RESPIRATORY POISON

Respiratory poison is a substance that affects the respiratory system, causing harm or death. It can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. The symptoms of respiratory poisoning include difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, and respiratory failure.

Key points:

• Types of respiratory poisons: gases, vapors, dusts, and fumes
• Mechanism of action: irritates the respiratory tract, causes inflammation and damage to the lungs
• Symptoms: difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, respiratory failure
• Diagnosis: based on symptoms, medical history, and laboratory tests
• Treatment: supportive care, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation
• Prevention: use of personal protective equipment, ventilation systems, and safe handling of hazardous substances
• Exposure limits: set by government regulations and occupational safety standards
• Effects on the body: damage to the lungs, airways, and respiratory system
• Legal provisions: handling and disposal of hazardous substances, occupational safety and health regulations

Causes of respiratory poisoning:

• Inhalation of toxic gases or fumes
• Exposure to dusts or particles
• Absorption of toxic substances through the skin
• Ingestion of toxic substances

Effects on the body:

• Damage to the lungs and airways
• Inflammation and scarring of the respiratory tract
• Respiratory failure and death

Diagnosis and treatment:

• Based on symptoms and medical history
• Laboratory tests: blood gas analysis, lung function tests
• Supportive care: oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation
• Prevention of further exposure to the toxic substance

Legal provisions:

• Handling and disposal of hazardous substances
• Occupational safety and health regulations
• Exposure limits set by government regulations
• Personal protective equipment and ventilation systems required in workplaces

Forensic significance:

• Identification of the toxic substance
• Determination of the cause and manner of death
• Investigation of occupational and environmental factors
• Collection and analysis of evidence

Respiratory Poison

Definition

A respiratory poison is a substance that affects the respiratory system, causing damage to the lungs or airways.

Types of Respiratory Poison

1. Carbon Monoxide

• A colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas
• Produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
• Causes tissue asphyxiation by binding to hemoglobin
• Symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and loss of consciousness
• Fatal dose: 1,200-1,800 ppm for 30 minutes

2. Carbon Dioxide

• A colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas
• Produced by metabolic processes in the body
• Causes respiratory acidosis by displacing oxygen in the blood
• Symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and loss of consciousness
• Fatal dose: 70,000-80,000 ppm for 1 hour

3. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

• A colorless, flammable, and toxic gas
• Produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen
• Causes respiratory failure by inhibiting the activity of cytochrome c oxidase
• Symptoms: eye irritation, respiratory distress, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness
• Fatal dose: 100-1,000 ppm for 1-2 hours

4. Methane (CH4)

• A colorless, odorless, and flammable gas
• Produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen
• Causes asphyxiation by displacing oxygen in the air
• Symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness
• Fatal dose: 100,000-200,000 ppm for 1 hour

5. War Gases

5.1. Tear Gases

• Chloroacetophenone: causes irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
• Bromobenzyl cyanide: causes irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
• Ethyl iodoacetate: causes irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
• Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile: causes irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
• Dibenzoxazepine: causes irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract

5.2. Choking Gases

• Chlorine: causes inflammation of the respiratory tract and lungs
• Phosgene: causes inflammation of the lungs and respiratory tract
• Diphosgene: causes inflammation of the lungs and respiratory tract
• Chloropicrin: causes irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract

5.3. Blister Gases

• Mustard gas: causes blistering of the skin and mucous membranes
• Lewisite: causes blistering of the skin and mucous membranes

5.4. Vomiting Gases

• Diphenyl chlorarsine: causes irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
• Diphenylamine chlorarsine: causes irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
• Diphenyl cyanarsine: causes irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract

5.5. Blood Gases

• Carbon monoxide: causes tissue asphyxiation by binding to hemoglobin
• Hydrocyanic acid: causes respiratory failure by inhibiting the activity of cytochrome c oxidase
• Hydrogen sulphide: causes respiratory failure by inhibiting the activity of cytochrome c oxidase
• Cyanogen chloride: causes respiratory failure by inhibiting the activity of cytochrome c oxidase

5.6. Nerve Gases

• Sarin: causes respiratory failure by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase
• Cyclosarin: causes respiratory failure by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase
• VX: causes respiratory failure by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase
• Soman: causes respiratory failure by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase
• Tabun: causes respiratory failure by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase