Munitions Firefighting Practice Exam

Exposure to liquid hydrazine fumes may lead to which of the following?

1. Nausea

2. Seizures

3. Loss of vision

4. Coma

The correct answer is: Seizures

The exposure to liquid hydrazine fumes can lead to seizures due to its neurotoxic properties. Hydrazine is known to have harmful effects on the central nervous system, which can potentially trigger neurological reactions such as seizures. This is a serious concern in firefighting scenarios where hazardous chemicals are involved, as the inhalation of hydrazine vapors can affect brain function and lead to uncontrolled muscle contractions characteristic of seizures. In terms of the other options, while nausea can occur in cases of exposure to toxic substances, it is not the most serious effect compared to seizures and does not directly reflect the acute neurotoxicity associated with hydrazine. Loss of vision could also be a symptom of exposure to certain toxins, but it is less commonly documented with hydrazine specifically. Lastly, while coma is a severe outcome of many toxic exposures, it is typically associated with higher levels of toxicity and prolonged exposure, making seizures a more immediate and relevant concern related to hydrazine fumes.