Posted on 08/30/2008 4:15:16 PM PDT by penelopesire
Just breaking on Fox. Not much info yet. People walking into are hospitals in St. Louis sick, skin turning blue and with breathing problems. Hospitals on Lock down.
???
They just mentioned it on Fox News....sounds very scary folks!
Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
Potential Health Effects
EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE Inhalation and skin contact are expected to be the primary routes of occupational exposure to para-Nitroaniline. para-Nitroaniline is readily absorbed through human skin. Although para-Nitroaniline is considered to be only slightly toxic on the basis of single exposure animal tests, human experience has shown that man is much more sensitive to methemoglobinemia caused by aromatic amino compounds than the rat or the rabbit.Methemoglobinemia is a condition caused by changes in the blood cells which decrease the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Cyanosis may occur and, as oxygen deficiency increases,there may be associated headache, weakness, irritability, drowsiness, shortness of breath, and unconsciousness. The appearance of methemoglobinemia may be delayed 0 to 12 hours after exposure. Because of the high potential for this material to cause methemoglobin formation, para-nitroaniline should be considered HAZARDOUS by all routes of exposure and exposures should be tightly controlled.
Inhalation:
Headache, coughing, dizziness, difficult breathing, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, cyanosis, unconsciousness.
Ingestion:
Nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, methemoglobinemia cyanosis, (bluish discoloration of skin)
Skin Contact:
Not a skin irritant May be absorbed through the skin with possible systemic effects.
Eye Contact:
Slight irritation, with discomfort, tearing, blurring of vision.
Chronic Exposure:
Liver damage, kidney damage, bone marrow, blood damage.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Liver disorders.
4. First Aid Measures
Inhalation:
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Prompt action is essential.
Ingestion:
Induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact:
Immediately remove contaminated clothing and wash affected area thoroughly with soap and water.
Eye Contact:
In case of eye contact, immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
Note to Physician:
Absorption of this product into the body may lead to the formation of methemoglobin that, in sufficient concentration, causes cyanosis. Since reversion of methemoglobin to hemoglobin occurs spontaneously after termination of exposure, moderate degrees of cyanosis need be treated only by supportive measures such as bed rest and oxygen inhalation. Thorough cleansing of the entire contaminated area of the body, including scalp and nails, is of utmost importance. If cyanosis is severe, intravenous injection of methylene blue, one milligram per kilogram of body weight, may be of value. Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), one milligram intramuscularly, may speed recovery. Intravenous fluids and bloodtransfusions may be indicated in very severe exposure.
Yeah, they get to get scrubbed raw with Brillo pads. Not fun, but beats dying.
Thanks, I always heard that silver nitrate turned you gray.
Maybe at first - but everytime I got it on me, it ended up being black spots. Stings a bit, but not as bad as many other things.
Can go boom, you say?
It’s nothing that you’d use in making a meth compound, is it?
I use a bit of DMSO every so often and I think about that case every time. Hope you’ve been well, my FRiend.
Maybe.
cyan=blue
cyanosis=skin turning blue/lack of oxygen
Not unless you had no idea how to make meth. People do the darndest things though.
The chemical was identified by officials as 4-Nitroaniline, a synthesis intermediate used in the manufacture of dyes, gasoline and pharmaceuticals. The compound can be toxic if it is inhaled, ingested or comes into contact with a person’s skin.
(Probably came from OxyChem which is on the east side)
www.kmov.com
“Sounds weird. Six men dumpster diving together?
That is exactly what my husband said.”
-
OK how about this:
The six men were up to something no good.
The dumpsters are a cover story, for something having gone wrong. They split up, to try to be less suspicious.
http://chemicalland21.com/specialtychem/finechem/4-NITROANILINE.htm
PHYSICAL STATE: Yellow crystals with a pungent, faint ammonia-like odor
That's bad...
But it may explain why people ended up at different hospitals at different times away from the initial exposure site.
They determined it was: 4-Nitroaniline
Thanks for the reply.
I certainly am curious to hear the rest of the story.
Methhemoglobenemia is clinically presented as cyanosis and can occur with as little as 1.5 grams of methemoglobin per 100 ml. blood. This decreases the oxygen supply and impairs oxygen delivery to the tissues. It is generally accompanied by fatigue, weakness, dyspnea, tachycardia, headaches, and dizziness. Rarely does death ensue.
Diagnosis is generally made by pulling veinous blook and if there is a chocholate-brown color to the blood the diagnosis is almost certain. With adding 10% potassium cyanide to the blood it will turn bright red.
Most Methemoglobinemia resolves within 24 - 72 hours. Methylene blue 1 - 2 mg/kg body weight will give a good response.
Thanks
Sigma Chemical uses or produces the stuff and they are in the East St. Louis and in St. Louis.
Cyanide, as a poison, acts at the P-450 cytochrome level and causes immediate arrest of the muscular activity of the heart./
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