Diborane Toxicity - A Detailed Overview of Its Health Effects and Management

Introduction:

Diborane has an insensitive, sickly sweet odor and is a colorless, highly combustible gas. It spontaneously ignites at ambient temperature in damp air at high concentrations. It produces hydrogen and boric acid when it combines with water. Vapors of diborane can gather in low-lying places because they are heavier than air. People who have only been exposed to diborane pose a low risk of secondary contamination to workers outside the hot zone. Diborane can result in thermal burns when it comes into touch with moist tissues like the eyes, skin, and upper respiratory tract. The exothermic reaction of hydrolysis results in burns. Diborane is a gas at room temperature, hence, it is unlikely to be consumed.

What Is Diborane?

Diborane is a colorless gas that smells dreadfully sweet and sickening at room temperature. It is typically transported in pressurized cylinders that have been diluted with helium, nitrogen, argon, or hydrogen. It produces hydrogen and boric acid when it combines with water. It easily mixes with air and generates explosive combinations. It will spontaneously fire at ambient temperature in damp air at high concentrations. The main harmful effects of diborane exposure are irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.

What Are the Different Routes of Exposure to Diborane?

The different routes of exposure to diborane are:

• Inhalation: The primary method of exposure to diborane is through inhalation. OSHA's (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) permitted exposure limit (PEL) for diborane is 0.1 ppm, and it has been observed that the odor threshold for this substance is between 2 and 4 ppm. Long-term, low-level exposures, like those that happen at work, can cause olfactory weariness and tolerance to the irritating effects of diborane. Odor does not adequately signal dangerous concentrations. Given that diborane is heavier than air, exposure to levels above the permissible exposure limit (PEL) may cause irritation of the skin, respiratory system, and eyes in poorly ventilated, enclosed, or low-lying areas. Children exposed to the same amounts of diborane as adults may experience higher doses due to their larger lung surface area to body weight ratios and higher minute volume to weight ratios. Additionally, due to their small stature and the higher concentrations of diborane found closer to the ground, they might be exposed to higher levels than adults in the same environment.

• Eye or Skin Contact: Direct contact with intense diborane fumes can result in cell death and ulceration as well as serious eye or skin burns.

• Ingestion: As diborane is a gas at room temperature, ingestion is unlikely to happen.

What Are the Uses of Diborane?

Lithium hydride and boron trifluoride react at a temperature of 25°C under the catalyzation of ether to generate diborane. Diborane is used in the production of semiconductor devices, rocket propellants, rubber vulcanizers, olefin polymerization catalysts, flame-speed accelerators, and as a doping agent.

What Are the Health Effects of Diborane?

The respiratory system, eyes, and skin are all irritated by diborane gas. It may result in the following:

• Coughing.

• Airway constriction.

• Edema of the lungs and eyes.

• Burning of the eyes, nose, and throat.

• Dizziness.

• Headaches.

• Weakness.

• Loss of coordination.

• Rarely, damage to the kidneys or liver may occur.

The exothermic character of the hydrolysis reaction results in local discomfort. People who already have respiratory conditions may be more vulnerable to diborane exposure.

What Are the Health Hazards of Acute Exposure to Diborane?

Diborane's irritating characteristics are principally responsible for its harmful effects. Diborane's local irritating effect is caused by the heat it produces when it reacts with water and other hydrolysis reaction byproducts like boron oxide. The onset of symptoms could be instantaneous or take a few hours. Chemicals rarely affect children the same way they do adults. It may be necessary to manage their treatment using different methods.

• Respiratory Effects: Diaphragmatic pain, chest tightness, breathlessness, coughing, and wheezing can all result from exposure to diborane. These signs and symptoms, which may not appear for up to 24 hours after initial exposure, may appear three to five days later.

Due to higher minute ventilation per kg (kilogram) and slower evacuation times when exposed to the gas, children may be more susceptible to exposure.

