How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 752 severe cases of chemical exposure over the last decade. These incidents frequently result in effects of poison or toxic exposure, which can cause immediate respiratory distress.
You face high risks when inhaling toxic vapors or gases, which can lead to prolonged recovery times and potential permanent respiratory impairment.
Exposed to chemicals? Check what benefits you may be owed.
Free Benefits ReviewCommon injuries
Chemical exposure occurs when safety protocols fail to contain hazardous substances. You are most frequently injured by non-flammable, non-toxic gases (24 percent) and toxic non-metallic compounds (20 percent). These incidents often happen when chemicals are improperly stored, mixed without adequate ventilation, or when safety equipment like respirators is not provided or maintained.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Effects of poison, toxic, or allergenic exposure— unspecified | 608 |
| 2 | Poison, toxic, or allergenic effects— other respiratory | 50 |
| 3 | Poisoning, poisoning-related asphyxia | 21 |
| 4 | Chemical burns, corrosions | 17 |
| 5 | Traumatic injuries or exposures— unspecified | 9 |
| 6 | Injuries to internal organs and major blood vessels | 8 |
| 7 | Respiratory viral diseases | 8 |
| 8 | Multiple effects of poison, toxic, or allergenic exposure | 6 |
Where injuries happen most
Manufacturing accounts for 26 percent of all chemical exposure cases, largely due to the high volume of industrial solvents and gases used in production. Health care follows at 23 percent, where you are frequently exposed to cleaning agents and antimicrobial products that can cause severe respiratory irritation if handled incorrectly.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports involve accidental mixing of cleaning agents, inhalation of vapors during routine maintenance, and exposure to gases in confined spaces. These incidents often occur when labeling is unclear or when you are asked to handle hazardous materials without proper training. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you evaluate your legal options.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TX | Mining | "On July 17, 2925, an employee was working on a computer inside a vehicle when they began experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, resulting in hospitalization." | |
| 2025 | TX | Retail Trade | "An employee was cleaning the produce production room. The employee was spraying a grease cutter chemical when it mixed with an antimicrobial agent in a jug under a sink. The injured employee was called over to assess the situation, picked up the jug of antimicrobial agent, and inhaled the vapors from the chemical mixture. The injured employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | WI | Transportation & Warehousing | "On June 22, 2025, at approximately 4:30 PM, an employee was working in a field with knife-style anhydrous applicator equipment used to fertilize corn. The employee inhaled anhydrous ammonia. The employee had difficulty breathing and speaking. They were hospitalized with a respiratory tract injury/irritation." | |
| 2025 | FL | Retail Trade | "On June 5, 2025, an employee was pouring a bottle of antimicrobial produce wash when they inhaled the product and sustained irritation in their lungs and dizziness. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | PR | Health Care | "A nurse was working in the emergency department when they experienced nausea, difficulty breathing, and a cough due to chemical fumes. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | OH | Health Care | "An employee was getting water in the breakroom when the odor from an air freshener that was sprayed in a patient's room wafted into the room. The employee breathed in the air freshener and was hospitalized with an asthmatic episode." | |
| 2025 | OH | Health Care | "While treating patients, an employee was exposed to cigarette smoke and started coughing and having trouble breathing. The employee had an anaphylactic reaction and was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | TX | Health Care | "An employee was hospitalized on May 22, 2025, due to respiratory issues caused by mold exposure; when her work area was tested, mold was identified." | |
| 2025 | FL | Health Care | "Two employees were doing emergency medical service work. Their ambulance was leaking exhaust, and both employees developed carbon monoxide poisoning. Both were hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | NY | Manufacturing | "An employee was performing a routine tank change when phosgene gas was released. The employee was exposed to the gas for about a minute. After about six hours, the employee developed respiratory distress symptoms. The employee was hospitalized." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.