Chemical and Gas Inhalation Claims

If you have sustained injury as a result of inhalation of chemicals or gases at work, our claim specialists at Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd can help. Inhaling these toxic substances can have short and long term effects on your health and overall wellbeing. For example, excessive levels of methane and carbon dioxide can cause impairment of the senses, fainting, and nausea.

Different types of chemicals and gases are used in industries such as clothing, food processing, plastic, manufacturing industries. Other industries that synthesize chemicals such as fertilizers, paints, pharmaceuticals, power production fuels, and agricultural products could also expose employees to chemical and gas inhalation.

Unfortunately, these employees may hardly be aware of the immediate and long term impact on their health. It is the employers’ duty to ensure they provide adequate protection and training for their employees. This protection will involve the provision of safety equipment for employees to avoid inhalation of gases and chemicals.

Since different industries handle chemicals and gases in different ways, employees can be exposed to these toxic substances in different ways. An employee may even be affected without knowing. The three different sources an industry worker may be exposed to chemicals and gases include inhalation through breathing, ingestion of the gas or chemical, and absorption of the gas or chemical through the skin.

Effects of Chemical and Gas Inhalation
Inhalation of chemicals and gases in industries can negatively impact the lives of those affected. The disease largely depends of the level of exposure and type of chemical. For example, chemicals and gases such as nitrogen dioxide, chlorine, sulphur dioxide, phosgene, phosgene, and ammonia, can cause irritation to the eye, mouth, throat, and nose.

Other chemicals and gases such as sulphuric acid, ammonia, and nitrogen oxide can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, and lungs. Prolonged exposure can cause permanent damage to these affected areas. Exposure to carbon dioxide and acetylene can cause respiratory syndromes as these gases may replace the oxygen content in the lungs. Exposure to excessive amounts of asbestos and bauxite dust can cause lung function damage. It could also lead to disability and death.

Exposure to strong acids, solvents, alkalis, detergents, trichloroethylene, and carbon tetra chloride can cause skin irritation, rashes, and allergies. Skin related allergies and dermatitis have also been observed in inhalation of amine hardeners, di-isocyanate, and toluene.

Other chemicals and gases used in industries include hydrofluoric acid, latex, silica, polyurethane paints, chromium acid, cobalt, cadmium, arsenic, beryllium, and PCBs. Generally, the inhalation or ingestion of these chemicals and gases – in any form – can lead to irritation of the mucus linings, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and unconsciousness.