Chemical Hazards

Chemical Carcinogen - The ability to induce cancer of all toxic responses that can be evoked in the body.

Cancer is known as the formation of a lump or tumor caused by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells which
eventually spread at the expense of normal cells can, unless it is stopped, cause death.

Carcinogens refers to agents consisting of either chemical physical or viral ability to induce cancer. It is generally
accepted that formation of cancerous cells results from the attack of the mechanism that controls the reproduction
of normal cells by carcinogens.

Identifying Carcinogenic Substances

Animal Testing. This method calls for the exposure of animals to the chemical to determine if the substance is
potential carcinogenic risk to humans.

Epidemiological Surveys. This method concerns with the analysis of medical records to determine if there is a
statistical increase of cancer in people exposed to a certain substance or process in comparison to people who are
not exposed.

Short-term Screening Test. This is a new method which utilize animal tissue as a test system. It has found out that
abnormal reactions can be produced by carcinogenic substances when tissues containing then are cultured.

Dermatitic Substances - A non-infectious, inflammatory condition of the skin caused by prolonged contact with
chemical or physical agents is known as Dermatitis.

Two Categories of Contact Dermatitis

Contact Dermatitis. Caused by substances known as primary cutaneous irritants. Directly attack the skin causing
tissue destruction or degreasing, but recovery follows after removal of the substance.

Sensitisation Dermatitis. This condition is caused by substances known as cutaneous sentisisers. Such substances din
not necessarily cause inflammatory responses on the first contact, but may cause an allergic response in the
metabolic reaction of the skin.

Accidents by Gassing - This is caused of inhalation of air containing toxic or corrosive gas.

One of the most common types of gassing is anoxia or lack of oxygen which happens in two way:
1. Simple Anoxia – the amount of oxygen in the air has been reduced to a level which can not
adequately support respiration.
2. Toxic Anoxia – this occurs when oxygen are prevented from traveling through the body in the blood.
Hypoxia. Oxygen deficiency that results from any interference with oxygenation of blood or inability of the tissues to
absorb oxygen.
Other kinds of hypoxia are –
1. Hypoxic Hypoxia – due to low oxygen tension in the blood.
2. Hypemic hypoxia – disturbance impairing the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to the tissues, like in
hemorrhage and anemia.
3. Stagnant Hypoxia – caused by insufficient circulation of the blood and therefore oxygen in the body.
4. Histotic Hypoxia – inability of the tissue to absorb and utilize oxygen carried to tem by the blood.
5. Fume Fever. Gassing situation which produces a symptom similar to influenza. Happens when fumes
containing zinc, copper, or brass are inhaled. Polymer fume fever ca be produced when polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), polytetraflourethylene (PTFE) fumes are inhaled.

Corrosive Substances

This substances can cause chemical burns. Rapid destruction of the body at point of contact.
 1. Dehydraton due to
1. Acids – concentrated sulphuric acids
2. Alkalis – sodium hydroxide and solutions
3. Acid anhydrides – ethanoic acid anhydride
2. Reduction caused by reactive reductants
1. Sodium and potassium metals
3. Oxidation caused by reactive oxidants
1. Nitric acid
2. Chromium trioxide
3. bromine
4. Denaturation of proteins as caused by phenol
Skin and the eyes are parts of the most vulnerable to corrosive action of chemicals followed by the irritation of the
respiratory tract.

