Can I use galvanizing in a steam room? Toxicology of zinc and its compounds
The time when a brick chimney or an asbestos pipe was traditionally used as a smoke exhaust system is long gone. At the moment, many analogues have appeared (stainless steel pipes, ceramics, sandwich), surpassing the latest versions in technical and thermal insulation characteristics. One of the possible options for arranging a smoke exhaust system is a galvanized steel chimney.
Can galvanized pipes be used for a chimney
Making a chimney from galvanized metal is probably one of the most controversial decisions. On the one hand, this option is much cheaper than stainless steel counterparts, on the other hand, there are fears (not without reason) that the use of galvanized coating will affect the health of those who live in the building.Before choosing a chimney of this type, you will need to take into account the possible risks and nuances of operation.
Damage to galvanized chimneys
It is possible to use stainless steel galvanized pipes for the chimney, but it will be necessary to take into account certain nuances associated with the operation and characteristics of the metal. One of the guides on galvanizing says the following:- Heating zinc over 419.5 ° C is dangerous. At this time, especially in conditions of high humidity, metal oxide is formed. The fumes are poisonous and can lead to severe poisoning.
- Pure zinc is not dangerous for human health and is contained in his body: teeth, pancreas, blood, etc.
- Technical zinc is especially dangerous - during production, to give the metal the necessary technical characteristics, arsenic, antimony and lead are added to the impurity.
It is worth making a chimney of galvanized steel when connected to heating equipment with an exhaust gas temperature of no more than 350 ° C. As a rule, you can safely use the pipe in conjunction with gas appliances: columns, boilers and convectors.
The service life of the galvanized chimney
The service life of the pipe depends on many factors, but in general, the chimney may well last up to 10 years, without loss of tightness. To increase the service life, you should adhere to the following recommendations:
Subject to all technical conditions, the galvanized pipe is guaranteed to last at least 10 - 15 years.
Types of galvanized iron smoke exhaust pipes
The consumer is offered single-wall and double-wall galvanized pipes. For ease of installation, manufacturers produce all the necessary components: tees, inspection channels and condensate traps. Standard range of diameters supported. Ordering a pipe or adapters of non-standard sizes at the factory will be quite problematic.In order to select the necessary material for the smoke exhaust system, you will need to take into account the technical characteristics, the resistance of the material to burnout and the effects of an acidic environment, as well as the basic operating capabilities.
Galvanized chimney sandwich
Double-circuit insulated chimney pipes made of galvanized sheet are available in two modifications:
The inner layer of the pipe should be made of metal with a thickness of 1 mm, for the outer layer, 0.5 mm is enough.
Technical data of heat-insulated outdoor chimneys in a galvanized casing are almost identical to those of their counterparts made entirely of stainless steel. To increase the service life, the outer contour can be painted.
Galvanized single wall chimneys
The product has a simple design. The technology for manufacturing chimneys from galvanized steel is as follows:
Galvanized steel must be at least 1 mm. SNiP, it is allowed to install a galvanized chimney with a thickness of 0.8 mm. But as practice shows, such products quickly burn out and become unusable.
The galvanized chimney quickly burns out in the following cases:
- There is no insulation.
- Incorrect pipe thickness.
- Non-compliance or disruption of the production process. Galvanizing is made from carbon steel, according to GOST 14918-80.
Installation of galvanized flue gas pipes
Most manufacturers, when selling a kit of a smoke exhaust system, attach detailed instructions for installation with their own hands. It is not difficult to mount the structure yourself, it is enough to take into account some of the features that are well known to professionals:
Installation is carried out in accordance with existing fire regulations and SNiP.
Rules for outdoor and indoor pipe arrangement
Correct installation of a chimney made of galvanized pipes indoors requires compliance with the following recommendations:- The distance to the supporting structures is at least 1 m.
- Fire cutting, when passing the floor slab with an insulated pipe, not less than 50 mm, not insulated 150 mm. The gaps are filled with non-combustible insulation.
- Sealing the galvanized chimney is a prerequisite for operation. The joints are treated with a silicone-based refractory sealant.
- It is forbidden to install structures without insulation. The disadvantages of a cold galvanized chimney are increased condensate production, short service life and the likelihood of back draft.
- The height of the pipe is calculated depending on the distance between the chimney and the ridge. The pipe, located at a distance of up to 1.5 m, is raised at least 0.5 m above the highest point of the roof. The design of the smoke exhaust, removed by 1.5-3 m, is made flush with the ridge.
