In the most sever forms, there is massive generalized edema with partial obstruction of the trachea due to swelling of the tongue, requiring hospitalization. Exfoliation usually occurs after edema subsides.

The majority of these effects occur between the 10th and 20th days of exposure. Upon cessation of exposure, there is rapid abatement of mild symptoms and after 3 to 10 days, disappearance of physical signs.

Move victims of inhalation exposure from the toxic environment and administer 100% humidified supplemental oxygen with assisted ventilation as required. Exposed skin and eyes should be copiously flushed with water. Ingestion may result in significant esophageal or gastrointestinal tract irritation or burns, and EMESIS SHOULD NOT BE INDUCED. Cautious gastric lavage followed by administration of activated charcoal may be of benefit if the patient is seen soon after the exposure.

INHALATION: Move patient to fresh air. Monitor for respiratory distress. If cough or difficulty breathing develops, evaluate for respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, or pneumonitis. Administer oxygen and assist ventilation as required. Treat bronchospasm with an inhaled beta2-adrenergic agonist. Consider systemic corticosteroids in patients with significant bronchospasm.

DECONTAMINATION: Remove contaminated clothing and jewelry and place them in plastic bags. Wash exposed areas with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes with gentle sponging to avoid skin breakdown. A physician may need to examine the area if irritation or pain persists (Burgess et al, 1999).

DECONTAMINATION: Remove contact lenses and irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of room temperature 0.9% saline or water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist after 15 minutes of irrigation, the patient should be seen in a healthcare facility.

Because of the potential for significant esophageal or digestive tract irritation or burns, do not induce emesis.

Significant esophageal or gastrointestinal tract irritation or burns may occur following ingestion. The possible benefit of early removal of some ingested material by cautious gastric lavage must be weighed against potential complications of bleeding or perforation.

GASTRIC LAVAGE: Consider after ingestion of a potentially life-threatening amount of poison if it can be performed soon after ingestion (generally within 1 hour). Protect airway by placement in the head down left lateral decubitus position or by endotracheal intubation. Control any seizures first.

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: Administer charcoal as a slurry (240 mL water/30 g charcoal). Usual dose: 25 to 100 g in adults/adolescents, 25 to 50 g in children (1 to 12 years), and 1 g/kg in infants less than 1 year old.

Observe patients with ingestion carefully for the possible development of esophageal or gastrointestinal tract irritation or burns. If signs or symptoms of esophageal irritation or burns are present, consider endoscopy to determine the extent of injury.

METHEMOGLOBINEMIA -

Category 3B : Substances for which in vitro or animal studies have yielded evidence of carcinogenic effects that is not sufficient for classification of the substance in one of the other categories. Further studies are required before a final decision can be made. A MAK value can be established provided no genotoxic effects have been detected. (Footnote: In the past, when a substance was classified as Category 3 it was given a MAK value provided that it had no detectable genotoxic effects. When all such substances have been examined for whether or not they may be classified in Category 4, this sentence may be omitted.)

Adopted Value

TWA: 1.5 mg/m(3)

STEL:

Ceiling:

Carcinogen Listing: (Not Listed) Not Listed

Skin Designation: [skin]

Note(s):

IDLH: 750 mg/m3

Note(s): Not Listed

8-hour TWA:

MEXICO:

ARGENTINA:

BRAZIL:

COLUMBIA:

CANADA:

UNITED STATES:

TEEL-0: The threshold concentration below which most people will experience no adverse health effects.

TEEL-1: The airborne concentration (expressed as ppm [parts per million] or mg/m(3) [milligrams per cubic meter]) of a substance above which it is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, could experience notable discomfort, irritation, or certain asymptomatic, nonsensory effects. However, these effects are not disabling and are transient and reversible upon cessation of exposure.

TEEL-2: The airborne concentration (expressed as ppm or mg/m(3)) of a substance above which it is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, could experience irreversible or other serious, long-lasting, adverse health effects or an impaired ability to escape.

TEEL-3: The airborne concentration (expressed as ppm or mg/m(3)) of a substance above which it is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, could experience life-threatening adverse health effects or death.

>10% in acetone

>10% in benzene