PHCT311 LAB

Industrial Poisons
1. Ethanol
2. Methanol
3. Acetone
4. Formaldehyde
5. Phenol
6. Chloroform Toxic Alcohol Metabolism
7. Carbon tetrachloride
8. Carbon disulfide
9. Aniline
10. Picric acid

Exp 1
Ethanol

Tests to Detect Ethanol

BENEFITS
 Moderate drinking of ethanol can reduce the risk of
coronary heart disease because ethanol can increase the
HDL levels
MODERATE DRINKING
 28 g of ethanol daily in men
 14 g of ethanol daily in women
CHRONIC DRINKING (ALCOHOLISM)
Ethanol  Addiction
 Also known as ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking  Abrupt cessation causes withdrawal syndrome
alcohol, neutral spirit, spiritus vini rectificatus DELIRIUM TREMENS
 It is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with  Delirium tremens is a rapid onset of confusion usually
characteristic odor. caused by withdrawal from alcohol.
 It can be naturally produced by fermentation of sugars by  Physical effects may include shaking, shivering, irregular
yeasts. heart rate, and sweating.
 1 gram of ethanol = 7 kilocalories  Occasionally, a very high body temperature or seizures
 Common alcoholic beverage = 1 beer = 330 mL (4-6 %v/v may result in death.
ethanol) = 13.2-19.8 mL (sp.gr=0.789) = 10.4-15.6 g (7  Delirium tremens typically only occurs in people with a
kcal/g) = 72.9-109.4 kcal high intake of alcohol for more than a month.
USES
 Antiseptic and/or disinfectant Metabolism of Alcohol
 Recreational substance
 Antidote
 Pharmaceutical aid

ANTIDOTE FOR:
 Methanol
 Ethylene glycol
 Propylene glycol poisoning
PHARMACEUTICAL AID
 Solvent
 Vehicle for tincture, spirits and elixirs ADR (Adverse Drug Reactions)
 Cardiovascular - tachycardia, hypertension, angina, CHF,
Treatment with Ethanol arrhythmia
Ethanol is a competitive inhibitor of ADH. It’s affinity for ADH is 10-  Nervous - ataxia, dementia, Wernicke-Korsakoff
20 times greater than that of methanol. Ethanol slows the rate of syndrome, amnesia, paranoia, hyperthermia, aggressive
methanol’s to formaldehyde and formic, allowing the body time to behavior, dysarthria
excrete methanol in the breath and urine.  Gastrointestinal - N/V, diarrhea, abdominal pain,
hemorrhage, anorexia
PHCT311 LAB
 Hepatic - cirrhosis, fatty liver
 Skeletal - peripheral neuropathy, osteoporosis
 Ocular - visual disturbances
 Pregnancy risk - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

NFPA-704 Standard
 “NFPA 704: Standard System for the Identification of the
Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response" is a
standard maintained by the U.S.-based National Fire
Protection Association.

How to detect intoxicated individual?

 A breathalyzer is a device for estimating blood alcohol
content (BAC) from a breath sample.
Exp 2
Ethanol as a poison Methanol
MOT (Mechanism of Toxicity)
 Central nervous system (CNS) depressant
S/S (Signs and Symptoms of Toxicity)
 Acetone breath
 CNS depression – sedation, dementia
 Respiratory depression
 Mydriasis
 Decrease the blood level of glucose, Ca, K, Mg, Na, PO4,
WBC, platelets
TREATMENT OF OVERDOSE
 Gastric lavage within 2 hours of exposure Tests to Detect Methanol
 Hemodialysis Oxidation with Sample in {+) bluish green
 Flumazenil Glowing copper porcelain dish → with formalin odor
 Thiamine wire plunge glowing hot
 Digoxin copper spiral into
LETHAL DOSE OF ETHANOL solution → heat
 Lethal dose (adult) of alcohol is 5 to 8 g/kg Oxidation with Sample → + 10 (+) decolorized
o That is 300g of alcohol, which is equivalent to 30 Potassium drops conc. H2SO4
permanganate
bottles of beer.
Oxidation with Sample → + 2 (+) green solution
 Lethal dose (children) of alcohol is 3 g/kg
Potassium drops K2CrH2 O7 ->
dichromate + 10 drops H2SO4
Phloroglucinol mix 2 mL 0.1% (+) pink to red
test phloroglucinol in 1 solution
mL KOH solution →
+ sample
Rimini’s phenyl Sample → + 10 +) violet solution
hydrazine test drops of phenyl
hydrazine HCl → +
2 drops 0.5% Na
nitroprusside → +
10 drops of
PHCT311 LAB
20%/6N NaOH
Tests to Detect Acetone
Methanol Legal's test Sample → 5 drops (+) red to orange;
 Also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, carbinol of 0.5% Na when heated: green
 It is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid. (Almost nitroprusside →
similar to ethanol) +6N NaOH solution
USES → observe color
 Solvent change → acidify
with acetic acid
 Fuel; additive to gasoline
Lieben’s iodoform Sample → 1 mL (+) crystals
 Paint remover
test Lugol’s solution
 Antifreeze
then warm → +
KOH solution →
cool
Reynold’s test Sample → +2 ml (+) black
mercuric Cl → +1
mL of alcoholic
KOH → shake and
MOT (Mechanism of Toxicity) filter → 5 drops
 Slowly metabolized to formaldehyde and then converted NH4S to clear
rapidly to formic acid filtrate → observe
 Increase level of formic acid causes metabolic acidosis (don’t shake)
 Formic acid can cause permanent blindness by
Acetone
destruction of the optic nerve
 Fruity odor, sweet taste
 Metabolite of isopropyl alcohol
ADR (Adverse Drug Reactions)
 Cigarette smoke contains 0.5 mg acetone per cigarette (no
 Cardiovascular: bradycardia
↑ cancer risk)
 Metabolism: metabolic acidosis, hypomagnesemia,
 Very water soluble
hypophosphatemia
 Potentiates CNS toxicity of ethanol
 Visual disturbances: blurred vision to diplopia leading to
blindness
USES
TREATMENT
 Solvent
 Sodium bicarbonate
 Paint thinner
 Folic acid
 Nail polish remover
 Ethanol

