CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF A CHEMICAL HAZARD

Critical Appraisal of a Chemical Hazard

Critical Appraisal of a Chemical Hazard

This paper is a thorough investigation in to one substance (which is carbon monoxide) used in industry that interacts with the human body to cause harm then determine the means of effectively controlling it. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a potentially deadly gas. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating. It is generally produced as a by-product from the incomplete burning of carbon-containing fuels such as wood, oil, natural gas, kerosene, coal and gasoline. When CO is breathed in, it attaches to the hemoglobin in the bloodstream and prevents the body from getting the oxygen it needs. Portable CO detectors can be used to detect. They are similar to smoke detectors and are designed to sound a warning before CO levels in the blood become elevated and cause death.

Air pollution is defined as the contamination of the air by tiny particles, or particulates, of solids and liquids and noxious gases in unhealthy amounts. It refers to the chemical and biological agents that modify the atmosphere, usually in perilous ways. Some of its major sources are automobile engines, industrial practices, heat and energy production, and the burning of solid waste. When inhaled, air pollutants affect the respiratory tract and lungs, but may also travel through the bloodstream and distress vital organs. By depositing themselves in the environment, these chemicals may also contaminate food and water, and they harm plants and animals alike. No one is safe from air pollution, and even your own home is full of airborne contaminants. (Brecher, 2007)

First, one naturally formed pollutant is carbon monoxide, a gas that is poisonous to humans. Unfortunately, it is tasteless, colorless, and odorless, so it cannot be detected by the senses. Carbon monoxide's natural atmospheric concentration is about 0.2 ppm, or parts per million, which is not harmful to humans. Some of its natural sources are bushfires and volcanic eruptions; however, it is also formed by humans. The main indoor source of carbon monoxide is tobacco smoking, and the main outdoor source is vehicle exhaust and some industrial activities, like creating steel. Sydney, Australia's main source of this is automobiles; 91% of emissions are due to their combined exhaust.

There is significant reason why smoking is discouraged in pregnant women, those with heart trouble, and even the healthy. First, carbon monoxide affects humans by taking up hemoglobin's carrying space. This would otherwise be occupied by oxygen, and impairs vital organs by giving them less oxygen than is necessary. Also, a mere 2.5% or more affected hemoglobin will noticeably affect your health, and 40% will almost surely kill any human. Even small amounts will decrease coordination and one's ability to grasp new ideas, as well as concentration and stamina, and a person with heart problems will be at greater risk of heart attacks, which will also be longer than usual. Its prenatal effects are gruesome, as it will mutate a growing child, and secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 ...