Is it harmful to the body to be exposed to toxic gases such as formaldehyde and hydrogen sulfide for a short period of time?
Thread Content
I work in chemical research and development; during pilot and scale-up tests, I occasionally have to breathe in irritating toxic gases such as formaldehyde and hydrogen sulfide. Even with a gas mask on, I can still smell them. Is such short-term exposure harmful to the body?
None of these gases are lethal in the short term; therefore, inhaling only small amounts should not cause any serious problems for the body. It should be noted, however, that regular inhalation is also harmful.
Formaldehyde is a protoplasmic toxin that can bind to proteins. Inhaling high concentrations of formaldehyde can cause severe irritation and swelling of the respiratory tract, eye pain, headaches, and it may also lead to bronchial asthma. Direct skin contact with formaldehyde can cause dermatitis, pigmentation, and necrosis. Frequent exposure to small amounts of formaldehyde can lead to chronic poisoning, with symptoms such as mucosal congestion, skin irritation, allergic dermatitis, nail keratinization and fragility, and pain in the nail beds and fingertips. Pregnant women who are exposed to it for long periods may give birth to babies with deformities or even cause death; in men, long-term exposure can result in abnormal sperm, death of sperm cells, decreased sexual function, and in severe cases, loss of reproductive capacity. Systemic symptoms include headache, fatigue, poor appetite, palpitations, insomnia, weight loss, and autonomic nervous system disorders. Acute toxicity of hydrogen sulfide: LC50 of 618 mg/m3 (inhalation in rats). Subacute and chronic toxicity: In rabbits, inhalation of 0.01 mg/L for 2 hours per day over 3 months led to functional changes in the central nervous system, irritation of the tracheal and bronchial mucosa, and pathological changes in the cerebral cortex. Long-term exposure of mice to low concentrations of fluorosulfide results in damage to the small airways. It’s best not to work under such conditions for long periods – it’s extremely harmful to the body! ~~~
Install an exhaust gas absorption device, something like a mask that can absorb toxic gases. . . Or it may have activated carbon for adsorption. . . Pig noses or elephant-trunk-shaped masks – there are tons of poisonous things out there. . People have different physical conditions, Yang. But you should drink more milk and water, and pay attention to detoxification and protection