Personal Injury Law

Iowa Workers' Compensation - PERC Part VI - Exposure to Spotting

By Steve Lombardi

Exposure to Spotting Chemicals - What I would suggest is that if you work at a drycleaner business and have any of the conditions discussed below that you assume you're being exposed to solvents and see a doctor. After you receive a medical opinion then consider filing a workers' compensation claim. Here are some of the common symptoms and conditions.

The chemicals commonly used in the U.S. to treat stains through pre-spotting and post-spotting are trichloroethylene; various ketones, especially methyl isobutyl ketone; petroleum naphtha; and hydrofluoric acid. Individuals who perform the spotting process could be exposed to many of these toxic chemicals through skin or eye contact and inhalation of vapors. However, the primary hazard posed by the majority of the chemicals is skin damage, resulting from chronic or acute exposure, or injury to the eyes. Although chemicals that readily vaporize and have a high toxicity can pose an inhalation risk, previous studies have shown that inhalation exposures are minimized because of the limited quantities of chemicals and the intermittent nature and short duration of the spotting task. Commonly, PERC exposures during spotting are many times lower than OSHA standards, as are other spotting chemical exposures, which are often below detection limits.

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on February 07, 2008 (boomark / email).