• Dermal: Exposure to diborane fumes may cause skin irritation that appears as reddish skin.

• Ocular or Ophthalmic: High amounts of diborane can irritate, hurt, swell, or cause photophobia (abnormal sensitivity to light) in the eyes.

• Neurologic: After exposure to diborane, symptoms such as lightheadedness, headaches, weakness, central nervous system depression, and incoordination have been observed.

• Other Potential Side Effects: Exposure to diborane may cause weakness and exhaustion. In some circumstances, metabolism and excretion might cause harm to the liver and kidneys.

What Are the Other Effects of Diborane Toxicity?

• Long-Term Exposure: It has been observed that long-term exposure to low concentrations of diborane can result in seizures, convulsions, lethargy, drowsiness, confusion, abnormal EEG responses, and voluntary muscular spasms. Others have complained of experiencing fever, chills, vertigo, and headaches. Bronchitis caused by asthma can also happen. Children's potential for a longer latency period makes chronic exposure potentially more dangerous.

• Carcinogenicity: Diborane's potential to cause cancer has not been determined.

• Effects on Reproduction and Development: Regarding diborane's effects on reproduction or development in experimental animals or people, there is no information available. Diborane, which is of concern due to its well-known detrimental effects on reproduction and development, is not one of the 30 compounds included in Reproductive and Developmental Toxicants, a 1991 report by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO).

How Is Diborane Toxicity Managed?

There is little chance that victims of diborane gas exposure will cause secondary contamination of rescue workers. To prevent self-exposure to diborane, rescuers visiting locations with high concentrations should use the proper protective gear. "Immediately dangerous to life or health" is defined as 15 parts per million (ppm) of air. The toxicity caused by diborane has no specific treatment. Supportive care is provided.

1. Hot Zone:Before entering the hot zone, rescuers should be properly trained and outfitted. The assistance should be sought from a local or regional HAZMAT (hazardous materials) team or other appropriately equipped response organization if the required tools are not on hand or if the rescuers lack experience in using them.

• Rescuer Protection: Diborane is a serious skin and respiratory tract irritant.

• Respiratory Prevention: Using positive-pressure, self-contained breathing equipment (SCBA) is advised in reaction circumstances where there may be exposure to diborane at levels that are potentially dangerous.

• Skin Protection: Because diborane gas can burn and irritate the skin, chemical-protective clothing needs to be used.

• Reminders for ABC: Establish a patent airway as soon as possible, and ensure adequate breathing and heartbeat. Maintain cervical immobilization manually if trauma is suspected, and where practical, apply a cervical collar and a backboard. Direct pressure should be used to halt bleeding.

• Removal of Victims: If the sufferers are mobile, guide them to the Decontamination Zone from the hot zone. If gurneys or backboards are unavailable, victims should be carefully carried or pulled to safety if they are unable to walk. In particular, children who can experience separation anxiety if removed from a parent or other adult should be given proper care for their anxiety.

2. Zone of Decontamination: Decontamination is not necessary for diborane gas exposure victims who do not experience skin or eye irritation. They might be moved right away to the support zone. All other cases call for the following decontamination procedures.

• Rescuer Defense: Personnel wearing less protection than that required in the hot zone may perform decontamination if exposure levels are deemed safe.

• ABC Reminders: Establish a patent airway as soon as possible, and ensure adequate breathing and heartbeat. If trauma is suspected, use a collar and a backboard to support the cervical spine. Whenever necessary, give out extra oxygen. If necessary, use a bag-valve-mask device to aid ventilation. Direct pressure should be used to stop bleeding.

• Fundamental Decontamination: If they are able to, victims can help with their own decontamination. Take off infected clothing and personal items, then double bag them.

• Use a lot of plain water to thoroughly rinse exposed skin and hair for at least 15 minutes. Take extra precautions when decontaminating victims, especially young or old ones, to avoid hypothermia. After decontamination, use warmers or blankets as necessary.

