Intoxication with chlorinated hydrocarbons and benzene

From WikiLectures

benzene molecule
tetrachloromethane molecule
chloroform molecule
Acute manifestations of chloroform intoxication

Benzene[edit | edit source]

  • high danger → only used to a limited extent (production of benzene derivatives, pharmaceutical industry)
  • the work is under strict hygiene measures
  • source: oil, coke plants (during coke production)
  • lethal dose: 10–15 ml p.o.
  • metabolism – it is oxidized to benzepoxide (carcinogen), reacts with DNA, approx. 15 % is excreted unchanged through the lungs ; in urinephenol ((it is there even without exposure as a breakdown product of AMK), phenyl mercapturic acid, urine is collected at the end of the shift

Clinical picture of intoxication[edit | edit source]

  1. acute intoxicationneurotoxic manifestations in the foreground
  2. long-term exposurehematotoxic – effects dominate leukopenia, trombocytopenia, anemia, pancytopenia, there is an increased level of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes
    • after 10–20 years AML or CML may develop

Tetrachloromethane and chloroform[edit | edit source]

  • 50 % is metabolized by the liver, 50 % is exhaled unchanged
  • we have little data on metabolites

Acute effects[edit | edit source]

Central Nervous[edit | edit source]

  • excitation, disorientation, dizziness, drunkenness, nausea, drowsiness and even unconsciousness

Hepatotoxicity[edit | edit source]

  • dominates in oral poisoning, steatosis and necrosis occur, mainly in carbon tetrachloride
  • steatosis is caused by damage to the endoplasmic reticulum, which leads to disruption of lipid transport
  • necrosis is conditioned by the release of lysosomal enzymes by the action of free radicals
  • Thanks to cytochrome P450, CCl4 breaks down into Cl and trichloromethyl radical, then HCl a phosgene are formed – this damages
  • therefore, alcoholics are more susceptible (they have more active cytochrome P450)
  • with chloroform, damage used to be observed only at high concentrations

Nephrotoxicity[edit | edit source]

  • CCl4 damages tubule cells, glomeruli are not damaged

links[edit | edit source]

Related Articles[edit | edit source]

Source[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  • PELCLOVÁ, Daniela. Occupational diseases and intoxication. 2nd edition. Karolinum, 2006. 207 pp. ISBN 80-246-1183-X.