Final answer:
Chemicals that displace oxygen and may cause unconsciousness and death are known as asphyxiants. Carbon monoxide and cyanide are chemical asphyxiants that interfere with oxygen delivery and use in the body. Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent asphyxiation from these and similar hazards.
Step-by-step explanation:
A chemical that displaces oxygen in the ambient atmosphere, leading to unconsciousness and death, is typically referred to as an asphyxiant. Asphyxiants can either be simple, displacing oxygen in the air, or chemical, affecting the way the body uses oxygen. Examples of chemical asphyxiants include carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen cyanide, which interfere with cellular respiration and the oxygen transportation in the blood, thus preventing the delivery of oxygen to the body's tissues. Both chemicals can result in dizziness, unconsciousness, and potentially death due to their disruption of oxygen utilization in the body.
Another example of a hazard that can lead to oxygen displacement is carbon dioxide (CO2), which, while not toxic itself, can result in the displacement of oxygen particularly in confined spaces, leading to asphyxiation. Similarly, exposure to high levels of ozone can affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and is linked with early death and reproductive health issues. Organophosphates, commonly used in certain pesticides, act as nerve agents and can cause acute toxicity and death through respiratory failure.
It is crucial in environments with the potential for exposure to such hazards to have proper ventilation and detection systems in place to prevent asphyxiation and other health risks associated with oxygen displacement.