MOT (Mechanism of Toxicity)

 Release of norepinephrine on heart narcotic properties
 CNS Depression
S/S (Signs and Symptoms of Toxicity)
 Ataxia, coma, headache, narcosis, sedation, seizure
 Bronchial irritation, respiratory depression, coughing
 Tachycardia
 Eye irritation
TOXICOKINETICS
 A: Readily through the lungs (75-80%) and skin (more
slowly) and GI tract (74-83%)
 D: Vd: 0.8L/kg
 M: Metabolized to acetate and formate
Exp 3  E: Excreted through the lungs and urine
Acetone TOXIC DOSE
 2-3 mL/kg oral
TREATMENT
 Do not induce emesis
 Activated charcoal can adsorb 42-44% of acetone
 No antidote (neutralization with milk or water)
 Supportive therapy (100% humidified oxygen)

Exp 4
PHCT311 LAB
Formaldehyde MOT (Mechanism of Toxicity)
 Covalently binds to proteins and cause cell necrosis
 Mucous membrane irritant
 Synthesized by methanol oxidation
ADR (Adverse Drug Reactions)
 Cardiac depression
 Hypotension
 CNS depression
 Panic attacks
Tests to Detect Formaldehyde  Contact dermatitis
General Aldehyde Reactions Hehner’s  Coagulation necrosis
Silver Fehling’s Nessler’s test  NVD
Nitrate Test test test  Black stool
Sample → + Sample → + 5 Sample → + Sample → +2  Throat irritation
few drops drops few drops mL fresh  Visual disturbance
ammoniacal Fehling’s Nessler’s unboiled milk  Renal failure
AgNO3 → reagent → reagent → + 7 mL 25%  Asthma
heat to observe → heat to HCl → + few  Tachypnea
boiling heat to boiling drops FeCl3
 Bronchospasm
boiling → boil gently
 Metabolic acidosis
(+) silver (+) brick red (+) gray (+) purple
TOXICOKINETICS
mirror precipitate precipitate ring at
junction  A: ↑ GIT/inhalation; ↓ dermal, ↑↑↑ nasal
 M: Rapidly metabolized to formic acid
Hexamethylene Sample → + NH3 → (+) white TOXIC DOSE
tetraamine test evaporate slowly precipitate  As low as 30 mL of formalin solution
Phloroglucinol Sample → + (+) red precipitate LETHAL DOSE
test unequal qty of 15%  60-90 mL of pure formaldehyde
HCl → sprinkle a TREATMENT
pinch of  Lavage within 1 hour, do not induce emesis
phloroglucinol  Dilute with water
Resorcinol test Sample → + (+) red solution  Activated charcoal
mixture of equal  Endoscopy to evaluate mucosal injury
vol. of 5%  Administer 100% humidified oxygen
resorcinol & 40%  Irrigate with copious amount of saline
NaOH  Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)
Rimini’s phenyl Sample → + 10 (+) deep blue  Ammonia (NH3)
hydrazine test drops of phenyl solution
 Beta agonist
hydrazine HCl → +
 Folic acid
2 drops 0.5% Na
nitroprusside → +
10 drops of 10%
NaOH

Formaldehyde
 Also known as formalin*, formol, methanal
o Formalin contains 37% of pure formaldehyde
 Colorless gas with a pungent odor
 Has a burning taste and prepared by the oxidation of
methyl alcohol
 Freely soluble in water
 Highly carcinogenic

