Call Us
08000 224 224
What is Toluene?
Am I at risk of being exposed to Toluene?
Symptoms of Toluene Poisoning
What will happen to me if I am exposed to Toluene?
Diagnosis of Toluene Poisoning
How will my doctor be able to tell if I have Toluene Poisoning?
Treatment and Prevention of Toluene Poisoning
How will my Toluene Poisoning be treated and how could it have been prevented?
Toluene Poisoning Compensation Claim Advice
How to start a claim if you have been exposed to Toluene
Toluene (also known as methylbenzene and phenylmethane) is a clear, liquid which is not soluble in water. It is widely used as an industrial solvent for paints, coatings, resins, oils and rubber. Products which contain toluene include paints, varnishes, paint and varnish thinners, adhesives and glues and metal cleaners. Toluene is also used in the production of chemicals, dyes and inks, plastics and medicines.
You are most likely to be exposed to toluene if you work in industries where it is used extensively, for example, engineering, footwear, construction, textiles, chemicals, printing, woodworking, rubber and dry cleaning.
Toluene evaporates into the air and its vapours can be breathed in. Toluene can also be absorbed through your skin, especially with lengthy skin contact. Toluene can also get into your body if you swallow it.
Strict control of exposure to toluene in the work place is required. Adverse health effects are rare but accidents can and do happen.
If you are exposed to toluene at work or in the environment and develop toluene poisoning you may be able to make a toluene poisoning compensation claim.
Overexposure to toluene mainly affects the central nervous system (the brain), 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.
In extreme cases, unconsciousness and death can result from exposure to very high concentrations of toluene vapours. Generally speaking, the greater the exposure, the more severe the symptoms.
If liquid toluene contacts the skin, it may cause irritation and a rash and liquid toluene splashed in the eyes can damage the eyes. Protective clothing and goggles should be provided.
If you are exposed to toluene at work or in the environment and develop toluene poisoning you may be able to make a toluene poisoning compensation claim.
Tests can confirm how much toluene is in your body but they are only useful if they are done very soon after exposure (generally at the end of a workshift) because toluene is eliminated from the body very quickly. The tests can only provide useful information about that day's exposure. If 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 working with solvents, you should see your doctor.
If you are exposed to toluene at work or in the environment and develop toluene poisoning you may be able to make a toluene poisoning compensation claim.
There is no antidote for toluene poisoning, but its effects can be treated, and most persons will recover. However, a stay in hospital may be required if the symptoms are serious.
Employers should introduce measures to prevent exposure to toluene or, if this is not possible, to ensure that exposure is controlled. They should provide appropriate ventillation 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. The UK exposure limit is 50 parts per million averaged over an 8-hour working day.
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 you are exposed to toluene at work or in the environment and develop toluene poisoning you may be able to make a toluene poisoning compensation claim.
If you or anyone you know has developed toluene poisoning or any other industrial disease, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
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 e compensation claim forms.