I obtained the Material Safety Data Sheet from Stanford University Hospital. The product name is Nitric Oxide.
- What are the health risks associated with this chemical?
- It is harmful when people inhaled. It can cause respiratory tract irritation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, chest pain and difficulty breathing. Also, it can cause irritation in eye and skin as well.
- Is the chemical a carcinogen?
- Yes, but it is controversy.
- What personal protective equipment or special precautions should be taken when working with this chemical?
- For respiratory : Any supplied air respirator operated in continuous flow mode. Any chemical cartridge respirator with a full face piece and cartridge providing protection against the substance.
- For hand : Appropriate chemical resistant gloves.
- For eye : Splash resistant safety goggles.
- For skin and body : Appropriate chemical resistant clothing.
- If this is a chemical found in your workplace, what training/education were you given about any risks associated with this chemical
- For handing, secure cylinder when using to protect from falling. Also, use suitable hand truck to move cylinders.
- For cleaning up, stop leak if possible without personal risk. Avoid contact with combustible materials. Keep unnecessary people away, isolate hazard area and deny entry. Ventilate closed spaces before entering.
- For extinguishing media, do not use dry chemicals, carbon dioxide or halogenated extinguishing agents. Flood with find water spray.
- For fire fighting, move container from fire area if it can be done without risk. cool containers with water spray until well after fire is out. Let the fire burn.
I could find large amount information about the Nitric Oxide in the ToxNet database regarding to health effects, emergency treatment, pharmacology or animal toxicity studies. Based on the research from ToxNet, Nitric Oxide affects negatively on human health in many aspects. Although MSDS contains major information to know for employee, it would be more helpful to find the information from databases such as ToxNet. The database contains more specific information to protect workers.
Hi Yeana,
ReplyDeleteI read online that nitric oxide is sometimes used in neonates to treat pulmonary hypertension. This is not a common therapy regimen, but may be tried before placing the infant on ECMO. However, nitric oxide is not FDA approved in the use of adults and children. In fact, too much nitric oxide can cause lung injury. It is interesting that such a dangerous substance can have a medical use as well. Thanks for sharing!
Hello Yeana,
ReplyDeleteAs Elena stated above, I do know that nitric oxide is commonly found in the hospital setting. I recall having to store these containers in specified areas, along with oxygen tanks. However, in retrospect, I am surprised that we would store these containers of flammable chemicals right next to the actual hospital buildings where patient rooms were located.