What does May in Indiana mean? The Indianapolis 500 race of course! Racing cars are on everyone’s minds, as we keep a close eye and ear on the results of Poles and Bumps and the Race itself. Races are fun to watch and of course cars are essential for most of us for transportation. At the same time, cars are also a source of toxins that can wreak havoc upon the individual who encounters them.
Starting with their fuel, cars are filled with fluids that can harm you. Gasoline is a hydrocarbon, which if swallowed and aspirated, can result in hydrocarbon pneumonitis. The end result can be devastating or even fatal. How might someone swallow gasoline?
Usually people do this when they are siphoning fuel from one vehicle to another. The moral of this is to never siphon orally! Motor oil and transmission fluid are also hydrocarbons, but because they are so much thicker than gasoline, they are much harder to aspirate, so are less likely to be a problem.
Other automotive fluids that are poisonous are radiator and windshield washer antifreezes. Radiator antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, while windshield washer antifreeze contains methanol. Both are extremely toxic in extremely small (teaspoons) amounts. Ethylene glycol can cause kidney failure, while methanol can cause blindness, and both can cause death, if very much is ingested. Brake fluid is similar to the antifreezes in toxicity.
How do people accidentally swallow these fluids? The most common error they make is to drain the fluid into a handy pop can or cup, which they then mistake for the can or cup that contains their drink. They take a big swig from it and unfortunately, one swig is enough to be a problem. Young children see the can sitting there and sip from it too – and can also wind up with serious problems.
Fortunately most hydrocarbon exposures don’t end up as aspiration pneumonitis and we have very effective treatments for both methanol and ethylene glycol exposures. Still, the best treatment for any exposure is Prevention. Don’t siphon gasoline or any automotive fluids. Drain automotive fluids into clearly marked waste containers and never use beverage containers for drainage purposes.
Enjoy May and Race Fans……. start your engines!
Gwenn
Gwenn Christianson, MSN, RN, CSPI
Senior Partner and Team Leader
Indiana Poison Center, Methodist Hospital
To be a registered nurse at Clarian, visit RN Job Opportunities Indiana.
Starting with their fuel, cars are filled with fluids that can harm you. Gasoline is a hydrocarbon, which if swallowed and aspirated, can result in hydrocarbon pneumonitis. The end result can be devastating or even fatal. How might someone swallow gasoline?
Usually people do this when they are siphoning fuel from one vehicle to another. The moral of this is to never siphon orally! Motor oil and transmission fluid are also hydrocarbons, but because they are so much thicker than gasoline, they are much harder to aspirate, so are less likely to be a problem.
Other automotive fluids that are poisonous are radiator and windshield washer antifreezes. Radiator antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, while windshield washer antifreeze contains methanol. Both are extremely toxic in extremely small (teaspoons) amounts. Ethylene glycol can cause kidney failure, while methanol can cause blindness, and both can cause death, if very much is ingested. Brake fluid is similar to the antifreezes in toxicity.
How do people accidentally swallow these fluids? The most common error they make is to drain the fluid into a handy pop can or cup, which they then mistake for the can or cup that contains their drink. They take a big swig from it and unfortunately, one swig is enough to be a problem. Young children see the can sitting there and sip from it too – and can also wind up with serious problems.
Fortunately most hydrocarbon exposures don’t end up as aspiration pneumonitis and we have very effective treatments for both methanol and ethylene glycol exposures. Still, the best treatment for any exposure is Prevention. Don’t siphon gasoline or any automotive fluids. Drain automotive fluids into clearly marked waste containers and never use beverage containers for drainage purposes.
Enjoy May and Race Fans……. start your engines!
Gwenn
Gwenn Christianson, MSN, RN, CSPI
Senior Partner and Team Leader
Indiana Poison Center, Methodist Hospital
To be a registered nurse at Clarian, visit RN Job Opportunities Indiana.
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