Chemical Hazards and Poison Control for the Health Professional—Review of Select Principles and Exposures

Abstract

Exposure to a wide variety of chemicals can pose significant hazards to patients, and present health care professionals with scenarios that require proper assessment and treatment. Knowing when a chemical exposure requires emergency medical attention is equally as important as knowing when such assistance is not necessary and that simple treatment measures performed at home will suffice. This current discussion is intended to highlight selected principles and clinical information pertaining to common chemical exposures, but not to replace the full spectrum of information that would be available to health care professionals (and the lay public) by contacting their nearest poison control center. There are several factors that should be considered when assessing the nature of and possible clinical outcomes (and medical needs) from patient exposure to chemicals. Identification of the chemical(s) involved, events leading up to the exposure, route of exposure (e.g., ingestion, dermal, inhalation, ocular), patient medical history and current symptoms, are just a few of the variables that must be ascertained before various treatment approaches can be undertaken.