What Injuries Or Effects Can Be Sustained By Exposure To Chemical Fumes In The Workplace?

What Injuries or Effects Can Be Sustained By Exposure to Chemical Fumes in The Workplace?

Inhaling or being exposed to fumes in the workplace can bring a range of dangers depending on the nature of the product involved and the amount of it that someone is exposed to. Different types of chemicals can affect the body in different ways including:

Carcinogen – a chemical that causes or potentially causes cancer; for example: asbestos

Corrosive – a chemical that causes visible destruction of, or irreversible alterations in living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact; for example: hydrochloric acid

Irritant – a chemical that is not corrosive but causes inflammatory effects on living tissue at the site of contact; for example: strong solvents

Mutagen – a chemical that can damage chromosomes; for example: benzene

Sensitiser – a chemical that will cause an allergic reaction in a substantial number of exposed people; for example: isocyanates

Teratogen – a chemical that causes birth defects; for example: thalidomide

In some cases exposure to fumes can cause an instant, acute reaction such as light-headedness, nausea or even unconsciousness. In severe cases the danger can be compounded by the sufferer losing balance or consciousness and subsequently falling or becoming injured in addition to the chemical exposure. These situations are more likely to occur in the case of a leak or accident where those exposed were not planning be so, hence not using suitable breathing or protective equipment.

In other cases the damage caused by the inhalation of fumes can go unnoticed for many years. Carcinogenic fumes (those that cause cancer) are notorious for the lack of any warnings before lung disease and breathing issues begin to cause problems.

Some common effects of exposure to hazardous chemical fumes include:

Asthma resulting from sensitisation to isocyanates in paints and adhesives

Long-term disability from lung diseases following exposure to dusty and fume-filled environments

Death or injury from exposure to toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide

Cancer causing death many years after the first exposure to carcinogens at work such as asbestos

Since the banning of smoking in public places was introduced, the air in many of our working environments has become significantly cleaner and the risks linked to passive smoking have reduced considerably because as we know; smoking and even passive smoking (inhaling other people’s cigarette smoke) have strong links to lung cancer and other lung conditions.

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