- When used for a stove or solid fuel boiler, a spark arrestor is installed on the chimney head.
- Fasten the chimney made of galvanized iron using special brackets, in a strictly vertical position. The horizontal sections of the chimney should not exceed 3 m.
The use of insulated galvanized pipes for chimneys reduces the amount of condensate falling out on the inner walls of the circuit and, accordingly, increases the service life.
How and what to insulate a galvanized chimney
If you independently insulate the chimney pipe made of galvanized steel from condensate, you can reduce the cost of the structure by 1.5-2 times. To complete the work, you will need the following:- Thermal insulation - mineral non-combustible insulation with a low degree of moisture absorption is used. Material thickness is not less than 5 mm.
- Protective layer - the top of the mineral insulation is covered with foil material. The layers are fixed with knitting wire or clamps.
It is possible to install an insulated galvanized chimney for gas boiler equipment, stoves, fireplaces and other equipment.
Is it possible to paint a galvanized chimney
Galvanized steel turns white over time. This is due to the oxidation of the zinc coating. The appearance of the product and its strength characteristics are significantly deteriorated. To avoid the loss of metal properties, it is necessary to paint the pipe.Ordinary enamel, literally in a few months, will begin to peel off and fall off the surface.
Roofing iron paint is used to paint the chimney. Painted zinc plating is guaranteed to last longer, at least 5 years.
Galvanized chimney - questions and answers
Like any other material used in the manufacture of chimneys, galvanized steel has its pros and cons. Creation of the correct operating conditions, improves technical characteristics and increases the service life of the metal.
Customers have been observed asking the same questions over and over again. Some, the most typical, experienced assembly crews tried to give an answer.
What are the requirements for galvanized steel used for chimneys?
The best option would be to use a chimney made of galvanized steel, grade AISI 309. It is an alloy containing chromium, nickel and zinc. The composition provides high heat engineering characteristics: resistance to burning out, high temperatures.
AISI 309 is an acid resistant zinc plating. The optimum pipe wall thickness is 1 mm. Provided that a sandwich construction is used, the thickness of the outer layer can be reduced to 0.5 mm.
What to do if water is constantly dripping from the galvanized pipe?
The reason lies in the accelerated formation of condensation in the pipe. Increased condensation, in turn, indicates several mistakes made during installation.- Wrong pipe height - as a result, insufficient and reverse thrust is formed, which provokes the formation of moisture in the pipe.
- Non-insulated pipe - clean galvanized, without insulation superimposed on top, is the main reason for the increased accumulation and appearance of liquid.
How to clean a galvanized pipe from soot?
The safety of a galvanized steel chimney largely depends on regular maintenance of the structure. It is imperative that soot does not build up inside the circuit. There are several reasons for this:- Ignition of soot - the combustion temperature is about 1000 ° C, for deformation and burnout of the pipe a little more than 500 ° C is required.
- Acid Exposure - Soot is the main chemical required for condensate to convert to a potent acid.
It is better not to use mechanical devices for cleaning. This cleaning leaves scratches on the inner surface and leads to accelerated accumulation of soot. The galvanized chimney will last for 10 years, only where they take care of the removal of combustion products.
What is better for a chimney - galvanized or stainless steel?
Comparing chimneys made of stainless steel and galvanized, one can come to the conclusion about a clear advantage of the former, in terms of service life and reliability, and the latter, in terms of cost. Prices for galvanized pipes are approximately 2-3 times less than for stainless steel counterparts.On the other hand, stainless steel chimneys are guaranteed to last at least 25 years. And as practice shows, often the owners order the replacement of a galvanized steel chimney with a stainless steel chimney, already after 2-3 years of operation.
It is worth mentioning the possible harm of zinc to humans, which makes it impractical to use a pipe when connected to heating equipment with a high temperature of exhaust gases. It is not recommended to use galvanizing for a fireplace, solid fuel boiler, wood-burning stove, etc.
Zinc single wall pipes are best used as a temporary chimney. The use of this material for change houses, garages and other non-residential premises will be optimal. In apartments and private houses, sandwich chimneys should be installed - internal stainless steel, external galvanized.
Which chimneys are better - enameled or galvanized?
