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About Solvents
Information about Solvents and Solvent Exposure
Symptoms of Solvent exposure
What effects will an exposure to Solvents have on my health?
Diagnosis of Solvent exposure
How will my solvent-related illness be diagnosed?
Treatment of Solvent Exposure
How will my solvent-related illness be treated?
Prevention of Solvent Exposure
Exposure to Solvents can be prevented
Personal injury claim advice regarding solvent
exposure
How to start a Solvent Exposure Compensation Claim
Solvent is the term given to a group of liquid chemicals which share important similarities. All solvents may affect the body’s central nervous system. Solvents (which include chemicals such as benzene and toluene) are used to dilute or dissolve another substance. Water is the most obvious solvent as many other substances can be dissolved in it but strong chemicals are also used as solvents for those substances which cannot be dissolved in water alone. Solvents are used very widely in many industries including engineering, footwear, construction, textiles, chemicals, printing, woodworking, rubber and dry cleaning. They are frequently used for degreasing, adhesion and as paint thinners or lubricants.
Solvents evaporate into the air and their vapour can be breathed in. Solvents can also be absorbed through your skin, especially with lengthy skin contact. Solvents can also get into your body if you swallow it.
Strict control of exposure to solvents in the workplace is required. Adverse health effects are rare but accidents can and do happen. In some cases, employees are asked to deal with dangerous solvents at work without being issued with the necessary protective clothing or any training about how to handle the solvents. If not handled correctly, solvents can be very dangerous substances and can cause irritation of the eyes, lungs and skin. They can also cause headaches, nausea and dizziness. In extreme cases, exposure to solvents can result in death.
If you become ill after being exposed to solvents at work you may be able to make a solvent exposure compensation claim.
The precise effect of solvent exposure depends on the chemical involved but generally speaking, overexposure to solvents affects the central nervous system, causing headaches, nausea, dizziness, clumsiness, drowsiness, and other effects like those of drunkenness. The symptoms of short-term overexposure usually clear up within hours of exposure stopping but, as with drinking alcohol, these symptoms can increase your chances of having an accident. However, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and death can result from exposure to very high concentrations of solvent vapours. Generally, the greater the exposure, the more severe the symptoms.
Long term exposure to solvents can also lead to kidney and liver damage, damage to the brain and nervous system and it can affect fertility. Long-term effects on the nervous system may include problems with concentration, sleep disorders and personality disorders. Some solvents (e.g. chloroform and benzene) are carcinogenic.
If liquid solvents make contact with the skin, they may cause irritation and a rash and liquid solvent splashes can damage the eyes. Protective clothing and goggles should be provided.
If you become ill after being exposed to solvents at work you may be able to make a solvent exposure compensation claim.
Tests can confirm the level of solvent exposure but they generally need to be carried out very soon after exposure. They can only provide useful information about that day's exposure. If a severe exposure has occurred, blood and urine analyses and other tests may show whether the brain, heart, or kidneys have been injured.
If you believe that your health is being affected through work with solvents, you should see your doctor immediately.
If you become ill after being exposed to solvents at work you may be able to make a solvent exposure compensation claim.
It is important to stop exposure to solvents immediately. The effects can be treated e.g. oxygen can be given for inhalation of solvent vapour or medicine for skin exposure. Most persons will recover. However, a stay in hospital may be required if the symptoms are serious.
If you become ill after being exposed to solvents at work you may be able to make a solvent exposure compensation claim.
Employers should introduce measures to prevent exposure to solvents or, if this is not possible, to ensure that exposure is controlled. They should provide appropriate ventilation and protective equipment (gloves, respiratory equipment, goggles, apron etc). Special precautions are required if the work is in a confined space. Employers should also monitor workers’ exposure and provide appropriate training with this solvent.
There are detailed regulations in place which are designed to protect all workers from exposure to chemicals and other substances in the workplace and these are called “The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988” or COSHH for short. If a person believes they have been harmed by exposure to solvents at work or in the environment, then they may be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim.
If you become ill after being exposed to solvents at work you may be able to make a solvent exposure compensation claim.
If you or someone you know has been injured or contracted an illness or disease as a direct result of coming into contact with a dangerous solvent, you may wish to contact a lawyer for advice. In the meantime; however, it is important that you retain any evidence you may have which supports your exposure and ensure that when you visit your GP / Hospital for treatment you mention the cause of your injury to your doctor.
Also remember to retain evidence of any injury-related expenses such as receipts for prescriptions or medication and evidence of travelling expenses.
Providing it can be proven that your injury was caused by your exposure to the hazardous solvent and the person / company who allowed you to come into contact with the solvent was negligent, then your claim for compensation should be valid.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.