China 
Africa 
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Gases and vapours
Published in Sue Reed, Dino Pisaniello, Geza Benke, Principles of Occupational Health & Hygiene, 2020
Asphyxiant gases fall into two groups: simple asphyxiants, a vapour or a gas that can cause unconsciousness or death by suffocation (lack of oxygen). Most simple asphyxiants are harmful to the body only when they become so concentrated that they reduce oxygen in the air (normally 21 per cent) to dangerous levels (18 per cent and under). Asphyxiation is one of the principle potential hazards of working in confined spaces.chemical asphyxiants, which interfere with the body’s ability to take up and transport oxygen; they include exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide or hydrogen cyanide.
Chemical Terrorist Agents
Published in Robert A. Burke, Counter-Terrorism for Emergency Responders, 2017
Less than 1 μ particles are deposited in the alveolar region by diffusion and Brownian motion. In general, most particles 5–10 μ diameter are removed. However, certain small inorganic particles settle into smaller regions of the lung and kill the cells which attempt to remove them. The result is fibrous lesions of the lung. Many chemicals used or produced in industry can produce acute or chronic diseases of the respiratory tract when they are inhaled. The toxicants can be classified according to how they affect the respiratory tract. Asphyxiants: gases that deprive the body tissues of oxygen.Simple asphyxiants are physiologically inert gases that at high concentrations displace air leading to suffocation.Chemical asphyxiants are gases that prevent the tissues from getting enough oxygen.
Occupational respiratory diseases
Published in Chris Winder, Neill Stacey, Occupational Toxicology, 2004
A significant number of gases can be encountered in the workplace environment, including asphyxiants, irritants, sensitisers and toxic gases (Witschi and Last 1996). The toxic effects of gases and vapours are as follows: Asphyxiation is the ability of a gas or vapour to displace oxygen from air by dilution (simple asphyxiation) or by interfering with the ability of the body to transport oxygen (toxic asphyxiants).Irritation is the ability of a gas or vapour to cause local symptoms of irritation upon exposure or contact with the tissues of the respiratory system.Sensitisation is the ability of a gas or vapour to cause an immune response upon exposure or contact with the tissues of the respiratory system leading to respiratory sensitisation and asthma.Toxicity is the ability of a gas or a vapour to produce a toxic effect either at the site of contact (that is, the respiratory system) or following absorption and distribution to other tissues or organ systems.
Oxygen deficiency hazard in confined spaces in the steel industry: assessment through predictive models
Published in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2021
Elena Stefana, Filippo Marciano, Paola Cocca, Diana Rossi, Giuseppe Tomasoni
ODH occurs when the indoor O2 content drops to a level that may expose workers to risk of asphyxiation, with even severe and fatal adverse health effects [14]. ODH due to displacement in the air can be caused by simple asphyxiants [15]. Many simple asphyxiants are physiologically inert (e.g., Ar, helium [He], N2); others (e.g., carbon dioxide [CO2], methane [CH4], propane [C3H8]) have some physiological effects, but the most frequent significant injury happens primarily through O2 deprivation [16]. The European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA) [17] underlines that incidents involving asphyxiating atmospheres are always serious.
Confined space hazards: Plain seawater, an insidious source of hydrogen sulfide
Published in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2023
The medical term chemical asphyxia thus covers situations where there may be no scarcity of oxygen in the environment. For example, carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the red blood cells and degrades their ability to carry oxygen to vital organs (Rose et al. 2017). Hydrogen sulfide and cyanide inhibit mitochondrial respiration and oxygen consumption at the cell level, leading to cell death (Jiang et al. 2016). Even small quantities of chemical asphyxiants can create a dangerous and potentially fatal atmosphere although measured oxygen levels are normal.