Enamel reliably protects the pipe from corrosion, and the person from the evaporation of heavy and poisonous metals. From a safety point of view, enamelled pipes are better than galvanized pipes. The disadvantage of chimneys covered with enamel is the susceptibility of the protective coating to mechanical stress. From a blow, the enamel is capable of breaking off. Installation must be done with extreme caution.The installation of the flue gas system must be carried out using galvanized sandwich pipes for the chimney. It is better to use constructions without insulation only as a temporary measure. After a few years, it is better to replace the cold pipe with a stainless steel one, or install a ceramic flue system. Without proper insulation, the pipe, at best, will last only 1-2 heating seasons.
Zinc - this fragile silvery bluish-white metal, cannot be replaced by anything, its properties are unique for industry and even for medicine. The thirtieth element of Mendeleev's periodic table belongs to transition metals. This means that it is capable of changing the oxidation state, it has a slight electronegativity, and, in general, is a bit similar in properties to its closest neighbor with the previous serial number 29 - on. Even at the end of the 18th century, it, together with copper, was used as elements of a voltaic column, which was capable of supplying direct current. Therefore, zinc can be considered an important substance that stood at the origins of the study of electricity.
Zinc in its pure form
But, in addition to the undoubted benefits, there is also the harm of zinc to humans. Over the years of study and work with this metal, many cases of both acute and chronic zinc poisoning, both a simple element and substances containing it, have been identified. What compounds are toxic? What to do in case of zinc poisoning and what are the signs of zinc poisoning? But before talking about this, it is necessary to recall those industries where this element is used and its role in human life.
Application of metal and compounds
Humanity has long learned to smelt pure zinc in a metallic form. For example, coins from this metal are known. Its properties make it possible to extract precious metals from lead, which are then smelted in their pure form in refineries. In everyday life, everyone knows the so-called galvanizing of metal surfaces, which reliably protects products from corrosion. The simplest example is a galvanized trough or bucket.
Zinc coins
A lot of the element is consumed by the electrical industry. It is part of batteries and various accumulators, including silver-zinc cells, chromium-zinc, lead-zinc and others. It is irreplaceable in the printing industry: many large-circulation illustrations are produced using zinc clichés, which are etched with special acids.
An interesting article about the recycling of zinc from batteries -.
This element is used in electrical engineering. The addition of a small amount of it to the solder lowers their temperature, and it becomes easier to work with solders. If you fuse copper with zinc, you get brass, which is used in industries ranging from weapons to plumbing.
The paint and varnish industry cannot do without it. The oxide of this metal is part of the white paint, which artists call zinc white. This compound is chemically inert and is widely used in medicine. It is part of various ointments, as it has an astringent and drying effect.
Some compounds of this metal are used in optics, for example, zinc selenide is able to make optical glass practically not absorbing infrared rays. This ability is highly regarded in laser technology. This metal is necessary for the production of rubber, and in other sectors of the national economy.
And at almost all stages of working with this metal, care must be taken: the harm of zinc on the human body may be imperceptible, but as a result lead to chronic poisoning, for example, long-term poisoning with zinc vapor during welding with the development of the so-called "casting fever" is possible. In general, zinc poisoning during welding is one of the most common cases of intoxication with this element. But is the metal useful only in industry and technology, and for humans, zinc is a poison and only harms health? Not at all: in small doses, it is not only useful, but also irreplaceable.
Zinc and health
Yes, this is so: the human body cannot do without this element, and an adult man in the form of its various compounds in the body contains about 2 grams of this metal. Its concentration is highest in the liver, pancreas and muscle tissue. Several hundred (more than four hundred varieties!) Of human enzymes contain this metal, and it can rightfully be called a vital microelement.
It is needed for the synthesis of steroid hormones and full-fledged sperm in men, for the normal functioning of the prostate. In the absence of zinc, insulin cannot be produced in the pancreas, leading to severe diabetes. Finally, lovers of spirits should know that alcohol utilization is impossible without this metal, since this element is present in the main enzyme that breaks down ethanol - alcohol dehydrogenase. It is thanks to the successful work of this hepatic enzyme that the state of intoxication is eliminated.
The consumption rate of this substance for an adult has long been known. Nutritionists recommend consuming about 10 mg of the element per day. Sources are pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and halva. But most of all zinc is found in oysters. From vegetables, green peas contain a lot of trace elements, quite a lot of it in cocoa powder, in beef liver and in beef in general. Some varieties of mineral waters also contain zinc.
