Survey on an acute occupational poisoning event caused by simple asphyxiating gas

Abstract

Objective. To provide a basis for the effective prevention of the same type of poisoning events through analyzing the causes of an occupational acute simple asphyxiating gas poisoning incident.

Method. Descriptive epidemiological method was used to investigate the related personnel of the poisoning incident, detect poisonous and harmful gases in the air of the scene, and collect and analyze the clinical data of patients.

Result. The poisoning incident led to 1 death and 2 poisoning. All of them were male. The dead patient was 38 years old, and two injured patients were 37 and 31 years old, respectively. The day after the accident, the contents of phenol, toluene, hydrochloric acid and oxygen were determined in the reactor where the accident occurred. The results showed that the maximum concentration of phenol, toluene and hydrochloric acid (CM) was 0/m3 , which did not exceed the occupational exposure limit of harmful factors in the workplace stipulated by GBZ2.1–2007. Also, the oxygen content was 10.0%, which was lower than the oxygen content in normal air.

Conclusion. This is an acute simple asphyxiating gas poisoning incident caused by the employing unit managers and operators’ weak awareness of occupational hygiene and safe operation. The employing unit managers and operators should strengthen occupational safety training, strictly implement the occupational health management system, and prevent such incidents.

Funding. Th e study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.