An Introduction To The Health Effects of Solvents

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

ClLiver necrosis – fat accumulation


Methanol

CH

H

H

OH

Methyl Alcohol


Ethanol

Ethyl Alcohol

CH

H

H

OHC

H

H


n-Hexane

CH

H

H

H

C

H

H

C

H

H

C

H

H

C

H

H

C

H

H


Ethyl Ether

CH

H

H

H

C

H

H

O C

H

H

C

H

H


Carbon Disulfide (CS2)

C

S

S


Chloroform (CHCl3)

CH

Cl

Cl

ClAn early anesthetic agent.Caused liver damage.


Quote / History

Have you every inhaled too much of a

solvent?


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 cyclopropane1956 – discovery of halothane in England

Historical Events - Anesthetics


First Operation with EtherRobert Hinckley's (1880’s)

"The First Operation with Ether"


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

Historical Awareness


• Cyclopropane• Enflurane• Halothane• Methoxyflurane• Diethy ether

Anesthetic Agents


Products – Mostly Solvents

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


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


Exposure

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


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

SubtleImpaired performance, depression, apathy, fatigue,

Acute Adverse Effects


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

intellectual ability Mood – depression, apathy, irritability,

depression

CNS Effects


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

SubtleImpaired performance, impaired memory, depression, reduced intellectual ability

Chronic Adverse Effects


• 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


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.


Authorship Information

For Additional Information ContactSteven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT

E-mail: [email protected]: www.asmalldoseof.org

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

Date post:	23-Feb-2016
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An Introduction To The Health Effects of Solvents

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