Zinc in food
But what happens if too much of it enters the body, and if it enters in an unnatural way, for example, through the respiratory system? What are the sources of harmful substances containing this metal in everyday life and industry? What causes the symptoms of zinc poisoning in humans?
Video - zinc pantry:
Sources of poisoning and harm
First of all, the entire source of harm is contained in the ionized forms of this metal, which has a valency of 2 + point.Of toxic compounds, all soluble salts can be called, especially with sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, that is, sulfates and chlorides of this metal, as well as zinc citrate. Being in solutions, ionized metal can cause severe intoxication. Just 1 gram of zinc sulfate is enough to cause serious harm to health.
Zinc sulphate
One should not think that these salts are found only in chemical production. They can often form at home, especially if food is stored in galvanized dishes for a long time. The simplest example is long-term storage of sauerkraut in such a bucket. The acid that is formed during the fermentation process removes the metal from the coating and can cause quite severe poisoning. Zinc phosphide is considered to be very poisonous - phosphorous zinc, this toxic chemical destroys rodents, and its penetration causes severe poisoning.
Galvanized cookware
When metal enters the body through the mouth, pathological changes occur in the kidneys, and at a significant dose, jaundice develops. With prolonged exposure, it affects the level of calcium in the blood, which decreases due to antagonism between these metals.
Zinc promotes the leaching of calcium from bone tissue, phosphorus metabolism is impaired, and osteoporosis develops. With prolonged exposure, this metal can contribute to the development of malignant neoplasms, and also causes infertility.
Oxide, being solid, is chemically inert, and is included in many medicinal ointments that dry the skin. The harm of zinc oxide occurs when inhaled. A characteristic sign of such zinc oxide poisoning will be a slight taste in the mouth (most often sweet), a strong decrease in appetite, and strong thirst. In general, the harm of zinc vapors and substances containing it in industrial conditions is incomparably higher than the harm from accidental ingestion of chemical compounds of this element.
Zinc oxide - used for the manufacture of various cosmetics (soaps, creams, etc.)
The main source of penetration of harmful compounds of an element into the body is the respiratory system. Most often, this path is implemented by workers employed in the mining industry and in the processing of ore. Metal fumes are extremely harmful if inhaled. There is a high risk of getting the so-called foundry fever among workers engaged in smelting zinc and brass, as well as among welders. What are the signs of zinc poisoning? How to recognize if zinc vapor poisoning has occurred during welding? And what is "foundry fever"?
Symptoms and signs of zinc poisoning
Foundry fever is the name given to the symptoms of zinc vapor poisoning, which are most common in metallurgical production. In addition to metallurgists, very severe harm with the development of casting fever occurs when welding with zinc, but it is not necessary to deal with an alloy that contains a large amount of metal. It is not necessary to cast or smelt brass or bronze when a large amount of metal oxide vapor is generated in the air. You can be an ordinary gas cutter, and cut a large number of metal structures, the surface of which has been covered with galvanized zinc, or, more simply, when cutting galvanized iron.
Hot-dip galvanizing - coating of metal structures with zinc in zinc baths
The health effects of zinc fumes are manifested in the following symptoms of casting fever: a person suddenly has a high fever, sweating, and nausea. Often there is an attack of unmotivated tremors, constantly thirsty, there is a feeling of complete breakdown and muscle pain in the limbs.
In some cases, an attack of casting fever is accompanied by dizziness and drowsiness, coordination of movements is impaired, and vomiting appears. Sometimes joint pain with severe swelling was noted, as well as a hemorrhagic rash in the form of small, punctate hemorrhages on the skin. It should not be assumed that zinc poisoning during welding only causes general symptoms. Electric and gas welders with long work experience often have various dermatitis, eye damage, or conjunctivitis, gastritis with low acidity and a high level of bilirubin in the blood.
From the point of view of toxicology, the vapors of this metal in the human body are oxidized, and the oxide penetrates deeply into the lung tissue, and binds to proteins, changing their configuration, or denatures the protein. Denatured proteins enter the bloodstream and cause a febrile reaction similar to an infectious disease or symptoms of zinc allergy. To understand what protein denaturation is, you can remember the usual process of boiling a chicken egg. Under the influence of high temperature, the transparent egg white turns into a dense white mass. This was the process of denaturation of albumin.
