Petrochemical thinners like turpentine are volatile organic compounds that can cause respiratory, neurological, and developmental harm through inhalation or ingestion. Acute exposure can cause dizziness or death, while chronic exposure is linked to cancers and impaired brain function. The document outlines case studies of accidental thinner ingestion and provides first aid instructions. It also proposes citrus solvent as a safer alternative for its biodegradability and lack of toxicity.

1. Effect of Petrochemical
thinner paint on
respiration
MASOMA MARIYAM
M.PHIL E-04
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB LAHORE

2. Petrochemical Compounds
 Petrochemicals are chemical products derived from
petroleum. Some chemical compounds made from
petroleum are also obtained from other fossil fuels, such
as coal or natural gas.

3.  Turpentine is a volatile organic compound (VOC), it readily forms
inhalable vapors at room temperature. These vapors are what make
turpentine hazardous.
 The vapors may affect the brain or nervous system, and trigger
headache, dizziness, confusion and nausea, gastrointestinal burning
and pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
 Repeated or long-term exposure may damage the kidneys, bladder
and nervous system as well as trigger dermatitis and eczema. research
indicates a possible association between long-term exposure and
respiratory cancers.
 As little as 15 mL can be fatal to children, and exposure to turpentine
can impact fetal development.

4. Hazards while using thinner paints
 Potential Physical Effects: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
 Potential Health Effects:
 Oral: May be harmful if swallowed
 Dermal: Causes skin irritation
 Eye: Causes eye irritation
 Inhalation: May be harmful if inhaled. Burns and irritation to
respiratory tract Causes damage to the nervous system
 Chronic: May damage fertility or the unborn child
 Potential Environmental Effects: Harmful to aquatic life with long
lasting effects

5. Toxicity
 Acute (high level, short-term exposure) neurotoxic effects of
organic solvent exposure in workers include drowsiness, headache,
dizziness, nausea, narcosis, anesthesia, central nervous system
depression, respiratory arrest, unconsciousness and death.
 Chronic (low level, long-term exposure) effects include fatigue,
irritability, memory impairment, emotional instability, diminished
impulse control, diminished motivation, decreased concentration,
decreased memory and decreased learning ability.

6.  The mean oral lethal dose of turpentine for humans ranges from 15
to 150 mL (~13 – 129 g; 95 – 947 mmol).
 Systemic toxicity to turpentine usually results in gastrointestinal
(GI) irritation and central nervous system (CNS) depression within
two to three hours of exposure; symptoms generally subside within
12 hours except in severe exposures.
 The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has
calculated that a concentration of 800 ppm (4457 mg/m3) is
immediately dangerous to life and health.

7.  A 26 year old male was admitted to the emergency having
accidental ingestion of thinner. He had consumed about 200–250
ml of thinner, mistaking it for water in the darkness of the night. He
was brought within half an hour of thinner ingestion with complaints
of vomiting, headache, weakness and dizziness.
 On examination, the patient was conscious, with a
 Dusky discoloration of tongue and nails.
 Blood was found to be chocolate brown in color.
 mild hypoxemia and metabolic acidosis
 Chest X-ray was normal
 He was mechanically ventilated with 100% oxygen.

8.  A 20 year-old male was brought to the hospital after he was found
unconscious outside his room. The patient was a chronic alcoholic
who had consumed thinner as no alcohol was available to him
that day. On examination, he was unconscious, not responding to
deep painful stimuli.
 Blood withdrawn for investigations was chocolate brown in color.
 The patient had a cardiac arrest within 3 h of arrival in the hospital
and could not be revived.

10. 1st aid measures if come in contact
with thinner paint
AFTER INHALATION
 Remove victim from the exposure.
 Give artificial respiration if not
breathing.
 Supply fresh air.
 Prevent aspiration of vomit, turn
victim’s head to side.
 Seek medical advice.
AFTER SKIN CONTACT:
 Remove all contaminated
clothing and wash before use.
 Flush affected area with water for
at least 15 minutes.
 Wash contaminated skin with
water, soap and rinse thoroughly.

11. AFTER EYE CONTACT:
 Immediately rinse opened eye for
at least 15 minutes under running
water.
 Immediately remove contact
lenses if present.
 Continue rinsing. Seek immediate
medical advice.
AFTER SWALLOWING:
 If the victim is conscious,
administer 3-4 glasses of milk or
water.
 Do not induce vomiting.
 Seek immediate medical advice.

12. Safer Alternative..
 Citrus Natural Solvent, a paint thinner alternative, is used as a direct
replacement for mineral spirits and odorless mineral spirits. Citrus
Solvent can be used wherever paint thinner or mineral spirits are
required as a natural, safer alternative.
 a biodegradable, naturally-occurring solvent, as the main
component is simply citrus peel oil.
 Citrus Solvent is 98% pure citrus peel oil extracted from the peel of
the orange fruit, the other 2% is water.

13.  our Citrus Solvent does not cause damage to the internal organs of
the body when breathed in, instead, it passes through without
effect.