USES
 Mainly used as embalming (tissue fixative)
 Used in the production of fireproofing agent,
glues/adhesives, lacquers, electrical insulation
 Tannery products
 Disinfectant (limited to hemodialysis machines)
Exp 5
PHCT311 LAB
Phenol  A: Readily absorbed through the lungs (60% to 88%),
orally (90%), through mucous membranes, and dermally
(0.35 m3 /hour)
 D: Not known
 M: Hepatic hydroxylation and sulfate conjugationHalf-life:
13.86 hours (dermal exposure) Conjugated phenol: 1 hour
 E: 1 – 4.5 hours
LETHAL DOSE
Tests to Detect Phenol
 2g
Bromine water Sample → excress (+) yellowish white
TREATMENT
test strong bromine precipitate
water Decontamination
Ferric chloride Sample → Very (+) blue-violet  Oral: Ipecac is contraindicated; lavage within 1 hour with
test dilute FeCL3 (drop water or polyethylene glycol; activated charcoal is useful
by drop) → diluted for gastric decontamination
HCl or H2SO4  Dermal: Remove clothing, wash exposed skin with
Hypochlorite test Sample → + few (+) blue isopropyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, or industrial
drops NH4OH → 2- methylated spirits
4 drops freshly  Inhalation: Remove from source and provide oxygen
prepared Na/Ca  Ocular: Flush eyes with copious amounts of water (if
hypochlorite exposed);
Melzer’s Sample → +2 mL (+) violet-blue Supportive therapy
benzaldehyde test conc. H2SO4 →  I.V. sodium bicarbonate (1-2 mEq/kg) can be used to treat
heat for 2 mins → + acidosis
10 mL water in
Enhanced elimination
cooled solution → +
 Charcoal hemoperfusion has been used successfully and
KOH
Millon’s test Sample → + few (+) red can be considered for blood phenol levels 175 mcg/mL
(Plugge’s drops Millon’s (associated with a 0.44 mg/kg exposure)
reaction) reagent → heat Antidote
 Methylene Blue
Phenol Poison Antidote
 Also known as hydroxybenzene, carbolic acid Colorless or Agricultural Poisons
white crystal, can also occur as pure liquid. Has a sweet, Organophosphate Atropine, Pralidoxime
acrid, tarry odor Carbamate insecticide Atropine
o Protoplasmic poison Hydrocarbon insecticide Physostigmine
USES Parathion Pralidoxime
 Antiseptic and disinfectant Paraquat Bentonite, fuller’s earth,
Na2SO4
 Drug precursor
Barium MgSO4, benzodiazepines
 Industrial purposes (production of resin, coating, dyes,
DDT Barbiturate
adhesive, perfume, textiles, lubrication oil)
Nitrogen Compounds
MOT (Mechanism of Toxicity)
Aniline, Nitrobenzene Methylene blue
 Cardiac effects may be due to sodium channel blockage
Alcohols & Glycol
 Phenol is known to disrupt disulfide bridges in keratin in Methanol Ethanol, Fomepizole,
the skin Morphine, Vit B9
 At 5% concentration, it can denature protein Ethanol Vit B12
ADR (Adverse Drug Reactions) Ethylene glycol Ethanol, Fomepizole, Vit B9
 Hypotension Aldehyde
 Tachycardia Formaldehyde Ammonia, NaHCO3
 CNS depression Hydrocarbons
 Nephritis Kerosene Mineral oil
S/S (Signs and Symptoms of Toxicity) Corrosives
 Burning sensation Oxalic acid, phosphate, Ca gluconate
 Cyanosis (due to methemoglobinemia) fluoride
 Bleached white skin (with red, white, or brown Ammonia Formaldehyde
discoloration) Bromine NaCl, NH4Cl
 Urine discoloration (dark, brown, green) Metallic Poisons
 Hematuria Sb, Au, Bi, W Dimercaprol or BAL
 Hypothermia Be, Cd, Mn, Se EDTA
 Nephritis Zn, Cr, Ni BAL, EDTA
 Seizures Cu BAL, penicillamine
 Wheezing As BAL, DMSA, penicillamine
 Encephalopathy TI Prussian blue or ferric
TOXICOKINETICS ferrocyanide
 Cellular uptake of phenol is due to its lipophilic character P CuSO4
PHCT311 LAB
Hg Na formaldehyde sulfoxylate Pyridostigmine
BAL, DMSA, Penicillamine Iron Deferoxime / deferoxamine
Pb BAL, EDTA, DMSA, Isoniazid Pyridoxine
penicillamine, succimer
Alkaloids Exp 6
Atropine Physostigmine Chloroform
Nicotine Diazepam
Quinidine NAHCO3
Ergot and derivatives Tolazoline, Na nitroprusside
