Inhalation Exposures and Health Effects
An inhalation exposure can result from breathing air that is contaminated with particulate matter (e.g., dust), vapors (e.g., volatile or semivolatile contaminants), or aerosols. Individuals can be exposed via the inhalation route during a variety of activities outdoors and indoors. The two main categories of inhalation exposures and the resulting health effects are acute and chronic. Both can cause illnesses and injuries and signs and symptoms of either should be reported through the first report of injury (FROI) process.
Acute Exposures and Health Effects
Acute exposures are exposures lasting for less than one workday. Acute health effects are those that appear immediately or within 24-hours of exposure. Acute health effects are usually general in nature and can include coughing, wheezing, sore throat, headache, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, sleepiness, fatigue, nausea, cramps, abdominal pain, vomiting, increased anxiety, burning eyes or nose, watery eyes, bloody nose, shortness of breath, or chest pain and tightness. Also having the feeling that you need to step outside for fresh air without specific symptoms can be a sign of overexposure.
If you experience these symptoms close the chemical containers and move to a place with fresh air. If the symptoms persist after moving to fresh air seek medical attention by going to the Emergency Room or calling 911. Once you feel better, whether you seek medical care or not, fill out a FROI.
Chronic Exposures and Health Effects
Chronic exposures are those that last days, weeks, months, or years. Chronic health effects show up weeks, months, years, or even decades after the exposure started. The concentration of a chemical that causes chronic health effects is much lower than those that cause acute health effects, so there may be no noticeable signs of being overexposed at the time. The only way to know if you are being exposed to a level that can cause chronic health effects is to have an exposure assessment conducted by the EHS industrial hygienist.
Symptoms of chronic exposure vary greatly and depend on the chemical to which you have been exposed. So, it is important to know which chemicals you have used and what chronic health effects they can cause. If you think you have chronic health effects caused by work-related exposures, fill out a FROI and schedule an appointment with UI Occupational Health.
If you have any questions about chemical exposures or would like to have a chemical exposure assessment done, contact the EHS industrial hygienist, Justin Newnum.