Are you fainted by the smell in the toilet? Experts: In this case, it is toxic and "ammonia" cannot be ignored!

You must have smelled this "toxic" gas. It is ammonia, the protagonist of this issue's science article.

Speaking of ammonia, even if you don’t know much about it, you must have smelled it in these places, such as the stench of the toilet, yourself after staying up late, and crowded places.

Experts from the Hunan Provincial Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment (Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment affiliated to the University of South China) introduced that ammonia, or "ammonia gas", is a colorless gas with a strong irritating odor. It generally does not cause poisoning in daily life, but in some workplaces, ammonia gas is "extremely dangerous" because it is easily soluble in water to form alkaline ammonia water, is flammable, and can mix with air to form an explosive mixed gas. It is one of the hazardous chemicals with a higher accident rate.

1. The harm of ammonia to human body

Ammonia, as a big player in the chemical industry, is indispensable in every industry, from fertilizers to synthetic fibers, from medicines to plastics, but its danger should not be underestimated.

1. Fire and explosion

Ammonia is flammable and explosive. If liquid ammonia leaks, there is a risk of fire and explosion when exposed to open flames.

2. Poisoning and suffocation

When ammonia is released into the air during a leak, it immediately threatens the respiratory system. Inhalation of high concentrations of ammonia can cause convulsions, twitching, drowsiness, coma and other disturbances of consciousness, as well as cardiac and respiratory arrest.

3. Low temperature frostbite

During the ammonia refrigeration process, the temperature of liquefied ammonia can reach -33°C. If liquid ammonia leaks from the container or pipeline connection and splashes onto the human body or accidentally touches the skin, it will cause frostbite.

2. How to prevent "smelly" ammonia

How can workers who inevitably come into contact with ammonia or work in an ammonia-containing environment prevent dangerous ammonia?

1. Safe operation

Never use ammonia pipes as welding ground wires, and do not use iron tools to hit pipes and valve bodies to avoid sparks. When working in an ammonia-containing environment, remember to bring an ammonia detector and protective equipment to avoid becoming a "naked" target.

2. Safe storage

Store ammonia in a cool, ventilated special warehouse, away from fire and heat sources; do not put it together with "enemies" such as oxidants and acids , otherwise they will fight as soon as they meet; use explosion-proof lighting and ventilation facilities, and install lightning protection and anti-static devices.

3. Safe transportation

Vehicles transporting ammonia must have obvious dangerous goods transport signs and be equipped with satellite positioning devices; special tank trucks must be used for transportation and equipped with flame arresters and anti-static tow lines; drivers must also be careful when driving on the road to prevent it from coming into contact with open flames or allowing unrelated people to hitchhike.

3. What to do if you are poisoned by ammonia

First, leave the poisoning scene quickly and rinse the contaminated eyes and skin with plenty of water. Never cover your face with a towel, otherwise the ammonia will burn your facial skin.

Skin burns should be rinsed with 3% boric acid solution or clean water, paying special attention to moist areas such as the armpits and perineum. Eye burns should also be rinsed promptly with 3% boric acid solution, cleaned every 15-30 minutes within 12 hours, and the conjunctival sac should be peeled off every day to prevent adhesion of the eye.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Authors: Hunan Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute (Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute affiliated to University of South China) Gong Chuqiao Luqiu Sijia

Follow @湖南医聊 to get more health science information!

(Edited by Wx)