Asphyxiant 09
Asphyxiant 09 : Chemistry and Chemical Disasters. A substance that can cause unconsciousness or death by suffocation (asphyxiation). Asphyxiants which have no other health effects and are sometimes referred to as simple asphyxiants. Asphyxiation is an extreme hazard when working in enclosed spaces. Be sure you are trained in confined space entry before working in sewers, storage tanks etc. where gases such as methane may displace oxygen from the atmosphere. Additional Info: Asphyxiants work by displacing so much oxygen from the ambient atmosphere that the hemoglobin in the blood can not pick up enough oxygen from the lungs to fully oxygenate the tissues. As a result, the victim slowly suffocates. The normal composition of air is: Gas: Nitrogen N2, Percent by Volume %V: 78.03; Gas: Oxygen O2, %V: 20.99; Gas: Argon Ar, %V: 0.94; Gas: Carbon Dioxide CO2, %V: 0.033; Gas: Neon Ne, %V: 0.0015; Gas: Helium He, %V: 0.000524; Gas: Krypton Kr, %V: 0.00014; Gas: Xenon Xe, %V: 0.000006; According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) the health effects of asphyxiation are: % O2 by volume: 16 - 12, Symptoms or effects: Breathing and pulse rate increased, muscular coordination slightly disturbed; % O2 by volume: 14 - 10, Symptoms or effects: Emotional upset, abnormal fatigue, disturbed respiration; % O2 by volume: 10 - 6, Symptoms or effects: Nausea and vomiting, collapse or loss of consciousness; % O2 by volume: Below 6, Symptoms or effects: Convulsive movements, possible respiratory collapse and death. Examples of asphyxiating gases are nitrogen (N2), helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), methane (CH4), propane (CH3CH2CH3), and carbon dioxide (CO2). MSDS Relevance: All of the asphyxiants listed above are odorless and tasteless except carbon dioxide. You can become unconscious by inhalation of these gases without realizing they are present. Again, follow OSHA-approved protocols for confined space entry into sewers, storage tanks etc. Also note that some of these materials (methane and propane, for example) are also flammable and can form aflammable mixture in air. Remember also that simple air-purifying respirators ordust masks do not protect you from asphyxiation in anoxygen-deficient atmosphere. See: The first link below for accidents involving supplied air respirators! The abbreviations S/A or SA are sometimes used for "simple asphyxiant" in describing lethal or regulatory compliance concentrations. See also: Air, Anoxia, Asphyxia, Asphyxiation, IDLH - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
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