Acute Exposure Guideline Level (AEGL)

Task 5
Acute Exposure Guideline Level (AEGL)
Acute Exposure Guideline Level (AEGL) is developed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It describes the various health issues to a human from exposure to different chemicals. These AEGL values are developed for chemicals which are airborne due to accidents like spill, explosions or any other forms of release of the chemicals.
The AEGL values are expressed as some concentration limits, above which when exposed will cause health effects to human beings. All AEGL values are measured and expressed as parts per million or milligrams per cubic meter (ppm or mg/m3) of a substance or chemical. They are designed to protect young and elderly population in general and those people who are susceptible

Case study
Material: Carbon Tetra Chloride (C.Cl4)
Description: It is a chemical with formula C.Cl4, which is colourless and non-flammable. It is usually used in Liquid form. It is been used as a solvent, fire extinguisher, refrigerant and as cleaning agent.
Lethal Toxicity Cases
First case was discussed about a male 22 years of age who was using the carbon tetra chloride for cleaning the floor. HE was admitted to the hospital and died after 6 days. Investigation showed that he was exposed to 250 ppm of carbon tetra chloride. He was reported to have head ache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea and generalised pain. The autopsy report showed that centri-lobular necrosis of the liver and interstitial edema and tubular degeneration in the kidney.
The second case was a female, who was also using carbon tetra chloride for cleaning purpose. The patient experienced nausea, vomiting, abdominal tenderness and anuria. She was died 12 hours after admission to the hospital. Autopsy revealed fatty degeneration and centri-lobular necrosis of the liver and tubular degeneration of the

Sudies of Norwood (1950) showed that people in different occupations exposed to Carbon Tetra Chloride reported nausea, headache, vomiting, vertigo, gastric upset, sore throat, abdominal issues, cough etc.
Studies of Kazantizis and Bomford (1960) showed that intermittent exposures to carbon tetrachloride at less than 100 ppm over typical occupational exposure scenarios may result in notable signs of toxicity. Studies by Stewart (1961) showed that at various exposure timings from 70 minutes to 180 minutes, people showed only minor indications of problems, that too after 48 hours of exposure.
Barnes and Jones (1967) reported three cases of work related exposure of Carbon Tetra Chloride, which shows that people experienced nausea, vomiting, dizziness, anuria etc, and were admitted to hospital.
As a summary, we can see that all the cases of non-lethal toxicity of human exposure to Carbon Tetra Chloride showed indications like nausea, vomiting, headache, general pains, dizziness