How Is Chemical Fumes Exposure Treated?

How Is Chemical Fumes Exposure Treated?

In situations when someone has inhaled or been exposed to dangerous chemical fumes, the first thing that must be done is to get them away from the fumes that are the cause of the problem. In some cases, it may be possible to instruct them to walk away from the danger area, but in some cases where people are already suffering the effects of the fumes, they may need assistance to vacate the area. If they have lost consciousness it might need more than one person to help them to get out – at which point the dangers that those helping the afflicted are imposing upon themselves must be considered.

In severe situations where the person who has been exposed to the fumes has lost consciousness, once they have been removed to a safe area they should be manipulated into the recovery position to reduce any risk of choking. Sometimes it may be necessary to perform CPR while waiting for emergency assistance to arrive.

Fortunately, a great number of inhalation and exposure situations do not lead directly to unconsciousness or death, but they still require specific responses to reduce ongoing injuries and illness.

For example, in cases such as carbon monoxide poisoning and other gas inhalations, oxygen is the mainstay of treatment for those exposed. If the lung damage is severe then mechanical ventilation might be necessary using a machine that forces air into the lungs to aid breathing. Mechanical ventilation can be delivered many ways; usually a plastic tube is inserted through the nose or mouth into the windpipe (trachea). If people need mechanical ventilation for more than a few days doctors may insert the tube directly into the trachea through a small incision in the front of the neck (tracheostomy).

In cases where mechanical ventilation or oxygen therapy are not suitable or necessary, a range of drugs that can help to open up the airways (called bronchodilators) might be used and corticosteroids such as prednisone can help reduce inflammation within the lungs.

In many cases people who are exposed to chemical fumes within the workplace can make a full recovery and experience no further problems, but sadly there are many situations when long-term damage can be caused, leading to breathing difficulties and other health issues that remain with the sufferer for the rest of their lives. Sometimes this means that while treatment is given, it might be to deal with symptoms of the exposure, rather than trying to repair the damage that it caused.

In terms of compensation, if you are exposed to chemical fumes that make you feel unwell but you go on to develop no further complications, the amount you could claim would be less than if you have developed a serious lung disease that affects your quality or length of life.

Contact us today for free, no obligation advice regarding your chemical fumes injuries claim – either by calling us free on 0800 122 3130, or by requesting a free call back, whereby one of our team will contact you at a time of your choice, to discuss your situation.

We’re here to help – contact us today.