Workplace Injuries Caused by Chemical Exposure & Toxins

Workplace Injuries Caused by Chemical Exposure & Toxins As WWI neared its end, young women across America worked in factories and unknowingly were injured by chemical exposure % toxins. One group of such women, later known as the Radium Girls, exposed themselves to radiation poisoning by luminescent paint.  As they decorated watch faces with this toxic paint, they inhaled it, got it on their bare skin, and even orally consumed it. As their bodies started glowing and quickly deteriorating due to the poisoning, they spearheaded the most iconic labor rights movement in American history.  The right for workers to sue their companies for personal injury resulted from their plight, even as nearly everyone died from the exposure. If you are concerned about injuries from chemical exposure & toxins in your work environment, you are entitled to financial compensation. 

What are some modern workplace exposure risks?

These are the most common workplace chemicals you may be exposed to:

• Aluminum
• Asbestos
• Benzene
• Lead
• Mercury
• Petroleum
• Pesticides
• Silica
• Acids

How does exposure happen?

As with the Radium Girls, inhalation is the most common manner of coming into contact with and ingesting these chemicals. But the chemicals may also enter your body through other means, including: 

• Accidental injection, such as when a sharp object carrying that chemical pierces your skin
• Ingestion, if the chemical contaminates your food or drink or doesn’t wash away when you wash your hands
• Direct skin contact and entering into your bloodstream

Where would this happen? This list isn’t exhaustive, but these are a few places where chemical contamination may be possible:

• Hospitals
• Construction sites
• Laboratories
• Demolition sites
• Factories

If you have been exposed to toxic chemicals in your workplace, you must contact a qualified injury attorney to discuss your legal rights and options. Contact the New York workplace injury attorneys of Hach & Rose, LLP at 212-779-0057 to discuss how we could help you.