Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T08:03:20.708Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Confined-space accidents on the farm: the manure pit and the silo

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Lisa G. Shepherd
Lisa G. Shepherd*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Thomas–Elgin General Hospital, St. Thomas, Ont
*
Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Thomas–Elgin General Hospital, PO Box 2007, St. Thomas ON N5P 3W2; [email protected]

Abstract:

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Manure pits and silos are potentially dangerous, gas-containing confined spaces on the farm that may generate hazardous levels of hydrogen sulphide and nitrogen dioxide respectively. Although these inhalation injuries are uncommon, emergency physicians who work within transport distance of rural areas should be aware of the toxic agents involved and their acute management. This article reviews the toxicology, clinical manifestations and treatment of acute, farm-related hydrogen sulphide and nitrogen dioxide exposures.

Keywords

hydrogen sulphidesilonitrogen dioxidefarm accident
Type
Rural and Small Urban Issues Médecine Rurale et des Petits Centres Urbains
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 1 , Issue 2 , July 1999 , pp. 108 - 111
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 1999

References

1.National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Criteria for a recommended standard: working in confined spaces. Cincinnati (OH): NIOSH/Department of Health, Education and Welfare; 1979. Publ no 80–106.Google Scholar
2.Farm Safety Association. Farmsafe, fatality report. Guelph (ON): The Association; 1998. Publ no 23(2):7.Google Scholar
3.Groves, JA, Ellwood, PA.Gases in agricultural slurry stores. Ann Occup Hyg 1991;35:139–51.Google Scholar
4.Donham, KJ, Knapp, LW, Monson, R, Gustafson, K.Acute toxic exposure to gases from liquid manure. J Occup Med 1982;24: 142–5.Google ScholarPubMed
5.Farm Safety Association. Manure gas — hydrogen sulphide. Guelph (ON): The Association; 1985. Fact Sheet no. F-006.Google Scholar
6.From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fatalities attributed to entering manure waste pits — Minnesota, 1992. JAMA 1993;269:3098–102.Google Scholar
7.Beauchamp, RO, Bus, JS, Popp, JA, Boreiko, CJ, Andjelkovich, DA.A critical review of the literature on hydrogen sulphide toxicity. CRC Crit Rev Toxicol 1984;13:25–49.Google Scholar
8.Reiffenstein, RJ, Hulbert, WC, Roth, SH.Toxicology of hydrogen sulphide. Ann Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 1992;32:109–34.Google Scholar
9.Snyder, JW, Safir, EF, Summerville, GP, Middleberg, RA.Occupational fatality and persistent neurological sequelae after mass exposure to hydrogen sulphide. Am J Emerg Med 1995; 13:199–203.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Ellenhorn, MJ.Respiratory toxicology — hydrogen sulphide. In: Ellenhorn, MJ, editor. Ellenhorn’s medical toxicology: diagnosis and treatment of human poisonings. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins; 1997. p. 1489–93.Google Scholar
11.Burnett, WW, King, EG, Grace, M, Hall, WF.Hydrogen sulphide poisoning: review of 5 years’ experience. CMAJ 1977;117: 1277–80.Google Scholar
12.Arnold, IMF, Dufresne, RM, Alleyne, BC, Stuart, PJW.Health implication of occupational exposures to hydrogen sulphide. J Occup Med 1985;27:373–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Tvedt, B, Edland, A, Skyberg, K, Forberg, O.Delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae after acute hydrogen sulphide poisoning: affection of motor function, memory, vision and hearing. Acta Neurol Scand 1991;84:348–51.Google Scholar
14.Tvedt, B, Skyberg, K, Aaserud, O, Hobbesland, A, Mathiesen, T.Brain damage caused by hydrogen sulphide: a follow-up study of six patients. Am J Ind Med 1991;20:91–101.Google Scholar
15.Smith, RP, Kruszyna, R, Kruszyna, H.Management of acute sulphide poisoning: effects of oxygen, thiosulfate and nitrite. Arch Environ Health 1976;31:166–9.Google Scholar
16.Gregorakos, L, Dimopoulos, G, Liberi, S, Antipas, G.Hydrogen sulphide poisoning: management and complications. Angiology 1995;46:1123–31.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Beck, JF, Bradbury, CM, Connors, AJ, Donini, JC.Nitrite as an antidote for acute hydrogen sulphide intoxication? Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 1981;42:805–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Ravizza, AG, Carugo, D, Cerchiari, EL, Cantadore, R, Bianchi, GE.The treatment of hydrogen sulphide intoxication: oxygen versus nitrites. Vet Hum Toxicol 1982;24:241–2.Google Scholar
19.Vicas, I, Fortin, S, Uptigrove, OJ, Edwards, AM, McLean, D.Hydrogen sulphide exposure treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). Vet Hum Toxicol 1989;31:353.Google Scholar
20.Smilkstein, MJ, Bronstein, AC, Pickett, HM, Rumack, BH.Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for severe hydrogen sulphide poisoning. J Emerg Med 1985;3:27–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21.Whitcraft, DD, Bailey, TD, Hart, GB.Hydrogen sulphide poisoning treated with hyperbaric oxygen. J Emerg Med 1985;3:23–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22.Al-Mahasneh, QM, Cohle, SD, Haas, E.Lack of response to hyperbaric oxygen in a fatal case of hydrogen sulphide poisoning. Vet Hum Toxicol 1989;31:353.Google Scholar
23.Tomaszewski, CA, Thom, SR.Use of hyperbaric oxygen in toxicology. Emerg Med Clin N Am 1994;12:437–59.Google Scholar
24.Warenycia, MW, Goodwin, LR, Francom, DM, Dieken, FP, Kombian, SB, Reiffenstein, RJ.Dithiothreitol liberates non-acid labile sulphide from brain tissue of H2S-poisoned animals. Arch Toxicol 1990;64:650–5.Google Scholar
25.Zwemer, FL Jr, Pratt, DS, May, JJ.Silo filler’s disease in New York State. Am Rev Respir Dis 1992;146:650–3.Google Scholar
26.do Pico, GA.Hazardous exposure and lung disease among farm workers. Clin Chest Med 1992;13:311–28.Google Scholar
27.Elsayed, NM.Toxicity of nitrogen dioxide: an introduction. Toxicology 1994;89:161–74.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28.ouglas, WW, Hepper, NG, Colby, TV.Silo-filler’s disease. Mayo Clin Proc 1989;64:291–304.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
29.Greenbaum, R, Bay, J, Hargreaves, MD, Kain, ML, Kelman, GR, Nunn, JF, Prys-Roberts, C, Siebold, K.Effects of higher oxides of nitrogen on the anaesthetized dog. Br J Anaesth 1967;39:393–404.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30.Toothill, C.The chemistry of the in vivo reaction between haemoglobin and various oxides of nitrogen. Br J Anaesth 1967;39: 405–12.Google Scholar
31.Mayorga, MA.Overview of nitrogen dioxide effects on the lung with emphasis on military relevance. Toxicology 1994;89:175–92.Google Scholar
32.Epler, GR.Silo-filler’s disease: a new perspective. Mayo Clin Proc 1989;64:368–70.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed