Easy Steps That Enable You Cope With Chemical Poisoning

By Author: Jo Alelsto
Total Articles: 405
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Poisoning from the inhalation and the ingestion of toxic materials, either accidental or deliberately, constitutes a major health hazard. The problem is one of real magnitude as reflected in the number of cases and the number of deaths at different stages due to specific poisons. In fact, simple materials found in your home can trigger such condition and when left unattended and unidentified, morbidity increases.

Of course, science and technology have definitely created a new world of development as they continue to provide advancements that help people make their lives easier. From cleaning to beauty products, each chemical is built to help people survive the challenges and make lives easier to live with.

Manufacturers can't be blamed about this. Good intentions should never be reprimanded, but it does not free anybody from guilt. Whether you are the manufacturer or the end user, in dealing with chemicals, every precaution should be taught. The way people handle chemicals should be clarified. But whatever the consequences, accidents still happen. The only thing you can do about it is to know what should ...
... be done next.

More than one million cases of poisoning occur in the United States year after year. At the minimum, approximately three thousand of these patients die. Nearly one half of all poison ingestions involve drugs; other products that are commonly implicated include household preparations, pesticides and petroleum distillates.

Whatever the statistics can offer, it is still important that you know what to do in case anybody in your family, neighborhood, or work place have been poisoned by chemicals.

First you have to understand the principles of poisoning management. It is important to give immediate supportive treatment, paying particular attention to respiratory and circulatory states and organs of excretion and detoxification.

Next goal would be to remove the poison from the patient's body. And lastly, provide the appropriate antidote.

If in case emergency management must be implemented, it is important that you know what to do before the paramedics arrive.

1. Swallowed chemicals

In all cases, except for some instances which will be discussed later, it is important to remove poison from patient's stomach immediately by inducing vomiting. This cannot be overemphasized, for it is the essence of the treatment and is often a life-saving procedure. Prevent chilling by wrapping patient in blankets if necessary. It is best not to offer any form of alcohol.
Cases where vomiting should not be induced include unconscious patients or in a coma, convulsions, and petroleum products and corrosive poison were swallowed. Corrosive products include:

a.) Acid and acid-like corrosives such as sodium acid sulfate (toilet bowl cleaners), acetic acid (glacial), sulfuric acid, nitric acid, oxalic acid, hydrochloric acid, and iodine

b.) Alkali corrosives such as sodium hydrochloride, sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium hypochlorite (household bleach)

2. Inhaled chemicals

For patients who work in a chemical laboratory or who are in contact with chemicals most of the time, chances are, they will have the tendency to inhale it. Certain safety precautions should be implemented by the company to prevent hazard and injuries or even death. That is why the amended Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 or the COSHH is being implemented by the government to companies whose business is in the chemical industry to prevent putting people, especially the employees' health, at risk. Hence, exposure to such chemicals must be controlled.

However, unforeseen circumstances do exist and accidents really happen. So the best thing to do about it when these take place is to know how to implement emergency management.

For cases of inhaled chemicals, it is best to do the following:

a. Carry patient to fresh air immediately
b. Open all doors and windows
c. Loosen all tight clothing
d. Apply artificial respiration if breathing has stopped or is irregular
e. If patient is convulsing, keep him in bed in a semi-dark room
f. Do not give alcohol in any form

These are just a few simple first-aid tips that you should know. Keep in mind that chemicals were not really created to harm people. They are, in fact, useful to mankind. However, the way they are being utilized and handled can sometimes trigger the problem. So, it is best if you know what to do about it.
Jo is a writer for ‘ReAgent Chemical Services Ltd' (http://www.reagent.co.uk), a reputable UK based chemical firm that makes, stocks and distributes a vast range of premium chemical. If your company is seeking premium chemical product for instance brick acid or has other industrial chemical requirements for applications similar to chemical fusion, analytical applications and cleaning then check out ReAgent Chemical Services Ltd.