| Definition: |
This poisoning is caused by ingestion of benzene.
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| Poisonous Ingredient: |
Benzene
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| Where Found: |
- Various paint, lacquer, and varnish removers
- Multiple industrial solvents
- Additives to gasoline and other fuels
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
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| Symptoms: |
- Body as a whole
- Respiratory
- Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Skin
- Gastrointestinal
- Heart and blood vessels
- Nervous system
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| Home Treatment: |
DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING). Exposure to high concentrations of benzene can be fatal. Seek emergency medical care immediately.
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| Before Calling Emergency: |
Determine the following information:- The patient's age, weight, and condition
- The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
- The time it was swallowed
- The amount swallowed
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| Poison Control, or a local emergency number: |
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.
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| What to expect at the emergency room: |
Some, or all of the following procedures may be performed:
- For inhalation:
- Administer oxygen
- Breathing tube (assisted ventillation)
- Admission to the intensive care unit
- For swallowed poison
- Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)
- Activated charcoal administration
- Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach
- Give IV fluids
- Admission to the hospital
- Give an antidote
- Treat the symptoms
- For skin exposure
- Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days
- Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin)
- Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care
- For allergic reactions
- Use of diphenhydramine
- Use of prednisone
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| Expectations (prognosis): |
Benzene is extremely toxic, and exposure can be rapidly fatal. Deaths have occurred as late as 3 days after ingestion of the product. Many complications may occur. Seek emergency medical care immediately for any benzne exposure.
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