• Do not irrigate the eyes of someone who has suffered frostbite. Otherwise, rinse exposed or irritated eyes for at least 30 minutes with plain water or saline. Eye irrigation can be done concurrently with other basic medical care and transportation. If it is possible to remove the contact lenses without causing more damage to the eye, do so. Continue irrigation while moving the subject to the support zone if pain or injury is apparent.

• At the exposure site, take proper care to manage chemically affected youngsters. During decontamination, reassure the youngster, especially if they become separated from a parent.

3. Move to the Support Zone: After the victim has undergone basic decontamination, transfer them to the support zone.

• Support Area: Make sure victims have received the required decontamination. Rescuers are not seriously at risk of secondary contamination from victims who have undergone decontamination. Personnel from the support zone do not require specific protection gear in such circumstances.

• Reminders for ABC: Make sure the patient has a patent airway, appropriate breathing, and a healthy pulse. Maintain cervical immobilization manually if trauma is suspected, and where practical, apply a cervical collar and a backboard. Establish intravenous access if required and give additional oxygen as needed. Put on a heart monitor. Keep an eye out for symptoms of airway edema and blockage, such as cyanosis, stridor, or developing hoarseness.

• Further Decontamination: Keep rinsing the eyes and any exposed skin as necessary.

4. Advanced Therapy:

• Secure the airway and respiration with endotracheal intubation in conditions of respiratory compromise. If cricothyrotomy can be done, do it unless it is impossible and only those who are qualified to.

• Patients with bronchospasm should be treated with an aerosolized bronchodilator, such as Albuterol.

• For children who experience stridor, think about using racemic epinephrine spray. Dose 0.25 to 0.75 mL of a 2.25 percent racemic epinephrine solution, and repeat as necessary every 20 minutes, keeping in mind myocardial variability.

• Advanced life support (ALS) protocols should be followed while treating patients who are unconscious, hypotensive, have seizures, or have cardiac arrhythmias.

• Fluid delivery should start if shock or hypotension is present. Intravenous saline or lactated Ringer's solution 1,000 mL/hour bolus perfusion may be beneficial for adults with systolic pressure less than 80 mm Hg. Lower perfusion rates may be necessary due to higher adult systolic pressures. Give a 20 mL/kg bolus of normal saline to children with poor perfusion over a period of 10 to 20 minutes, and then infuse at a rate of 2 to 3 mL/kg/hour.

• If frostbite is present, it should be treated by being rewarmed in a water bath for 20 to 30 minutes at 102 to 108°F (40 to 42°C) or until a flush has returned to the affected area.

5. Transport to a Hospital: Only patients who have undergone decontamination or who do not require decontamination should be transferred to a medical facility. The use of "body bags" is not advised. Report the patient's status, the medication they received, and the anticipated time of arrival at the receiving medical facility to the base station.

6. Multi-Casualty Assessment: When dealing with several victims, get guidance from the base station doctor or the local poison control center. Patients who exhibit symptoms of considerable exposure, such as a severe or lingering cough, dyspnea, or chemical burns, should be taken to a hospital for assessment. Patients who just temporarily experience slight eye or throat irritation may be let go from the scene after their names, addresses, and phone numbers are taken down. If symptoms appear or return, they should be urged to consult a doctor right away. Serious respiratory symptoms could take up to 24 hours to manifest.

Conclusion:

Even minor exposures to diborane have the potential to result in shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and eye tearing, in addition to immediate irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Some of these symptoms and indicators could appear many hours after the encounter. Additionally, diborane exposure may result in headaches, tiredness, dizziness, and lack of coordination. It may be challenging to breathe after inhaling significant amounts of diborane due to the swelling of the lungs and throat linings. In general, the severity of the symptoms increases with the seriousness of the exposure. Although there is no treatment for diborane's effects, most people who have been exposed to it recover. Serious symptoms may necessitate hospitalization for those who have them.