Exposure to toxic chemicals in the workplace may result in varying symptoms and health issues. It includes skin and respiratory irritations, skin disorders, neurological diseases, and other illnesses. Some cancers are even attributed to hazardous chemical exposures.
Still, there are various jobs and workplaces where workers face these dangerous exposures daily. No matter how they observe the protocols and safety measures, accidental exposure still happens.
Prevention may help, but what if you’re already exposed? How will you know?
Alarming Signs And Symptoms Of Hazardous Chemical Exposure
- Wheezing, Shortness Of Breath, And Other Related Symptoms
Hazardous chemicals have been linked to various respiratory diseases and their symptoms. It includes wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. These may have been caused by inhaling chemical and dust particles or proteins in toxic chemical workplaces.
These respiratory discomforts and symptoms are considered compensable industrial workplace injuries. It would be best if you informed your employer, or their representatives, right away. It will help your employer speed up medical care for you if needed and start your compensation insurance claims. If you delay reporting these issues, you may not be given medical help immediately.
To help avoid these symptoms, you should use respiratory protection while working. Think of your safety. Use precautionary gadgets like masks or respirators. Ensure the place you are working has adequate ventilation to prevent respiratory difficulties.
- Rashes, Itchiness, And Other Related Irritations
When in contact with the skin, certain chemicals can cause the skin to become red, parched, and even cracked. These irritants may be found in fiberglass, soaps, oils, cutting fluids, and solvents. They’re the four substances that most frequently irritate the skin. They most often cause skin discoloration.
Watch out for these symptoms and immediately ask for medical assistance. Some chemical exposures to the skin may be helped with timely medical care.
Sometimes the resulting skin problems may hinder work where discrimination and bullying may be experienced, prompting the worker to stop working. Aside from workers’ compensation claims, you may need a disability lawyer to help you pursue other legal actions against those who may have prevented you from working and earning a day’s wage.
- Teary Eyes, Itchiness Around The Eyes Area, And Other Related Issues
When you feel a burning sensation, stinging, and pain around your eye areas, you might have had some activities that exposed you to hazardous chemicals. It may include redness, swelling of the eyelids, blurry vision, or watery eyes. It will help if you go to your doctor immediately for ENT-specialized care.
When the face is splashed with a chemical at work or fumes get into your eyes, ask for help immediately. Some cases led to losing eyesight or eyes because it wasn’t attended to immediately.
So, when you get sprayed or splashed on with unknown liquids or fluids known as toxic chemicals, clean yourself immediately and watch out for symptoms. These may not manifest immediately, but it’s better to seek professional care the moment you feel something is off with your eyes.
- Light-headedness, Headaches, Confusion, Dizziness, And Seizures
When you experience frequent headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, confusion, or worse, seizures, these might be signs of exposure to some deadly chemicals at work. It might be that your workplace is engaged in chemical production, or its activities involve the usage of chemical compounds.
Whatever the case, be wary if you feel these signs and symptoms. Make a timely and accurate report of what you’ve been experiencing so far, noting that it’s after you’ve been doing company-directed work. If it happened within company premises and acquired while working, you must report such symptoms or illness within thirty days.
Delay or failure to report your symptom or illness at the most reasonable time may result in the denial of your compensation or medical claims.
The Bottom Line
The signs and symptoms of toxic chemical exposure in the workplace are considered industrial injuries. Some jurisdictions have strict requirements before you can process your claims for compensation for these kinds of injuries. Usually, technical requirements like the timeliness and accuracy of your report are mandatory.
It’s more beneficial if you’re alert and immediately call your management’s attention whenever you experience any or some of the symptoms listed in this content. You can also check for other signs in the links provided, including the kinds of reliefs available to you.
Your health is your number one wealth. One way of taking good care of that wealth is ensuring you’ll not experience these symptoms of toxic chemical exposures.
