Question
Exposure to gases is a common hazard in industries. The gases can be classified as simple, asphyxiating, and anesthetic gases. Which among the following are asphyxiating gases?
- Carbon monoxide
- Chloroform
- Cyanide gas
- Hydrogen
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
| A. |
1 and 3 |
| B. |
1 and 4 |
| C. |
2 and 3 |
| D. |
2 and 4 |
|
Correct Answer » A Explanation |
 |
- Asphyxiating gases interfere with the body’s ability to utilize oxygen, either by displacing oxygen or by interfering with its transport.
- Carbon monoxide (CO): A chemical asphyxiant that binds to hemoglobin with greater affinity than oxygen, preventing oxygen transport.
- Chloroform: An anesthetic gas, not primarily asphyxiating.
- Cyanide gas: A chemical toxin that inhibits cellular respiration, but it is not classified as an asphyxiant.
- Hydrogen: A simple asphyxiant that displaces oxygen in enclosed spaces, leading to hypoxia.
- Correct Answer:
– Carbon monoxide and cyanide gas are both classified as chemical asphyxiants. They interfere with the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity and cellular oxygen utilization, respectively, leading to tissue asphyxia.Incorrect Options:
– Chloroform is primarily an anesthetic gas and not an asphyxiant. It acts by depressing the central nervous system but does not interfere with oxygen delivery or utilization.
– Hydrogen is a simple asphyxiant. It displaces oxygen in the atmosphere, potentially leading to asphyxia, but does not chemically interfere with oxygen transport or utilization, making it distinct from carbon monoxide and cyanide gas in its mechanism.High-Yield:
– Asphyxiants are gases that cause significant harm by reducing the amount of oxygen available to the body’s cells either by displacing atmospheric oxygen or by interfering with physiological oxygen transport and utilization.
– Key example: Carbon monoxide specifically binds with hemoglobin more effectively than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which impairs the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. In contrast, cyanide inhibits cytochrome oxidase in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, leading to cellular respiration failure.