydrazine Used as rocket fuel; CNS stimulant; convulsions; absorbed through skin Used as rocket fuel; CNS stimulant; convulsions; absorbed through skin