Fumes

Exhaust fumes – a silent killer in the workplace

Look at these pictures. You know these situations, right?

Exhaust gases produced during the combustion of fuels – gasoline, diesel, LPG, as well as those accompanying the welding process – are extremely dangerous to both humans and the environment. They contain a number of toxic chemical compounds, such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), benzene, and even heavy metals.

Long-term exposure to exhaust fumes can lead to serious lifestyle diseases, such as:

• respiratory system tumors,
• heart attacks,
• asthma,
• allergies and other respiratory diseases.

What you absolutely must not do:

• Do not use combustion devices (cars, forklifts, power generators, welding machines, etc.) indoors without adequate ventilation or exhaust systems.
• Do not leave the engine running idling in garages, warehouses, and halls – even for a moment.
• Do not weld in rooms without an effective welding fume extraction and air filtration system.

Symptoms of exhaust fume poisoning – don’t ignore them!

Exhaust gases, especially those produced by the combustion of gasoline and diesel, contain carbon monoxide (CO) – an odorless, colorless gas that works quickly and stealthily. You won’t even feel it, but it works. The first symptoms of poisoning may seem harmless:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• weakening,
• drowsiness.

But then it can only get worse.j:

• visual disturbances,
• breathing difficulties,
• loss of consciousness,
• death.

In rooms without ventilation, poisoning may occur. in a few minutes!
Never ignore these symptoms in yourself or your coworkers. Just turn off the device, open the door, and call for help. It is better to raise a “false alarm” than not to survive.