Mechanism of Some Toxic Agents

 Aromatic amino and nitro compounds – these substances oxidize the iron(II) in the hemoglobin to
iron(III)which reduces the efficiency with the oxygen passes through the blood as the oxidized hemoglobin
become inactive.
 Cyanide ion, CN – these substance produces toxic action deactivating enzymes that take part in the reaction
which allows O2 to be used by the cell tissue. First aid treatment of cyanide is inhalation of amyl nitrate
vapor followed by rapid treatment with ‘Kelo-cyanor’, resuscitation.
 Hydrogen fluoride – one of the most corrosive agents. Its corrosive action is related to the fluoride rather
than the acidic nature of the substance. Fluoride is readily absorbed by the skin and rapidly penetrates deep
into the tissue layer causing necrosis (death) of cells of the soft tissues. Decalcification and corrosion of bone
can also happen.
 Hydrogen sulphide – this substance acts directly on the nervous system causing paralysis of the respiratory
center. It paralyses also the olfactory system (sense of smell).
 Mercury Vapor – if inhaled, it is absorbed by the lungs and oxidizer into mercury ions. Then it ions
distributed through the body, eventually lodging in the kidneys.
 Phenol,C5H5OH – highly toxic substance capable of killing all types of biological cells in to ways:
 Corrosive agent – when in contact with the skin it denatures protein, causing skin to turn
white, then red resulting in dead skin.
 Toxic agents – it is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream producing toxic action. The
kidneys are preferentially attacked causing possible death

FIRST AID  Do respect the victim’s modesty and physical

-Immediate care given to a person who has been
injured or suddenly taken ill.
-Assessment and intervention that can be perform by a
bystander (or the Victim) with a minimal or non
medical equipment.
Objectives of First Aid
1. To alleviate suffering.
2. To prevent added/further injury or danger.
3. To prolong life.
Golden Rules in performing First Aid
 Do obtain consent when possible
 Do think of the worst
 Do remember to identify yourself
privacy
 Do be as calm and as direct as possible
 Do care for the most serious injuries first
 Do assist the victim with his/her medications
 Do keep bystanders away from the injured
person
 Do handle the victim to a minimum
 Do loosen tight clothing
 Do NOT let the victim see his/her injury
 Do NOT leave the victim alone
 Do NOT assume obvious injuries are the only
one
 Do NOT make unrealistic promises
 Do NOT trust the judgment of a confuse
victim
Characteristics of a Good First Aider for effective resuscitation of the victim of
Gentle cardiac arrest.
Resourceful
Observant WOUNDS - Is a break in the continuity of a
Tactful tissue of the body either internal or external.
Empathetic Two Types of Wounds
Respectable 1. A close wound is a wound where the
outer layer of the skin is intact and
the damage lies below the surface
BODY SUBSTANCE ISOLATION - Are
2. In an open wound, the outer layer of
precautions taken to isolate or prevent risk of
skin is broken. The break in the skin
exposure from any other type of bodily
can be as minor as a scrape of the
substance.
surface layers or as severe as a deep
Basic Precautions and Practices penetration.
Personal Hygiene Heat-related Emergencies
Protective Equipment 1. Heat Cramps - Heat cramps are painful
Equipment Cleaning & Disinfecting involuntary muscle cramps that can occur
during and after exercise or work in a hot
environment.
GETTING STARTED 2. Heat Exhaustion - Heat exhaustion is a
1. Plan of Action milder form of heat-related illness that can
2. Gathering of Needed Materials develop after exposure to high temperatures.
3. Initial Response: This may also be a result of inadequate fluid
4. Instruction to Helper/s intake or the insufficient replacement of
fluids.
Basic Life Support 3. Heat Stroke - Heat stroke is a form of
RESPIRATORY ARREST - Is the condition in hyperthermia. Prolonged exposure to high
which breathing stops or inadequate. temperatures can contribute to failure of the
RESCUE BREATHING - Is a technique of body’s temperature control system.
breathing air into a person lungs to supply Cold-related Emergency
him or her with the oxygen needed to survive. Hypothermia - Hypothermia is the general
cooling of the entire body. In hypothermia,
WAYS TO VENTILATE THE LUNGS body temperature drops below 35º C.
1. Mouth-to-mouth
2. Mouth-to-nose
3. Mouth-to-mouth-and-nose
4. Mouth-to-stoma
5. Mouth-to-face shield
6. Mouth-to-mask
7. Bag Mask Device

CARDIAC ARREST - Is the condition in which

circulation ceases and vital organs are
deprived of oxygen.
CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) -
This is a combination of chest compression
and rescue breathing. This must be combined