Caffeine, theophylline Esmolol
Strychnine Diazepam, Neuromuscular
blockers, Barbiturates,
Atropine
Antiseptics
Iodine Starch solution, Na thiosulfate
Bleaching agents Na thiosulfate Tests to Detect Chloroform
Cationic detergents Ordinary soap Isocyanide Test Sample → 1-2gtt (+)
Chlorates Methylene blue Aniline → drops Offensive/penetrating
Chloramine-T Na nitrite, Na thiosulfate alc KOH → warm repulsive Smell
Phenol Castor oil Schwartz’s 0.1g Resorcinol → (+) Yellowish-red
Silver salts NaCl, Na thiosulfate, K Resorcinol 2mL water → Fluorescence ppt
ferricyanide NaOH sol’n →
Animal and Plant Hazard Sample
Mushrooms: Monomethyl Pyridoxine, methylene blue Lustgarten’s Sample → (+) Blue color which
hydrazine Gyromitra and Naphthol Test anaphthol sol’n → turns to green to
Helvella spp aqueous KOH brown upon exposure
Mushrooms: Muscarine Atropine to air
Mushrooms: Ibotenic acid, Physostigmine Fujiwara’s 2m Pyridine → (+) Red to Purple
muscimol Pyridine Test 3mL 10% NaOH coloration
Rattle snake bite Antivenom, suction, sol’n → heat to
tourniquet boiling → sample
Black widow spider Antiserum Cyanide Test Sample → NH3Cl (+) Blue ppt
Scorpions Antiserum → 2mL alc KOH →
Poisonous Gases heat for 1hr in
container with
CN Amyl nitrite, Na nitrite, Na
glass tubing →
thiosulfate, hydroxocobalamin,
cool → Prussian
100% O2, hyperbaric O2
blue
Sulfide Amyl nitrite, Na nitrite
CO 100% O2, hyperbaric O2
Reduction Test
Cosmetics
Bromates Na thiosulfate Fehling’s Test Sample → warm→ (+) Red ppt
fehling’s rgnt
Food poisoning
Tollen’s Test Sample → NH3OH (+) Silver mirror
Botulism ABE botulinus antitoxin
excess → AgNO3
Nitrates Methylene blue
sol’n → heat to
Sulfite Epinephrine
boiling
Medicinal Poisons
Acetaminophen N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
Chloroform
Heparin Protamine SO4
 Also known as Formyl Trichloride; Freon 20; Methane
Warfarin Vitamin K
Trichloride; TCM; Tri chloroform; Trichloromethane
Tricyclic antidepressants Physostigmine
USES
Benzodiazepines Flumazenil
 Solvent, grain fumigant, found in emulsions, spirits,
β-blockers Glucagon
tinctures; has been used as an anesthetic agent,
Ca channel blockers Glucagon, CaCl2
Digoxin Digoxin-specific Fab refrigerant, and aerosol propellant
antibodies MOT (Mechanism of Toxicity)
Digitalis KCl  A direct depressant on the respiratory center in the brain
Opiates Naloxone, Naltrexone, stem
Nalorphine  Interferes with gangliosides in neuronal membranes and
Atropine + Diphenoxylate Naloxone, Naltrexone, phospholipids on surfactant layer in lungs
Nalorphine  Can cause lipid peroxidation
Bromides NaCl
Amphetamine Chlorpromazine
MgSO4 Ca gluconate S/S (Signs and Symptoms of Toxicity)
Salicylates, Phenobarbital NaHCO3  Bradycardia, CNS depression, dizziness, drowsiness, dry
Neuromuscular blockers Edrophonium Cl, Neostigmine, mouth, fibrillation, nausea, headache, hemolysis, hepatitis,
PHCT311 LAB
hepatomegaly, hypotension, tachycardia (ventricular),
vomiting
 Burning, corneal injury, conjunctivitis, and urticaria may
occur with eye exposure.
 Acetone breath, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias,
mydriasis, and nystagmus have been reported.
 Chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, and respiratory
depression may occur.
 Chronic use may produce degenerative brain changes and
psychotic behavior.

TOXICOKINETICS
 A: Well through inhalation, oral, and dermal exposure
 D: Vd: 2.6 L/kg; throughout and soluble in adipose tissue
 M: To chlormethanol, hydrochloric acid, phosgene,
chloride, and CO2
 E: Primarily from lungs in the form of chloroform and CO2
TREATMENT
 Decontamination: Emesis within 30 minutes, lavage
(within 1 hour)/ activated charcoal. Remove from area of
exposure and remove clothing; wash thoroughly.
 Atropine
 Acetylcysteine