By Kelley Donham, I-CASH Director
A 20-year-old agricultural laborer
inadvertently entered a produce storage facility a few minutes after it was
fumigated with methyl bromide. He took 2 or 3 deep breaths of the contaminated
air before irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headache and dizziness caused
him to leave the building. A fellow employee took him immediately to the physician's
office. Except for watering eyes and a dry, hacking cough, the man did not seem
to be seriously ill.
1.
Which of the following toxic effects of methyl bromide represents the single
most immediate threat to life?
A. Central nervous system depression
B. Upper respiratory irritation
C. Basal ganglion injury
D. Pulmonary edema
E. Renal irritation
2.
Which of the following steps should be taken immediately? (may be more than one
correct answer)
A. Draw blood for bromide determination
B. Administer 100%
oxygen at positive pressure, even in the absence of respiratory distress
C. Put the man at complete physical rest in a semi-reclining position
3.
Which of the following types of respiratory protective devices provides complete
protection against methyl bromide and other fumigants?
A. Dust masks
B. Cellulose filters
C. Charcoal filters
D. Self-contained breathing apparatus
E. None of the above
4.
Which of the following do fumigant gases readily penetrate? (may be more than
one correct answer)
A. Mucous membranes
B. Skin
C. Natural rubber
D. Neoprene
E. All of the above
____________________________
Answers: 1) D 2) B, C 3) E
4) E