Hazards of high voltage to the human body
Apr 04, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Hazards of high voltage to the human body generally include burns, electric shock injuries, and abnormal nerve potentials. High voltage can cause current to pass through the body, resulting in electric shock injuries. The severity of electric shock depends on factors such as voltage, current, resistance, current pathway, and duration of current flow. Mild electric shocks may cause only skin tingling and muscle twitching.
High voltage can pose various health hazards to the human body, including burns, electric shock injuries, and abnormal nerve potentials. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Burns
High voltage generates heat, which may lead to burns. The severity of burns depends on factors such as current density, current pathway, and duration of exposure. It is recommended that patients seek prompt medical attention and have their wounds properly cleaned and treated under a doctor's guidance.
2. Electric Shock Injury
High voltage can cause electric current to pass through the body, resulting in electric shock injuries. The severity of these injuries depends on factors including voltage, current, resistance, current pathway, and duration of exposure. Mild electric shocks may only cause skin tingling and muscle twitching, but severe shocks can lead to serious consequences such as cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, and nervous system damage. The affected individual should be removed from the electrical source immediately and receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) under medical guidance.
3. Abnormal Nerve Potentials
High voltage can disrupt normal nerve potentials, causing neurological disturbances that may lead to brain dysfunction or generalized lack of coordination. Prolonged exposure to high voltage environments may result in chronic damage to the nervous system. Medical treatment under a physician’s supervision—such as administration of medications like mecobalamin tablets or vitamin B1 tablets—may be necessary.
In addition, high voltage exposure may also cause cardiovascular system damage. Therefore, the risks posed by high voltage to the human body are extremely serious, and exposure to high voltage environments should be avoided as much as possible. If contact with high voltage environments is unavoidable, appropriate safety precautions must be taken, such as wearing insulating clothing and insulated gloves.
