![]() Individuals who have experienced severe exposure or poisoning may need to stay at a hospital or under the care of a physician until the full extent of injuries can be determined, and a treatment plan developed. Methods for this can include mechanically administered oxygen, automated external defibrillation, or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Once the individual has been safely removed to an area with no methane, they may be revived. Anyone sent in to retrieve impacted workers should be wearing the proper protective equipment, including a self-contained breathing apparatus and fire-retardant personal protective equipment. The best response is to remove them from the area where they can get fresh air, but this should not be done by risking others to exposure. Providing initial medical responses for those who are suffering from methane exposure or poisoning can be incredibly difficult, particularly if they have fainted and collapsed. Responding to Methane Gas Poisoning and Exposure It is not an irritant, although when in liquified gas form, direct contact can cause frostbite and tissue death to exposed skin. Prolonged deprivation of oxygen that can occur with methane gas poisoning can also cause permanent damage to the brain and the heart.Īside from the severe effects that occur when methane gas exposure displaces oxygen, methane poses few other health hazards for those who encounter it. Symptoms also onset and escalate more quickly when physical exertion increases (due to the increased oxygen needs of the body during physical activity). Those who have been exposed are also at an increased risk of developing memory loss, depression, epilepsy, claustrophobia, and heart problems. Long-term effects can include lasting cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological problems. Mild exposure over a period of days or weeks can often show relatively few physical symptoms, but still, have a dramatic impact on overall mental health. Symptoms will become more severe as the concentration of methane increases, and the period of exposure becomes more prolonged. Decreased vision, especially in low lights.While low concentrations are generally not harmful, higher concentrations lead to less oxygen availability and a range of symptoms may be experienced, including: When inhaled, it displaces ambient air, thus depriving the body of oxygen needed to breathe. While it is considered relatively non-toxic, its primary threat is that it functions as an asphyxiant, similar to the threat posed by carbon monoxide exposure. Methane exposure, particularly when experienced in high concentrations, can lead to methane poisoning. Proper ventilation and testing are crucial for any workers and areas where methane may be present and/or accumulate. Similar to radon, methane can migrate and accumulate underground. It is combustible, and when pressurized, it also presents a risk of explosion even at low concentration levels between 5% and 15%. It is highly flammable and can ignite at a relatively low temperature. Methane also occurs naturally in wetland areas through the anaerobic decomposition of animal and plant matter. Methane that is used for commercial purposes commonly has an added odorant so that workers have a way of identifying a threat in the event of a gas leak. Like carbon dioxide, it is a greenhouse gas that is also encountered in normal atmospheric conditions at a rate of approximately 2.2 parts per million (ppm). Methane gas is naturally an odorless and colorless gas, which makes it particularly dangerous. Because of its prevalence, there is an always-present danger for workers in these industries for being exposed to methane or experiencing methane gas poisoning. It is also found in landfills, coal mines, livestock facilities, and wastewater treatment facilities. Learn about our MPS™ Methane Gas Sensor The Dangers of Methane Gas Poisoning and ExposureĪs a primary component of natural gas, methane is a relatively common gas, and it is especially prevalent in the petroleum extraction and refining industries.
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