What are the hazards of asphalt to the human body

Asphalt is very common in our lives. It can be seen on roads, roofs, wood, etc. In fact, asphalt is a product of crude oil processing. At room temperature, it is a black or dark brown viscous liquid or solid. It is a brown-black organic gelatinous substance. Nowadays it is widely used in industries such as coatings, plastics, rubber, and road paving. However, asphalt is moderately toxic and poses certain hazards to the human body. Now I will give you a detailed introduction to the harm of asphalt to the human body.

Skin damage

1. Phototoxic dermatitis: This disease often occurs after contact with asphalt dust or smoke and exposure to sunlight. A few minutes after the sun came, workers were laying asphalt road. The disease may occur within 1-2 days (mostly a few hours). The lesions are limited to exposed areas such as the face and back of the neck, especially the eyelids and cheekbones. The skin lesions are of the sunburn type and manifest as clearly demarcated bright red spots, often accompanied by edema. In severe cases, blisters, bullae, and even erosions and exudates may occur. The skin lesions reach a peak within 1-2 days and generally disappear rapidly within 3-5 days after stopping contact. There are mild bran-like scales locally, and temporary mild pigmentation is often secondary. There is burning pain and mild itching in some cases.

2. Melanosis is very common. The disease is often symmetrically distributed on the exposed parts of the face and neck, and also affects the forearms. It is particularly prone to occur around the eyes, temples, forehead hairline and inner corners, and to a lesser extent around the cheeks beside the nose and around the mouth. The lesions are mostly flaky and dark in color, ranging from brown to dark brown to brown-black, sometimes with a slight brown-red or lavender color. Their sizes and shapes vary, and most of them have blurred edges. Pigmentation on the forearm is often centered on the pores, and the affected pores are mildly keratinized; sometimes light brown with gray-purple pigmentation spots alternate with normal skin, blending into a cloud-like appearance. When the disease occurs, there is often a history of recurrent attacks of asphalt phototoxic dermatitis, often accompanied by asphalt acne. The disease is a chronic process. Sun exposure makes the condition worse. Disengagement leads to a desire to get better, and ultimately to recovery.

3. Acne: Occupational acne caused by asphalt is mainly manifested by blackheads, broken vellus hairs and folliculitis. The disease is prone to occur in direct contact areas, such as the face, back of fingers, back of hands and forearms. It also often affects areas of clothing contaminated by asphalt, such as the extensor surface of the thigh, and occasionally occurs on the trunk. Blackheads are black spots in enlarged pores, often with small whitish nodules underneath. Blackheads caused by asphalt are generally larger and more scattered than those caused by chlorides. They are mainly located on the face, especially between the temples, eyebrows, and both sides of the nose. The eyelids and auricles may also be affected. Folliculitis red papules are follicular papules with yellow-white pustules on the top. In severe cases, they evolve into boils and nodules, which may leave scars. They are often scattered on the face and forearms. The vellus hairs are broken and coarsened, the local pores are often dilated, and there is mild keratinization, which is mainly distributed on the back of the first finger and the radial extensor surface of the forearm. The onset of this disease is not limited by age. There are no subjective symptoms, such as dryness sometimes accompanied by pain when folliculitis and furunculosis occur.

4. Wart-like growths often occur on the back of the hands, wrists and face, and may also affect the scrotum and other places. Similar to flat warts, the surface is skin color - light brown - brown flat asphalt papules, the size of a needle cap or mung bean, round or irregular in shape, rough or smooth on the surface, and with clear boundaries. Scattered or densely distributed. ?No subjective symptoms or slight itching. Generally, the longer the working years, the higher the incidence rate and the more skin lesions. Warty growths may regress spontaneously or develop into epithelial tumors.

5. Thermal burns? Mostly caused by splashing, falling, and other accidents. Hot liquid asphalt causes thermal burns to the skin. The clinical manifestations are similar to those of general thermal burns, except that the affected skin surface is covered with black asphalt, which adheres tightly to the wound and is difficult to remove. Eye, nose and throat symptoms: The damage to the eyes caused by asphalt dust and smoke is mainly blepharoconjunctivitis, sometimes accompanied by superficial macular keratitis. Among those with longer working experience, pterygium accounts for a certain proportion. The nasopharynx often feels dry and burning, which can also cause rhinitis, pharyngitis, etc. Systemic symptoms: After smelling asphalt, you may experience dizziness, head swelling, headache, chest tightness, fatigue, nausea or cough, palpitations, tinnitus and other discomforts, especially when operating under the scorching sun. Symptoms often improve quickly when you are out of contact (such as after work). In severe cases (such as severe phototoxic dermatitis), fever may occur.

The above is what I have introduced to you about the harm of asphalt to the human body. Asphalt is not only harmful to the human body, but also harmful to the environment and can cause pollution to the atmosphere. If we have a lot of opportunities to come into contact with asphalt in our lives and experience adverse reactions such as acne, dizziness, chest tightness, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, etc., we must leave the asphalt environment as soon as possible and breathe fresh air. If the condition is serious, consider seeking medical attention in time.