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Professional paper

Household Gas Poisonings

Ivana Maloča
Jelena Macan
Rajka Turk
Veda Marija Varnai


Full text: croatian pdf 89 Kb

page 469-475

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Abstract

Exposure to toxic gases which can induce serious health effects, can occur in the working as well as in general environment, including home. The severity of gas poisoning is determined by its physical and chemical characteristics, intensity and duration of exposure, and concomitant diseases and injuries in the poisoned person. Manifestations of gas toxic action involve simple asphyxia, local irritation of respiratory mucosa, systemic toxicity, and a combination of these mechanisms. This article describes the characteristics, modes of exposure and health effects of most common gases causing poisoning at home. These include gas fuels, carbon monoxide, ammonia, chlorine, and fire gases such as nitrogen and sulphur oxides, hydrogen cyanide and phosgene. First aid as well as preventive measures to avoid exposure to toxic gases and prevent fire at home are also given. The Croatian Poison Control Centre gathered data on toxic gas exposures in households between November 2005 and July 2006. During this period 30 persons (3 % of the total number of cases) were exposed to toxic gases at home, including carbon monoxide, irritating vapours from cleaning agents and disinfectants, gas fuels, septic tank gases, tear-gas, and chlorofluorocarbons from refrigerators.

Keywords

gas; health effects; household; Poison Control Centre; poisoning; preventive measures; toxic gases

Hrčak ID:

6094

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/6094

Publication date:

13.12.2006.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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