It is interesting that such a release of altered proteins into the blood leads to the development of insignificant immunity, and under repeated conditions of poisoning, resistance to such a harmful effect gradually develops. The worker's body finds an opportunity to fight the manifestations of the foundry fever. But this condition is short-lived. The constant and excessive penetration of metal into the body leads to a constant depletion of the body, and the symptoms of zinc allergy recur again. As a result, osteoporosis of bone tissue develops, and the risk of developing malignant neoplasms increases. With prolonged exposure, infertility develops, and the risk of malformations in the fetus.
Inhalation of metal dust is also a common symptom of zinc poisoning. If you are in contact with metal for a long time, hearing loss, weakness and sweating occur, workers become irritable, persistent insomnia and memory loss occur. In blood tests, anemia can be noted, when an X-ray of the lungs is performed, symptoms of emphysema and pneumosclerosis are noted.
Zinc dust
This metal builds up in nails and hair. The risk of chronic poisoning is especially high among shareholders, galvanizers, and workers in electrolysis shops. In some cases, the metal contributes to the development of contact dermatitis, as well as chronic sluggish inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx. Workers often suffer from sore throats, tonsillitis and rhinitis. Quite often, a characteristic symptom is dryness of the nasal mucosa, dry cough. According to the blood test, there is a decrease in the level of hemoglobin.
Poisoning with zinc phosphide is a little apart. This compound is unstable, and constantly degrades, releasing phosphine gas, or a combination of hydrogen with phosphorus. This gas smells strongly of garlic, as does the compound itself. Lures made from zinc phosphide are popular with rodents, again due to their strong aroma.
Zinc phosphate - found in rat poison
When working with this toxic chemical, a person always irritates the respiratory tract when inhaling phosphine, and with prolonged contact, severe pulmonary edema can develop with the development of a fatal outcome. A small amount of phosphine that has entered the body causes symptoms such as chills, general weakness, nausea and vomiting, thirst and diarrhea. For such poisonings, pain or a feeling of heaviness in the chest is characteristic, a feeling of fear appears. If contact with zinc phosphide is not stopped, then the progression will lead to the development of acute respiratory and cardiovascular failure, and the consequences of zinc and hydrogen phosphide poisoning can be the most dire. What is the treatment for poisoning with zinc and its compounds?
Basic principles of treatment
Of course, this refers to treatment acute zinc poisoning... Indeed, in the event that a patient's zinc allergy has led to the development of a chronic occupational disease, then the most important therapeutic factor will be the cessation of the intake of metal into the body, a rather long course of inpatient treatment followed by rehabilitation, and then, according to the conclusion of the examination, it is generally possible to transfer to another work.
What to do with the development of acute poisoning? How to treat zinc vapor poisoning during welding?
At the first symptoms of the onset of casting fever, which may occur several hours after prolonged contact with the vapors or dust of the element, it is necessary to urgently stop welding and go out into the fresh air. In severe cases, oxygen breathing is indicated. Shown to drink alkaline mineral waters, alkaline inhalation. For prophylactic purposes, a 5% glucose or saline solution is injected intravenously in order to reduce the temperature reaction caused by the entry of denatured proteins into the bloodstream.
The video, maybe a little off topic, but the master shows how to cook galvanized correctly:
In the event that a person has taken soluble zinc salt orally, then the treatment of zinc poisoning is reduced to urgent activities... It is necessary to flush the stomach with a large amount of fresh water with the addition of a 0.5% solution of tannin to reduce absorption, the intake of activated charcoal is shown, unitiol is prescribed as an antidote. It is strictly forbidden to prescribe anti-nausea and antiemetic drugs to the patient before or instead of gastric lavage.
Tannin solution
In the event that several hours have passed after swallowing, intestinal lavage and a high siphon enema along with gastric lavage may be necessary. Treatment is symptomatic; in the toxicology departments of hospitals, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, its calcium-disodium salt, and a compound such as dimercaprol are most often used. However, few data have been accumulated on the success of this treatment. In case of phosphide poisoning, the patient needs to induce vomiting by giving a mild potassium permanganate solution, then a saline laxative such as magnesia, alkaline water is prescribed, symptomatic treatment is carried out.
In conclusion, it should be said that the modern labor process in conditions of careful labor protection in production makes it possible to almost completely avoid various poisoning with zinc and its compounds. Most often, poisoning occurs during welding and gas-cutting work in artisanal conditions, as well as when doing radio engineering, soldering printed circuit boards at home without an exhaust hood, or ventilation for a long time.
