Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Methyl chloride
poisoning
Methyl chloride Refrigerant,
methyl chloride
Food stored in
refrigerator having
leaking unit
Progressive drowsiness,
stupor, weakness,
nausea, vomiting, pain
in abdomen,
convulsions
Variable
Use nontoxic refrigerant,
or ice, water, brine, dry
ice.
Selenium
poisoning
Selenium
Selenium-
bearing
vegetation
Wheat from soil
containing
selenium, also
other plants and
water
Gastrointestinal,
nervous, and mental
disorders; dermatitis in
sunlight
Variable
Avoid semiarid
selenium-bearing soil for
growing of wheat, or
water with more than
0.05 mg/l Se.
Zinc poisoning
Zinc
Galvanized iron Acid food made in
galvanized iron
pots and utensils
Pain in mouth, throat,
and abdomen followed
by diarrhea
Va r i a b l e ,
short
Do not use galvanized
utensils in preparation of
foods or drink, or water
with more than 5.0 mg/l
zinc.
Methemo-
globinemia
Nitrate
nitrogen, plus
nitrite
Groundwater;
shallow dug
wells, also
drilled wells
Drinking water
from wells high in
nitrates
Vomiting, diarrhea, and
cyanosis in infants
2 - 3 days
Use water with less than
45 mg/l NO
3
for drinking
water and in infant
formula. Properly develop
and locate wells.
