Guidelines for care & Use of Dry Solvent Stills [Example]

The alcohols show a regular dependence of narcotic action on their physical constants.
Anesthetic power increases with increasing molecular weight. Butyl and amyl alcohol have in
addition a slight irritant action and some degree of poisonous action on the protoplasm.
Secondary alcohols are stronger narcotics than the primary alcohols. With the exception
of methyl alcohol, the toxicity of the alcohols is comparatively small. Methyl alcohol is a
poisonous substance and contact, as well as inhalation, should be avoided. This compound exerts
a particular effect on the optic nerve and ingestion or inhalation may cause blindness.
3. Glycols and alcohol-ethers
These are principally blood and kidney poisons. The glycols are not considered exceedingly
toxic; ethylene glycol and ethyl ether are of comparable toxicity. Cellosolve, methyl cellosolve,
and carbitol are common alcohol-ethers which are considered hazardous in high concentrations.
4. Aldehydes and ketones
5. Alkalies
6. Aniline
The aldehydes are primarily irritants but they also have some narcotic action. Formaldehyde is
poisonous and a concentration of 5 parts per million is considered the threshold of a safe working
atmosphere. Acrolein is a lachrymator and was used in a war gas mixture.
The ketones are narcotic and are markedly stimulating to the respiratory center. In comparison
with some of the other solvents, they are relatively harmless although the inhalation or ingestion
of large quantities can be toxic.
Sodium and potassium hydroxide are white solids which are extremely soluble in water. The most
common injuries suffered are burns of the skin or eyes on contact. They are especially destructive
to eye tissue.
Ammonia is a strong irritant and can produce sudden death from bronchial spasm, but causes no
lasting harm in concentrations small enough to be severely irritating. It is absorbed readily
through the respiratory tract and is rapidly metabolized so that it ceases to act as ammonia. It is
particularly dangerous if splashed in the eyes.
Aniline can be absorbed through the skin and is dangerous to inhale or ingest. Aniline dye
compounds produce cyanoses and affect the central nervous system and bladder.
7. Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a chemical asphyxiant since it combines with the hemoglobin of the blood to
form a stable compound. The affinity of carbon monoxide for hemoglobin is about 300 times that
of oxygen and a preferential absorption always takes place.
8. Cyanides and nitriles
Hydrocyanic acid is a highly toxic colorless gas with the odor of bitter almonds. It is readily
absorbed through the skin at high concentrations. It blocks cellular respiration by poisoning the
oxidation catalysts. It is not a respiratory irritant.
Hydrogen cyanide and its simple soluble salts are among the most rapid acting of all poisons.
The halogenated materials are also highly toxic and possess some of the same properties as HCN.
However, at low concentrations, these materials behave more like the vesicant gases.
165