If you know the harm of zinc and its compounds and the ways of their penetration into the body, then, even using the knowledge gained from this article, you can completely avoid poisoning. It is enough to use personal protective equipment, reduce the time of direct contact with zinc aerosol and provide fresh air flow into the working area. If these conditions are met, poisoning with zinc and its vapors will not occur at all.
Dear advice you do not seem to be bad, but you yourself re-read the site before publishing information on it? How can you use foil without a counter rail? Meaning? And it is useless to advise people in the steam room to make safety out of cement-bonded particle board and galvanized sheet (seen in the drawings) after heating them, there will be no health improvement of the body. I would like to advise you to fix it for Minerite and only stainless steel.
Dmitry, Tula.
Hello Dmitry from Tula!
When I published the information you did not like about the use of galvanized and cement particle boards, there was no trace of Finnish minerite of flam sheets on sale, and our site is already more than ten years old.
Now there are no problems with them, there is money - you can buy everything.
And I had to get to everything not only in construction literature, but also by typing. Yes, now we do not mount foil without a counter-rail; whenever possible, we advise clients to install stainless steel screens instead of galvanized sheets.
But to this day there is a galvanized screen and a framing of a metal homemade stove made of DSP sheets. Not very good, but there is no money, no time for rework, and has not yet died from bad ecology, allergies and fire.
When welding metals containing zinc, a sweetish taste really appears in the mouth, but the welding temperature is many times higher than the temperature behind the sauna stove, lined with fireclay bricks, and only then installed with a galvanized sheet-screen. With the same success, you can not steam bath brooms in galvanized basins installed on the stove in the steam room, where do you wet them?
And what - all bath accessories such as outlets-passages from bath pipes, outer shells of pipe sandwiches are made only of stainless steel? I have never seen, at best, only fire tubes, and sometimes water heating tanks. All of the above is from galvanized, and its temperature is not much lower than the temperature of the said screen.
About the stainless steel. Our company made (naturally, illegally) skewers from it. Kh18N9T, as far as I remember. So, in the barbecue at certain temperatures, there is no release of components of chromium, nickel, titanium, etc. into the barbecue? And the officially produced canning lids from the same metal under the program of consumer goods, after contact with canned mushrooms, for some reason, oxidized. The indignant grandmother ran into the shop to the head of the Quality Control Department and began to swing the driver's license, showing the blackened lid.
I will not retell the content of Internet forums, they provide a fairly large number of examples of the use of various materials and all their pros and cons. And your minerite can still burn, albeit with a not entirely correct installation technology. Tanks and those are on fire, along with the components included in them from stainless steel. The whole question is only in the heating temperature.
I do not exclude the possibility that over time they will recall with horror all the materials currently used in steam rooms and the effect they had on the bathers. And the notorious asbestos, dust, and other things were once considered completely unaffected by human health.
Lead aqueduct pipes, lead plates, mercury as the medicine of ancient Rome tell you nothing? Aluminum utensils from which we scraped semolina? Silver glasses, if constantly stored in them, can release unsafe doses of silver ions into it. Maybe in a dozen years they will recommend completely different materials for steam rooms.
Everything flows, everything changes.
However, I will not argue. What was good yesterday is becoming unacceptable today, and what will happen tomorrow is completely unknown to us.
In any case, thanks for the criticism.
P.S.
And finally - in our country there are tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of wells, from which water is collected with galvanized buckets.
So, should they be canceled or kept? After all, there is still contact between zinc and water, albeit at a minimum temperature.
Other questions on the arrangement of the Russian bath.
December 9, 2016
Many bath lovers often wonder about the use of galvanized steel, among the people of galvanized steel, in the construction of baths and saunas. In this article we will try to answer this question.
In fact, the use of galvanized steel is safe, in its normal state it does not pose any threats. The greatest danger is achieved at elevated temperatures and when interacting with water; under these conditions, zinc vapor spreads. Under these conditions, zinc oxide is released.
Of course, many experts will say that zinc oxide is used in areas such as cosmetology. This is undoubtedly true, but one must understand that the metallurgical industry and the cosmetology industry are completely different, and, accordingly, the approach to the selection, storage and use of materials is completely different. Therefore, this argument is completely meaningless.
Zinc oxide, in its excessive presence in the human living space, can cause zinc fever. As mentioned above, zinc vapors are the most dangerous for humans, therefore, poisoning occurs most often by inhalation.
