Ammonia – Short-term (acute) inhalation causes severe irritation of the respiratory tract. Skin contact results in burns, blistering, and possible permanent scarring. Eye contact causes irritation and possible corrosive injury. Nitrogen compounds such as ammonia, cyanides, and amines may be formed from the nitrogen-containing urea, ammonium salts, and hexamethylenetetramine that are used as binder chemicals.

 

Benzene – Short-term (acute) inhalation causes depression of the central nervous system marked by drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of coordination, confusion, and unconsciousness. Long-term exposure reduces the number of red and white blood cells and damages bone marrow. Benzene is carcinogenic.

 

Carbon dioxide – Gaseous carbon dioxide is an asphyxiant. Concentrations of 10% (100,000 ppm) or more can cause unconsciousness or death. Lower concentrations may cause headaches, sweating, rapid breathing, increased heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, mental depression, visual disturbances, and shaking.

 

Carbon monoxide – Inhalation of carbon monoxide causes symptoms that include headaches, weakness, dizziness, nausea, fainting, increased heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, and death.

 

Methane – Aside from being highly explosive, methane exposure in high concentrations can lead to methane poisoning. Even though it is relatively nontoxic, its primary threat is that it functions as an asphyxiant—similar to the threat posed by carbon monoxide exposure. When inhaled, it displaces ambient air and deprives the body of the oxygen needed to breathe. Low concentrations are generally not harmful, but higher concentrations lead to less oxygen availability, and a range of symptoms may be experienced, including:

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▪ Rapid breathing

▪ Increased heart rate

▪ Clumsiness and dizziness

▪ Decreased vision,
  especially in low lighting

▪ Euphoria

▪ Decreased alertness

▪ Loss of memory

▪ Weakness

▪ Fatigue

▪ Emotional responses

▪ Nausea and vomiting

▪ Fainting and collapse

▪ Convulsions

▪ Coma

▪ Death

 

Oxygen – When oxygen is enriched things ignite more easily, and they can burn hotter and more fiercely. Extinguishing a flame can become almost impossible. Breathing oxygen at higher than normal partial pressure leads to hyperoxia and can cause oxygen toxicity or oxygen poisoning. Symptoms may include disorientation, breathing problems, and visual changes such as myopia and cataract formation. Extended exposure to above-normal oxygen partial pressures, or shorter exposures to very high partial pressures, can cause oxidative damage to cell membranes that leads to the collapse of the alveoli in the lungs. Pulmonary effects can present as early as within 24 hours of breathing pure oxygen. Symptoms include pleuritic chest pain, substernal heaviness, coughing, and dyspnea secondary to tracheobronchitis and absorptive atelectasis which can lead to pulmonary edema. Pulmonary symptoms typically abate 4 hours after cessation of exposure in the majority of patients.

 

Nitrogen dioxide – Nitrogen dioxide inhalation causes acute and chronic respiratory disorders. Nitrogen dioxide emissions in the steel industry can come from repeated combustion processes using coal in the furnace as an iron reducing agent. Due to the high temperatures, nitrogen oxide formation is almost unavoidable in connection with the combustion of fuel, since the nitrogen is in the air.

 

Sulphur dioxide – Sulfur dioxide emissions are directly related to the combustion of oil in reheating furnaces and for coke production. In addition to eye irritation, sulfur dioxide affects the respiratory system, particularly lung function; it irritates the respiratory tract, increases the risk of tract infections, causes coughing and mucus secretion, and aggravates conditions such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.