What are the effects of methyl isocyanate on humans?
Signs and symptoms of methyl isocyanate typically include cough, dyspnea, chest pain, lacrimation, eyelid edema, and unconsciousness. These effects might progress over the next 24 to 72 hours to include acute lung injury, cardiac arrest, and death (1-4).
What are the health effect caused by acute exposure of methyl isocyanate mic?
Health Effects. Methyl isocyanate is irritating and corrosive to the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. Acute exposure to high vapor concentrations may cause severe pulmonary edema and injury to the alveolar walls of the lung, severe corneal damage, and death.
What is the effect of MIC on humans and animals?
Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) It is corrosive to the skin and eyes. Short-term exposures also lead to death or adverse effects like pulmonary edema (respiratory inflammation), bronchitis, bronchial pneumonia and reproductive effects.
What is methyl isocyanate used for?
Methyl isocyanate is a colorless highly flammable liquid that evaporates quickly when exposed to the air. It has a sharp, strong odor. Methyl isocyanate is used in the production of pesticides, polyurethane foam, and plastics.
What parts of the human body are affected by methyl isocyanate?
* Breathing Methyl Isocyanate can irritate the lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. * Methyl Isocyanate may cause an asthma-like allergy.
How do you neutralize methyl isocyanate?
Cautiously neutralize spilled liquid with caustic soda. Absorb remaining liquid in dry sand or inert absorbent and remove to safe place. Chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment.
Is isocyanate a hazardous material?
Isocyanates are hazardous chemicals. Isocyanates are widely used in manufacturing materials like polyurethane foams, rubbers, plastics, varnishes, adhesives and paints.
Why is methyl isocyanate so toxic?
MIC may be the most toxic of all isocyanates because of its very high vapor pressure relative to other isocyanates and because of its ability to exert toxic effects on numerous organ systems.
Is methyl isocyanate toxic?
Methyl isocyanate is extremely toxic to humans from acute (short-term) exposure. In Bhopal, India, accidental acute inhalation exposure to methyl isocyanate resulted in the deaths of about 3,800 people and adverse health effects in greater than 170,000 survivors.
What are the properties of methyl isocyanate?
IV PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF METHYL ISOCYANATE
| Molecular mass | 57.05 |
|---|---|
| Specific gravity (water = 1) at 20 °C | 0.96 |
| Vapor density (air = 1) | 1.97 |
| Boiling point (°C) | 39.1 |
| Vapor pressure (mbar) at 4 °C | 267 |
What is formula of methyl isocyanate?
C2H3NO
Methyl isocyanate/Formula
Methyl isocyanate is a colorless liquid that has a sharp odor. ( 1) The odor threshold for methyl isocyanate is 2.1 parts per million (ppm). ( 6) The chemical formula for methyl isocyanate is C2H3NO, and the molecular weight is 57.05 g/mol. (
What are the hazards of methyl isocyanate?
* Methyl Isocyanate may cause an asthma-like allergy. Future exposure can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and/or chest tightness. * Methyl Isocyanate is a FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE chemical and a FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD.
What are the symptoms of exposure to methyl isocyanate?
Exposure to methyl isocyanate typically occurs through inhalation or dermal absorption. Toxicity might develop over 1 to 4 hours after exposure. Signs and symptoms of methyl isocyanate typically include cough, dyspnea, chest pain, lacrimation, eyelid edema, and unconsciousness.
How is methyl isocyanate ( MIC ) harmful to humans?
Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) Methyl isocyanate is used in the production of synthetic rubber, adhesives, pesticides and herbicide intermediates. It is extremely toxic by inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption. Inhalation of MIC causes cough, dizziness, shortness of breath, sore throat and unconsciousness. It is corrosive to the skin and eyes.
How is methyl isocyanate found in second hand smoke?
‘ Methyl isocyanate has been found in the smoke from tobacco, so people who smoke or breathe second-hand smoke may be exposed to this compound. ‘You can be exposed to methyl isocyanate by breathing or touching it at workplaces where this compound is produced or used.
How is methyl isocyanate degraded in the atmosphere?
isocyanate gas is degraded rapidly in the air by reacting with substances commonly found in the air. Methyl isocyanate will also be broken down by moisture from clouds and rainfall. It will only persist in the atmosphere a few hours to a few days before being degraded.