Ethylenediamine Poisoning: An Insight

What Is Ethylenediamine?

Ethylenediamine (EDA) is a powerful sensitizer in topical treatments, especially antibiotic or steroid creams due to its ability to stabilize chemicals. It has frequently been observed that people react positively to ethylenediamine in a patch-test of a popular broad-spectrum antifungal or steroid cream, but recently it no longer contains ethylenediamine. However, there may still be generic versions or other products with a similar composition that do. Therefore it is infrequently used in cosmetics and toiletries, and ethylenediamine is not employed in ointment compositions.

Aminophylline, a xanthine bronchodilator used to treat asthma and other respiratory issues, also contains ethylenediamine as a component. Several antihistamines and anti-nausea drugs are among the other pharmaceuticals that include ethylenediamine or its derivatives.

What Are the Uses of Ethylenediamine?

EDA manufactures chelates, crop protection products, and bleach activators. In addition, it serves as an intermediary in processes for polyamide resins, lubricants, gasoline additives, and corrosion inhibitors. Apart from them, it is used in the manufacture of polyester resin.

What Are the Adverse Effects of Ethylenediamine Toxicity?

Acute Effects:

• Swallowed: This is because there is no supporting evidence from either animals or people. After consumption, the substance may still harm the person's health, particularly if there is already apparent organ damage (such as liver or kidney impairment). Heavy doses may result in mortality (death), and low doses result in morbidity (disease and ill health). Vomiting and nausea are side effects of digestive tract pain. Unintentional ingestion is not regarded to be a problem in a work environment.

• Inhalation: Ethylenediamine can irritate the throat, nose, mouth, and lungs when breathed. Acute side effects might include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Some potential symptoms include tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, dry mouth, fever, tremors, weakness, confusion, and incoordination. In some situations, it might lead to a heart rhythm disorder, heart failure, shock, a buildup of fluid in the lungs, and even demise.

• Eye: Research suggests that many people may develop eye discomfort from the content or experience. Extended eye contact may result in inflammation marked by a brief increase in

• Skin: Repeated exposure causes inflammation, redness, pain, burning feelings, skin scalds, and contact dermatitis. In addition, in the case of cuts and irritated skin, the entry into systemic circulation increases and promotes harmful effects.

Chronic Effects

• Long-term exposure leads to pneumoconiosis, which is caused due to particles of size 0.5 microns or less. The primary symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue, and weakness. The primary health consequence of concern in the workplace is respiratory tract hypersensitivity and asthma provocation. It is uncertain how the hypersensitive condition is induced.

What Are the First Aid Measures to Be Taken by Individuals?

• Inhaled: The sufferer must be taken outside and allowed to rest in a posture that allows for easy breathing. If breathing is difficult after inhalation, the person must be relocated to fresh air and keep them at rest in a breathing-friendly posture. A poison center or a doctor must be contacted if the patient has respiratory problems.

• Eyes: Eyes must be carefully rinsed for a few minutes with water. If contact lenses are present, they must be removed and rinsing must be continued.

• Decontamination: Any contaminated clothing must be removed.

• Skin: Rinsing the skin in the shower or washing well with soap and water can be beneficial. A doctor must be consulted if the patient gets skin rash or irritation.

• Ingestion: A poison center, doctor, or physician must be consulted if EDA is swallowed and the individual must be immediately shifted to the hospital.

What Is the Treatment for Ethylenediamine Poisoning?

Basic Medical Care:

• The airway must be cleared and aspiration must be done if required.

• Keep an eye out for indications of respiratory insufficiency and help ventilate as required. A non-rebreather mask can be used to provide oxygen at a rate of 10 to 15 l/min (liters per minute).

• The individual must be assessed for pulmonary edema, shock, or seizures and treated appropriately if required.

• Eyes should be quickly rinsed with water if they are contaminated. During transportation, both eyes must be frequently irrigated with normal saline.

• If the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool, providing 5 ml/kg up to 200 ml of water for dilution and rinsing the mouth can be helpful. Activated charcoal can also be administered.

• After decontamination, skin bumps must be dressed with dry, sterile dressings to protect them from organic bases, amines, and similar substances.

Advanced Care:

• If the patient is unconscious or has significant pulmonary edema, orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation is considered for airway management.

• Using a bag-valve-mask system and positive pressure ventilation methods may be helpful. Heartbeat must be monitored and arrhythmias must be treated as needed.

• In case of hypovolemia (decreased extracellular fluid volume), Ringer's lactate can be preferred.

• The individual is kept under observation for indications of fluid excess.

• If the patient exhibits symptoms of severe hypoxia, cyanosis, and cardiac compromise that are not responsive to oxygen, a methylene blue (one percent) solution is provided. Fluids are administered if there are symptoms of hypovolemia together with hypotension.

• Vasopressors could be useful if the patient does not respond to these treatments. Benzodiazepines such as Valium can be recommended to treat seizures.

How to Handle and Store Ethylenediamine?

• Ethylenediamine must be stored away from wood floors. Keep dry and away from things that might catch fire or readily oxidize. Appropriate safety equipment must be used during maintenance of break-ins or other circumstances when exposures may exceed predetermined exposure levels.

• Ethylenediamine that has spilled should not be placed back in the original containers; they should be taken out and thrown away.

• Washing the hands, face, forearms, and neck after exiting places off-limits and wearing fresh clothes is recommended. Eating, drinking, and smoking while at work, must be avoided, and hands must be washed before eating.

• The warnings and precautions recommended for the product must be observed owing to product residues (dust, solids) kept in this material's empty containers.

Conclusion

Ethylenediamine is a corrosive chemical, it can cause serious skin and eye burns as well as significant irritation. It can irritate the nose and throat when breathed in. Ethylenediamine may irritate the lungs, which can lead to coughing and/or shortness of breath when inhaled. So appropriate safety measures should be followed and the workers should be aware that regulatory judgments regarding chemicals made in one country are only completely appreciated within the context of that nation's legal structure. All national laws and regulations are subject to modification. Thus it is advisable to always check with the relevant regulatory authorities before working in such jobs.