مخاطر التعرض للمذيبات العضوية وسيل الوقاية و المعالجة منها

الملخص EN

Organic solvents are a chemical class of compounds that are used routinely in commercial industries.

They share a common structure (at least 1 carbon and 1 hydrogen), low molecular weight, lipophilicity, and volatility, and they exist in liquid form at room temperature.

They may be grouped further into aliphatic compounds that exist in chain form, such as n-hexane, and aromatic compounds that exist in a 6-carbon ring form, such as benzene or xylene.

Aliphatics and aromatics may contain a substituted halogen element and may be referred to as halogenated hydrocarbons, such as perchlorethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), and carbon tetrachloride.

Alcohols, ketones, glycols, esters, ethers, aldehydes, and pyridines exist as substitutions for a hydrogen group.

Organic solvents are useful because they can dissolve oils, fats, resins, rubber, and plastics.

Organic solvents arose in the latter half of the 19th century from the coal tar industry.

Their application grew to be wide and diverse in both developed and developing countries.

The introduction of chlorinated solvents in the 1920s led to reports of toxicity.

Although the number of solvents is in the thousands, only a few have been tested for neurotoxicity.

Workers in industries that utilize these agents may have occupational exposure.

Some other individuals may have environmental exposures if they live in proximity to industrial installations and / or come into contact with contaminated water, soil, air, or food.

Exposures are often to mixtures of solvents.

Some of these may occur deliberately when an individual recreationally inhales paints, glues, and other products.

This study will discuss the industrial solvents exposure and the development of many health problems.

Therefore, special precaution must be taken on handling, using, transporting and storing solvents.

Workers must be aware of the hazards of solvents and be subjected to frequent monitoring to assess the level of exposure.

Environmental protection agencies must be up to date with any toxicological studies of organic solvents and take the proper action to safeguard the environment.

Finally, the evaluating physician, however, must be able to differentiate between solvent related and non-solvent related toxicity.