Hydrocarbon Poisoning
Basics
Description
Description
- Main complication from hydrocarbon exposure is aspiration
- Hydrocarbon aspiration primarily affects central nervous and respiratory systems
- Physical properties determine type and extent of toxicity:
- Viscosity (resistance to flow):
- Higher aspiration risk from products with lower viscosity
- Volatility (ability of a substance to vaporize):
- Hypoxia from aromatic hydrocarbons displacing alveolar air
- Surface tension (ability to adhere to itself at liquid's surface):
- Low surface tension allows easy spread from oropharynx to trachea, promoting aspiration (e.g., mineral oil, seal oil)
- Viscosity (resistance to flow):
- Volatile-substance abuse:
- Common solvents abused:
- Typewriter correction fluid
- Adhesive
- Gasoline
- Cigarette-lighter fluid
- Sniffing: Product inhaled directly from container
- Huffing: Product inhaled through a soaked rag held to face
- Bagging: Product poured into bag and multiple inhalations taken from bag
- Common solvents abused:
- Major classes of hydrocarbons:
- Aliphatics:
- Include kerosene, mineral oil, seal oil, gasoline, solvents, and paint thinners
- Pulmonary toxicity via aspiration
- Asphyxiation from gaseous methane and butane by displacement of alveolar oxygen
- Halogenated hydrocarbons:
- Include carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethane
- Found in industrial settings as solvents
- Well absorbed by lungs and gut
- High toxicity
- Liver and renal failure associated with ingestion
- Cyclics or aromatic compounds include toluene and xylene:
- Highly volatile and well absorbed from gut
- Death from benzene reported with 15 mL ingestion
- Terpenes or wood distillates include turpentine and pine oil:
- Significant GI tract absorption
- Significant CNS depression
- Aliphatics:
Etiology
Etiology
- Accidental exposures typical in young children
- Inhalation abuse of volatile hydrocarbons
- Suicide attempts in adolescents and adults
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Citation
Schaider, Jeffrey J., et al., editors. "Hydrocarbon Poisoning." 5-Minute Emergency Consult, 6th ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2020. Emergency Central, emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307216/all/Hydrocarbon_Poisoning.
Hydrocarbon Poisoning. In: Schaider JJJ, Barkin RMR, Hayden SRS, et al, eds. 5-Minute Emergency Consult. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2020. https://emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307216/all/Hydrocarbon_Poisoning. Accessed November 14, 2024.
Hydrocarbon Poisoning. (2020). In Schaider, J. J., Barkin, R. M., Hayden, S. R., Wolfe, R. E., Barkin, A. Z., Shayne, P., & Rosen, P. (Eds.), 5-Minute Emergency Consult (6th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. https://emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307216/all/Hydrocarbon_Poisoning
Hydrocarbon Poisoning [Internet]. In: Schaider JJJ, Barkin RMR, Hayden SRS, Wolfe RER, Barkin AZA, Shayne PP, Rosen PP, editors. 5-Minute Emergency Consult. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2020. [cited 2024 November 14]. Available from: https://emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307216/all/Hydrocarbon_Poisoning.
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