Household Chemical Accidents In New York State

Household Chemical Accident Attorneys In Buffalo, New York

Jed Dietrich, Esq. Is Prepared to Represent Individuals Injured as a Result of Exposure to Hazardous Household Chemicals.

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New York State recently became the first state to implement stringent policies regarding household cleaning products. Launched as part of an Earth Week innovation, the Household Cleaning Product Information Disclosure Program has the twofold goal of requiring manufacturers to list all of the chemicals present in home cleaning products and to limit the use of perchloroethylene, a chemical typically used for dry cleaning. Knowing what is included in cleaning products allows households to make informed choices when it comes to the chemicals they choose to expose themselves and their loved ones to.

Even with these changes to the legislation, household chemicals are still potentially hazardous. There is always a degree of risk when using them, particularly for households with children or pets who might be unaware of the need for caution regarding cleaning products. At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., our team is well versed in the legal language of household chemical personal injury lawsuits. We are available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week to answer your questions. Call us today at 716-839-3939 or contact us online to receive your free consultation.

Common Household Chemicals

Strong chemicals are often present in household cleaning products. The most common are chlorine, ammonium, bleach, and lye, all of which pose different health risks to the human body. Here is a brief overview of four of the most common chemicals used in households today:

1. Chlorine: An extremely common chemical in the United States, chlorine is used in everything from tap water to public pools. It functions similarly to bleach and can be in either gas or liquid form. Exposure to chlorine can cause painful burns to the skin, irritation in the eyes and throat, vomiting, and trouble breathing;
2. Ammonia: This naturally occurring chemical compound is perhaps best known for the unique smell it produces in urine. Used in fertilizer, in the production of items such as rubber and plastic, and as a cleaning agent, ammonia is highly versatile. It is also extremely toxic and can severely irritate the delicate parts of the body. If inhaled, ammonia can inflict drastic and sometimes fatal damage to the lungs. Ammonia should never be mixed with bleach. The fumes produced by this combination of chemicals can be fatal if inhaled for too long;
3. Bleach: Perhaps best known for its ability to strip the color out of fabric, bleach is a strong and very common cleaning product. Used in laundry detergents, bathroom cleaners, and even to disinfect wounds, it can cause burns or irritation to the skin. It is recommended that gloves be worn when handling bleach; and
4. Lye: Also known as sodium hydroxide, lye is most commonly found in soap, drain cleaners, and oven cleaners. Individuals can sometimes have severe allergic reactions to lye. As with other household chemicals, it irritates the sensitive areas of the body, including the skin and the eyes.

For a list of common household cleaning products and safety tips to avoid injury, see the Cleveland Clinic’s Household Chemical Products and Their Health Risk webpage. Any accident that results in poisoning leaves a lasting impact. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s team of highly experienced and top rated personal injury attorneys make their clients their priority. Reach out to us today by calling 716-839-3939 or visiting us online to schedule your free consultation. We are available twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week.

Children And Accidental Poisoning

Children are naturally curious. They are constantly exploring their environment and asking questions. This inherent curiosity, paired with their lack of understanding of the dangers of household chemicals, leads to frequent fatal poisonings among children. There are approximately 45,000 poison-related deaths among children and adolescents each year. While adults are certainly at risk for accidental poisoning, individuals under the age of 20 are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of household chemicals.

Poison is defined as “a substance that through its chemical action, kills, injures, or impairs” an individual. A poison can enter the body through any means, from physically swallowing it to absorbing it through the skin or even the eyes. Multiple factors determine how serious a case of poisoning is, such as an individual’s age, the type of chemical, the extent of the exposure, and the time between exposure and treatment. The faster a poisoning is addressed, the greater a child’s odds of survival. The Poison Control Center can be reached at 1-800-222-1222 or on their website. Their hotline is available twenty-four hours a day, and seven days a week, to assist in accidental poisoning emergencies. Their website also contains helpful information on how to identify poisons and what to do in the event of a poisoning.

Safety Tips

Child household chemical poisoning can be avoided with proper foresight and care. There are numerous resources available on the internet for ways to prevent poisoning and what to do in the event that you or a loved one are exposed to a harmful chemical. Kids Health recommends the following safety tips for keeping harmful chemicals out of reach of children:

1. Find a high cabinet with childproof locks to store all household cleaning products;
2. Always leave chemicals in their original bottles with the labels intact so that the ingredient list is available to consult;
3. Do not leave insect or rat poison out on the floor where children might step in or ingest them;
4. Keep laundry and dishwasher cleaning products in a safe, locked cabinet; and
5. Place the number for poison control in an easily accessible location.

We all want to keep our loved ones safe, but sometimes the unthinkable occurs. When that happens, the last thing we want is to worry about what action steps we need to take. At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., our team of experienced Buffalo, New York personal injury attorneys is more than capable of assisting you every step of the way. Allow us to represent you in your case – you do not have to fight alone. Call today at 716-839-3939 or visit us online to begin the process.

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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