Chemical inhalation is when a person breathes in (inhales) fumes from a toxic harmful chemical. Most homes are filled with chemicals that can cause harm if a person breathes them in. These include products for cleaning and home repair. They also include gas stoves and heaters. Young children breathe fast and are small. So they're more likely to be harmed by fumes from these things.
Household products with fumes that can cause harm include:
-
Bug-killing spray
-
Laundry detergent or cleaning products with bleach
-
Cleaning products with ammonia
-
Some kinds of glue
-
Shoe polish
-
Gasoline
-
Cigarette smoke
-
Rug, upholstery, and dry-cleaning chemicals
-
Furniture and floor polish
Symptoms of chemical inhalation depend on what's been inhaled. They can include coughing or trouble breathing. Your child may have slurred speech, slow or unsteady movements, nausea, dizziness, and other signs.
Treatment is done to support the child’s breathing and steady their heart rate. In most cases, oxygen is given. Your child may be watched in the hospital for a few hours, and then released home. A child with severe inhalation may need to stay in the hospital for 1 or more nights.
Home care
Follow the healthcare provider’s instructions for giving any medicine to your child.
If you think your child has breathed in toxic chemical fumes:
-
Move your child away from the chemical fumes into fresh air.
-
Open all windows and doors to clear the house of fumes.
-
Call Poison Control at 800-222-1222. Follow all the instructions that you're given.
Prevention
-
Keep all toxic chemicals out of children’s reach in locked cabinets.
-
Don’t use toxic cleaning products or pesticides in the house. If you must, use them only when children aren't around. Open windows when using them.
-
Use household heaters and gas stoves safely. Learn what to do in case of a gas leak.
-
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
-
Talk with your child about the dangers of chemicals.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child’s healthcare provider, or as advised.
Special note to parents
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises removing syrup of ipecac from the home. The AAP no longer advises using syrup of ipecac, which induces vomiting to treat any suspected poisoning. Instead the AAP advises calling
Call 911
Call
-
Trouble breathing
-
Hallucinations
-
Seizures
-
Loss of consciousness
When to get medical advice
Call your child's healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
-
Abnormal silly or hyper behavior
-
Dizziness
-
Slow or unsteady movements
-
Slurred speech
-
Blurry vision
-
Weakness
-
Trembling
-
Coughing or trouble breathing
-
Headache and irritability
-
Nausea
-
Sweating
Featured in
Author: Wheeler, Brooke
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
