HAZARD OF TOXIC PETROL FUMES NOT WIDELY REALISED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 80, 11 August 1948, Page 8

HAZARD OF TOXIC PETROL FUMES NOT WIDELY REALISED

Acute poisoning due to inhaling ' petrol fumes was recently discussed <by the Industrial Committee of the • Safety Council of Australia, and it WSS felt that a warning of such dangers should be given/ It was the opinion of the Industrial Committee that many people might not realise the hazard of tpxic properties in petrol and take undue risks. ; 1 / The British Medical Journal recently cited cases of such poisoning and how they occurred. Most of the cases brought under notice happened 'in storage tanks or other confined spaces, but under certain circumstances it would appear that the use of petrol in enclosed spaces, such as garages, may give rise to toxic concentrations. Petrol is in such. Common ,use without hazard that it does not call 4 for a general warning, but it is evident that where large concentrations remain immobile or ventilation is lacking, danger may ensue. The Journal also discloses that mild cases of poisoning from petrol and benzine can produce symptoms like those of alcoholic intoxication. There is excitement, or euphoria, with a tendency to hilarity, and particularly in women, fits : of uncontrollable hysterical laughter or crying. Men often become irritable and prone to quarrel. Those who have gained tolerance through repeated exposure may fail to show such emotional change and suffer simply from slight tremor of "the hands. When petrol is handled . in enclosed places adequate ventilation must be assured, so that, when exposure is likely to be prolonged, concentrations of 1 part per 1,000 are hot exceeded. Too much faith should not be placed in an oxygenb? eathing apparatus, especially when the concentration of petrol vapour is likely to be high, as the fumes have great penetrative power. The victim should be removed at once to the fresh air and a doctor summoned. If breathing has ceased, artificial respiration will be required, and oxygen, if available, should ■ be given, preferably with 5 per cent

carbon dioxide, administered, of course, under skilled supervision. The clothes, as they are saturated with petrol vapour and may be contaminated by the liquid, must be removed and the skin cleansed.