Poisoning with ammonia: how dangerous is this?

Ammonia is a toxic element and upon penetration into the body causes an immediate reaction. For a person, both gaseous and liquid ammonia are dangerous. In the first case, it enters the respiratory tract and irritates the mucous membranes. If liquid ammonia gets on the human skin, then immediately causes severe burns.

Ammonia poisoning: why does it occur? In the modern world, ammonia is used in the manufacture of refrigerators, so people working in this industry are at risk.

In addition, ammonia poisoning is quite often observed in people who work in factories producing organic dyes, soda, sugar and special fertilizers. Acute poisoning is also possible when cleaning sewer pipes or cesspools.

Poisoning with ammonia: symptoms. The first signs of poisoning with ammonia are irritation of the mucous membrane of the eyes and the nasopharynx. A person feels a choking in the throat and a dry mouth. Poisoned people, as a rule, begin to sneeze intensively - thus, the body tries to get rid of the allergen. Further there is a strong cough, hoarseness arises. With longer contact with ammonia, a person begins to feel a sharp pain in the chest. Perhaps the appearance of severe nausea, which develops into vomiting.

Ammonia and its compounds also affect the nervous system - a person becomes too excited, his movements are harsh. Poisoning with ammonia can be accompanied by severe delirium and complete loss of control over the body. In severe cases, the threshold of auditory sensitivity is significantly reduced in patients, the person does not tolerate even quiet sounds, from which he may begin seizures.

With severe intoxication, the pain in the throat becomes burning, sometimes the laryngeal edema develops. The patient has a strong feeling of suffocation. Possible as severe consequences as toxic bronchitis, pneumonia and pulmonary edema. As a rule, too much poisoning with ammonia ends in a lethal outcome. In addition, with prolonged exposure to this toxic substance, important centers of the brain are affected. With long exposure to toxins, irreversible changes in memory, thinking and the development of mental retardation are possible.

With the penetration of ammonia or its compounds into the digestive tract, the development of extensive necrosis begins, which leads to internal bleeding and intense pain shock. In catastrophic cases, the narrowing of the esophageal opening begins, as well as some parts of the stomach. Such a strong poisoning with ammonia can result in death.

When liquid ammonia enters the skin, severe burns occur.

Ammonia poisoning: first aid and treatment methods.

To begin with, you must always take the sick person out of the room to fresh air. If necessary, perform artificial respiration. Then you need to release the victim from the clothes, if it restricts his movement or makes the breathing difficult.

If ammonia has got on the mucous membrane of the eyes or skin, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the affected areas with plenty of running water. In case of damage to the nasal mucosa and oral cavity, immediately rinse them with a weak solution of baking soda.

If ammonia enters the body through the digestive system, you need to get the affected person to drink milk with soda.

If the symptoms of the lesion are too strong, the patient can not speak, raves, or completely fainted, you should immediately deliver it to the nearest hospital, because in severe cases the victim needs immediate hospitalization or resuscitation.

Remember that ammonia is a very toxic substance. Therefore, if you work in an environment of high risk, do not forget about the security features.