Vinyl Chloride Exposure Symptoms

Exposure to vinyl chloride over many years can affect the liver nervous system and skin.

Vinyl chloride exposure symptoms.

The symptoms reported most commonly stem from the anesthetic properties of vinyl chloride. Over 40 years ago the u s. Acute exposure to vinyl chloride can lead to symptoms that include weakness dizziness fatigue weight loss numbness and tingling of the extremities visual disturbances and in severe cases to coma and death. At very high levels the epa reports vinyl chloride can cause loss of consciousness lung and kidney irritation and in extreme cases.

A small percentage of individuals occupationally exposed to high levels of vinyl chloride in air have developed a set of symptoms termed vinyl chloride disease which is characterized by raynaud s phenomenon fingers blanch and numbness and discomfort are experienced upon exposure to the cold changes in the bones at the end of the fingers. With inhalation exposure signs and symptoms increase in severity over a range of 8 000 to 20 000 ppm in air. Plastic or vinyl odor exposure part 3. Most people cannot smell vinyl chloride until the level is between 300 and 10 000 ppbv.

Ingestion and other exposures to the chemical can cause various symptoms. Breathing vinyl chloride for a lifetime at 0 62 ppbv is very unlikely to be harmful to people. Chemical poisoning vinyl choride. The cancer is thought to be caused by exposure to vinyl chloride and other toxins.

Vinyl chloride is used primarily to make pvc a substance used in products such as pipes. Long term exposure can cause a rare form of liver cancer. These symptoms include dizziness ataxia fatigue drowsiness headache and loss of consciousness. Short term exposure to moderate levels of vinyl chloride in the air can result in a headache vertigo loss of consciousness and fatigue nervous system damage is also possible.

If vinyl chloride concentrations in air are above the action level we recommend taking an action to halt exposure. The review determined vinyl chloride vc monomer was a causative agent of the deadly cancer angiosarcoma. Centers for disease control and prevention cdc published an intensive study of the health dangers of a chemical plastics plant. Chemical poisoning vinyl choride.

Symptoms of vinyl chloride exposure. It can also irritate the eyes skin mucous membranes and respiratory tract. A single small exposure to vinyl chloride from which a person recovers quickly is unlikely to cause delayed or long term effects. Learn about vinyl chloride which can raise the risk of a rare form of liver cancer as well as brain and lung cancers and leukemia and lymphoma.