Gasoline (Kerosene): health hazards and treatment methods
Gasoline and kerosene are the two most common types of petroleum products that are used in various industries and transport. However, despite their widespread use, these liquids are hazardous to human health. Gasoline and kerosene contain harmful chemicals that can cause serious illness and even death.
One of the most dangerous properties of gasoline is its psychotropic (narcotic) effect. Inhaling gasoline vapors can cause dizziness, headache, intoxication, agitation, nausea, vomiting and even loss of consciousness. Gasoline is also a hepatotoxic substance, meaning it can cause liver damage. Leaded gasoline containing tetraethyl lead is especially dangerous to human health.
If gasoline gets ingested, for example, if swallowed, the following symptoms may occur: abdominal pain, vomiting, enlarged and painful liver, jaundice (toxic hepatopathy), nephropathy. When gasoline is aspirated - inhaled into the lungs - symptoms such as chest pain, bloody sputum, cyanosis, shortness of breath, fever and severe weakness (toxic pneumonia) are possible.
If you are faced with a situation where you had to deal with gasoline or kerosene, you need to know what methods you can use to help the victim. First of all, you need to remove the victim from the room saturated with gasoline vapors. If gasoline is swallowed, it is necessary to lavage the stomach through a tube and administer 200 ml of petroleum jelly or activated carbon.
When inhaling vapors or aspiration of gasoline, it is necessary to inhale oxygen, use antibiotics (12 million units of penicillin and 1 g of streptomycin intramuscularly, in inhalations), cups, mustard plasters. You can also use drugs such as subcutaneous camphor (2 ml of 20% solution), cordiamine (2 ml), caffeine (2 ml of 10% solution). For pain, you can use 1 ml of a 2% solution of promedol and 1 ml of a 0.1% solution of atropine subcutaneously. In case of breathing problems, it is necessary to carry out oxygen therapy, tracheal intubation and artificial ventilation.
In addition, it is important to support the victim’s body with B vitamins and ascorbic acid. These vitamins help restore liver function and strengthen the body's immune system.
In general, gasoline and kerosene are hazardous substances that can cause serious illness and even death. Therefore, it is necessary to take precautions when working with these liquids to avoid unpleasant consequences. If you encounter a situation involving gasoline or kerosene, you must immediately seek medical attention and follow the instructions of doctors.
It is important to remember that self-medication in case of gasoline or kerosene poisoning can lead to serious complications and even death. Therefore, it is necessary to seek help from specialists and follow their recommendations. Compliance with precautions and timely medical assistance can save life and health in case of gasoline or kerosene poisoning.