Methane is the most common household gas used in almost every home and at gas stations. The convenience of using this gas is familiar to everyone who has a gas stove, boiler, water heater, etc. at home.
However, you need to use the equipment with extreme caution, otherwise the consequences can be the most deplorable: an explosion or gas poisoning, the symptoms of which may not be noticed immediately. Both cases are often fatal.
Cunning of methane
Methane poisoning is a very dangerous condition for the body, so it is important to know how it manifests itself in order to take appropriate measures and provide first aid as soon as possible. Household gas is insidious not only because of its toxicity, but also because it is colorless and odorless, so it is almost impossible to determine its presence in the room. When the methane content in the air exceeds 20%, while oxygen is less than this indicator, poisoning inevitably occurs.
The action of methane is comparable to narcotic substances:
- affects the central nervous system;
- respiratory function is inhibited;
- oxygen going onstarvation.
Untimely action in the provision of emergency assistance will lead to death. In the body, natural gas displaces oxygen and replaces it, resulting in suffocation. The toxic substance enters the lungs through the respiratory tract and interferes with the normal functioning of hemoglobin. Acute oxygen deficiency appears.
Gas poisoning symptoms
The limit of allowable concentration of methane in the room is 7000 mg/m³. In production, sensors are installed to monitor gas in the air. And during its production, special substances are added that emit a specific odor to quickly detect the compound.
Every person should understand when gas poisoning occurred, know the symptoms of intoxication and first aid measures. In terms of severity, poisoning can take several forms:
- Mild form - dizziness, weakness and drowsiness, pain in the eyes, tearing, pain in the chest.
- Middle form - rapid pulse and heartbeat, impaired coordination of movements, severe heart failure.
- Severe form - intoxication as a result of receiving a large dose of methane. Sustained loss of consciousness, involuntary urination, blue/blanching of the skin, convulsions, shallow breathing.
- Instant form of poisoning - the strongest poisoning occurs after 2 breaths, after a few minutes the person loses consciousness and dies.
Early signs of gassing:
- dumb headache;
- tangledconsciousness;
- vomiting;
- high irritability and nervousness;
- tinnitus;
- feeling short of breath;
First aid
First aid is urgently needed. The victim needs to be saturated with fresh air: if he is conscious, then take him outside. In case of loss of consciousness, it is necessary to open all the windows in the room and turn the poisoned one on its side. At the same time, release the neck and chest from clothing to facilitate breathing and call an ambulance.
Before the arrival of the doctors, it is important to examine the person, if breathing is weak or stops, make artificial respiration. Inhalation is done through a gauze bandage or nasal passage to avoid poisoning the caregiver.
Cold is applied to the victim's head, arms and legs are released from tight clothing to ensure normal blood flow. Give the person as much fluid as possible. It can be water (provided that there is no vomiting), milk, tea or kefir.
Treatment for household gas poisoning
After the patient received first aid for gas poisoning and managed to save him, professional medical care is provided in a hospital setting. The treatment consists in the intensive supply of oxygen to the patient for several hours. Therapy will depend on the severity of the poisoning, in some cases a blood transfusion is required.
Treatment is selected on an individual basis after a thorough examination, most oftenassigned:
- Heart drugs to support the cardiovascular system.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs to restore the functions of the respiratory system.
- Painkillers for head and chest pains.
Also prescribed procedures in the form of breathing exercises to prevent stagnant and inflammatory processes in the respiratory system. Recovery after household gas poisoning can take a long time, in some cases such a toxic effect ends in the development of serious pathologies.
After discharge from the hospital, it is necessary to regularly visit a medical facility for a preventive examination. In the absence of diseases, the patient is removed from the register only after a 3-year observation. Even if gas poisoning has occurred a long time ago, the symptoms do not bother, observation is mandatory.
The consequences of such violations are often severe mental disorders, loss of vision (partial or complete). Decreased intellectual ability. The cardiovascular system suffers greatly due to intoxication, which can lead to the appearance of heart attacks. The most severe complication is pulmonary edema.
Main precautions and actions
Household gas poisoning occurs due to its leakage, so this problem needs to be solved urgently by examining home gas equipment. At the slightest suspicion of a leak, it is dangerous to turn on any electrical appliances, lights, light matches and smoke - these actions will provokeexplosion.
When helping the victim, you need to find yourself several helpers, since actions must be as quick as possible, and it is extremely difficult to cope with a poisoned person alone, especially when he is unconscious.
Causes of poisoning
Intoxication occurs as a result of improper operation of gas and heating appliances. Intentional poisoning for suicidal or criminal purposes is not uncommon. Household gas appliances:
- home ovens and gas appliances;
- cooking stoves, grill;
- fireplaces, water heaters;
- wood stoves;
- portable generators;
- cars and trucks.
Consequences of poisoning
Consequences may be pronounced or asymptomatic. The harm caused to he alth quickly and without a trace does not pass. Spasmodic pains, dizziness, low sensitivity of the extremities, partial hearing loss, cerebral edema (in more severe cases) may appear. During hypoxia (oxygen starvation), irreparable damage is done to brain cells, some of them even die off.
Household gas poisoning is dangerous for everyone without exception, but there is a category of people who feel its impact especially strongly, their symptoms appear brighter and faster. These include children, the elderly, smokers, and people with lung, heart, and blood disorders.
