The harm of chloroform to human body

Chloroform is what we call chloroform. We can see it in the medical field and chemical industry. To give the most common example, we all know anesthetics, which are essential drugs for major surgeries. Without anesthetics, patients will suffer great pain during surgery. Anesthetics are made from chloroform. Chloroform has many functions, so what harm does it do to the human body?

Chloroform is the scientific name of chloroform, also known as "chloroform", "trichloromethane" and "carbon trichloride". Its molecular formula is CHCl3 and its molecular weight is 119.38. Chloroform is a colorless, transparent, volatile liquid with a special sweet taste. Relative density (20℃/4℃) 1.489, freezing point -63.55℃, boiling point 61.6℃, refractive index 1.4467, solubility parameter δ=9.4. It is miscible with ether, ethanol, benzene, petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, carbon disulfide and oils. Chloroform is widely used in medicine and chemical industry. Chloroform is also often used as a solvent and extractant for antibiotics, spices, oils, resins, and rubber.

Chloroform, commonly known as "chloroform", is a volatile chemical solvent. Excessive inhalation of it can cause harm to the human body and has an anesthetic effect. Moreover, chloroform must be stored away from light. If it is exposed to strong light for a long time during storage, it will easily decompose and produce a gas called "diphosgene". "Diphosgene" was used as a poison gas in gas warfare during World War I, so it can be seen that it is still very toxic. In short, chloroform must be used correctly according to usage and storage requirements.

Health hazards: Mainly acts on the central nervous system, has an anesthetic effect, and is harmful to the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Inhalation or absorption through the skin causes acute poisoning, with initial symptoms of headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, excitement, and irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, followed by mental disorders, shallow breathing, insomnia, coma, etc. In severe cases, respiratory paralysis, ventricular fibrillation, and liver and kidney damage may occur.

In case of accidental ingestion, there will be a burning sensation in the stomach, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and then symptoms of anesthesia. Chronic poisoning: mainly causes liver damage, in addition to indigestion, fatigue, headache, insomnia and other symptoms, a few have kidney damage.

Chloroform can enter the human body through the respiratory system, digestive tract and skin. It is quickly and completely absorbed through the digestive tract. After accidentally ingesting chloroform, it will be rapidly distributed throughout the body, but its content is higher in fat, brain, liver and kidneys. When people inhale chloroform through the respiratory tract, concentrations of 120 g/m3 or above can cause death within 3-5 minutes; concentrations of 30-40 g/m3 can cause vomiting and dizziness, and concentrations of 10

When the concentration of 1g/m3 is 2.5-3.5, there will be dizziness and mild nausea after 15 minutes of inhalation. Immersing a person's hands in 800 cm3 of chloroform liquid for 1 min is equivalent to inhaling 11.8 g/m3 of chloroform for 1 min.