Symptoms may include:
1) Sweetness in the mouth, and after several hours thirst;
2) Compression in the chest area;
3) cough;
Unfortunately, many manufacturers of stoves and chimneys do not attach any importance to this, this is done to save money. Galvanizing costs significantly less compared to stainless steel. Therefore, when making the purchase of chimneys and electric stoves, you should pay attention to this factor. It is especially important to inspect the materials from which the internal elements of the electric fireplace are made.
We hope that going to the bathhouse will bring you extremely positive emotions and will only strengthen your health.
The industry uses metallic zinc and its compounds. Zinc oxide ZnO is used as a pigment for white paints, in the production of rubber, glass, ceramics, matches, dental cement, cosmetics, and also as a rubber filler and in electroplating.
In working rooms, ZnO can also be present in the form of a highly dispersed condensation aerosol during technical processes associated with heating zinc above its melting point. Zinc chloride and sulfate are used for wood preservation, in the pulp and paper industry, in the production of viscose fiber, zinc mineral paints, as a flux in hot galvanizing, tinning, and soldering.
Under industrial conditions, metallic zinc and its compounds enter the body mainly through the respiratory system and partially through the digestive tract as a result of ingestion of dust. Most of all, the toxic effect of zinc vapors and fine aerosol, which are formed during the melting of the zinc oxide metal, has been studied. When inhaled in significant concentrations, prof. disease - the so-called zinc, or foundry fever. Soluble zinc salts have a significant cauterizing effect on the skin and mucous membranes.
In chronic poisoning with zinc oxide, atrophic and subatrophic changes in the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, hypochromic anemia, gall, and intestinal tract can develop. disorders, sleep disturbances, increased fatigue, tinnitus, hearing loss. With prolonged exposure to zinc oxide dust on the human body, the development of slowly progressive pneumoconiosis is possible. With prolonged inhalation of zinc oxide dust in significant concentrations, moderate phenomena of pneumosclerosis and emphysema of the lungs develop, less often - fine-spotted dissemination due to the deposition of radio-opaque zinc oxide dust in the lungs; possible urobilinuria and porphyrinuria. On the back of the hands (mainly), irritation and ulceration of the skin is noted.
The clinical picture of chronic zinc chloride poisoning is associated with its sharply irritating effect on mucous membranes and on the skin, up to the development of dermatitis, as well as a weakly allergenic effect on the body. Inhalation of zinc chloride smoke causes cough, nausea, inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, bronchi, and lungs. In severe cases, perforation of the nasal septum is possible.
Zinc sulfate and zinc stearate are also irritating. Dry zinc sulfate and its concentrated solutions cause ulceration of the skin of the hands, especially their dorsum, like the so-called bird's eyes. Experimental data on the oncogenic effect of zinc and its compounds have been obtained.
Acute poisoning with zinc compounds has been reported upon inhalation of high concentrations of zinc oxide (for example, when zinc metal is heated above its melting point). The victims have a sweetish taste in the mouth, after 1-5 hours there is a strong thirst, painful tightness in the chest, dry cough, chills and other signs of casting fever. Inhalation of zinc chloride aerosol may cause pulmonary edema.
In case of poisoning with soluble zinc salts through the mouth, the victims also notice a metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, and salivation are observed. a burn of the mucous membrane of the mouth, esophagus, stomach develops, vomiting with an admixture of blood, abdominal pain, diarrhea, sharp agitation, involuntary twitching of certain muscle groups, cramps of the calf muscles, collapse and shock are possible. With a longer course of poisoning, acute renal failure develops.
Zinc poisoning treatment
First aid and emergency therapy for acute poisoning with soluble zinc salts, especially with their oral intake, consists in washing the stomach through a tube with a 3% sodium bicarbonate solution or 2% tannin solution, prescribing unitiol, intravenous glucose with ascorbic acid, calcium chloride, drinking alkaline mineral waters, warm milk, mucous broths, the appointment of saline laxatives. For inhalation poisoning with zinc and its compounds, prednisolone or other glucocorticoids are used.
Further treatment, as well as the treatment of chronic poisoning with zinc and its compounds, is symptomatic.
Prevention of poisoning with zinc and its compounds consists in the mechanization and sealing of processes associated with the melting of non-ferrous metals and other works, the creation of rational local and general ventilation, the use of personal protective equipment - respirators, industrial gas masks. protective ointments or fatty creams, etc., washing hands with alkaline solutions.
