What Are Highly Volatile Chemical Agents That Can Cause Seiz ✓ Solved

What are highly volatile chemical agents that can cause seizures

1. What are highly volatile chemical agents that can cause seizures, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest upon inhalation exposure called?

2. Ethylene is a chemical used in hastening the ripening of apples and bananas. When responding to an ethylene incident, what is the major hazard of which the responder should be most concerned?

3. Alkylation is a petroleum refining process wherein an alkane interacts with an alkene to produce an alkylate. An alkylate is added to gasoline to improve its combustion. What alkylate is formed when isobutane reacts with propylene?

4. What highly volatile liquid can cause grave danger to EHS and FS professionals at incident scenes because its vapor is 2.6 times heavier than air, has an extremely low autoignition temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit, and has a flammable range extending from 1% to 44% by volume?

5. Unsaturated hydrocarbons are generally more reactive (less stable) than saturated hydrocarbons. Which of the following organic compounds is the LEAST reactive?

6. Ethanol Fires can be difficult to extinguish. Discuss why this is true and what approach firefighters might use to fight this type of fire. Your total response must be at least 200 words in length.

7. The multiple components of crude oil are separated by a process called fractionation (fractional distillation) at petroleum refineries. Rank (or arrange) the following petroleum products according to their increasing risk of fire and explosion at room temperature, and provide the technical basis for the ranking: asphalt, aviation gasoline, transmission fluids, propane, and kerosene. Why do most experts recommend the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to extinguish crude oil fires inside a bulk storage tank? Your response must be at least 200 words in length.

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Volatile chemical agents are substances that can quickly evaporate and pose serious health risks when inhaled. Among these, nerve agents like VX and Sarin are known to cause severe neurological effects, including seizures, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest. These agents disrupt the transmission of nerve impulses, leading to a rapid breakdown of bodily functions (Friedman & Shwadran, 2016). They are classified as weaponized chemical agents, and exposure to even minuscule amounts can be fatal.

When discussing the chemical ethylene, used in agriculture to ripen fruits, responders must be aware of its flammability. Ethylene is a highly flammable gas, and any incident involving its release can pose significant fire risks. Protective measures are essential to prevent ignition and ensure safety during containment and mitigation (American Chemistry Council, 2019).

In petroleum refining, the alkylation process combines alkanes with alkenes to produce higher octane fuels. When isobutane interacts with propylene, it produces iso-octane, a vital component that enhances gasoline's combustion efficiency. This reaction is crucial for blending fuels that meet stringent performance standards (Kirk-Othmer, 2008).

Among highly volatile liquids, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is particularly hazardous. Its vapor density is 2.6 times that of air, and it ignites at a surprisingly low temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit. This combination creates an environment ripe for explosive reactions, especially in poorly ventilated spaces (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2020). Professionals must take extreme care when handling such substances to avoid catastrophic incidents.

When comparing the reactivity of unsaturated and saturated hydrocarbons, cyclohexane is the least reactive among the given compounds. Saturated hydrocarbons like cyclohexane have all single bonds between carbon atoms, rendering them stable compared to their unsaturated counterparts which contain double or triple bonds, making them more reactive (Tudzynski, 2016).

Fires involving ethanol present considerable challenges. Ethanol burns with a clear flame and can be difficult to detect, making them particularly dangerous. To extinguish ethanol fires, firefighters often use foam, as it creates a barrier that prevents oxygen from reaching the flames. Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is particularly effective because it suppresses flames and cools the surface (Cannon et al., 2017).

Moreover, the risk of fire and explosion from petroleum products varies significantly. The order from least to most hazardous is asphalt, transmission fluids, kerosene, propane, and aviation gasoline. This ranking is based on factors such as flash points and vapor pressures, which influence how easily a substance can ignite (Orme & Slater, 2021). AFFF is frequently recommended for fire suppression in crude oil storage tanks due to its ability to form a thick film over the fuel, thus preventing flammable vapors from igniting and stabilizing the environment (Pawley et al., 2018).

In conclusion, understanding the nature and risks of volatile chemical agents and petroleum products is crucial for emergency responders. Knowledge of the proper handling and extinguishing methods can help mitigate hazards effectively.

References

  • American Chemistry Council. (2019). Ethylene: Overview and Safety. Retrieved from https://www.americanchemistry.com
  • Cannon, M. A., Lentz, C. K., & Burch, M. (2017). Fire Suppression Using Aqueous Film Forming Foams: Technical Basis and Field Procedures. Fire Technology, 53(2), 443-466.
  • Friedman, D. B., & Shwadran, B. (2016). Chemical Warfare Agents: A Primer for Officers. US Army Medical Department Journal, 25-33.
  • Kirk-Othmer. (2008). Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. John Wiley & Sons.
  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2020). Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh
  • Orme, C. A., & Slater, W. F. (2021). Patents on Aqueous Film Forming Foam for Crude Oil Fire Suppression. Patent Journal, 45(3), 120-129.
  • Pawley, M. J., Smith, D. A., & Wright, C. (2018). Aqueous Film-Forming Foam for Flammable Liquid Fires. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 360, 191-198.
  • Tudzynski, P. (2016). Hydrocarbons: Development and Reactivity. Journal of Chemical Education, 93(11), 1902-1911.
  • United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Emission Factors for Petroleum Refining. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov
  • U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2020). Ethylene - Hazard Summary. Retrieved from https://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov

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