Stoddard solvent poisoning

Stoddard solvent is a flammable, liquid chemical that smells like kerosene. Stoddard solvent poisoning occurs when someone swallows or touches this chemical.

Alternative Names: Texsolve S poisoning; Varsol 1 poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient:

Petroleum distillates

Where Found:

Dry cleaning fluids
Paints
Paint thinner
Stoddard solvent (mineral spirits )
Toners used in copy machines

Note: This list does not necessarily include all products containing Stoddard solvent.

Symptoms:

Gastrointestinal
- Burns in mouth and stomach
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
Heart and blood
- Rapid heartbeat
- Weakness
Lungs
- Breathing difficulty (severe)
- Cough
- Fast and shallow breathing
Nervous system
- Burning sensations
- Convulsions
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Memory problems
- Nervousness
- Numbness in arms and legs
- Unconsciousness
Skin
- Burns with long-term contact
Whole body
- Fever

Home Treatment:

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of product (ingredients and strength, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room:

The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:

Flushing of the eyes with water (if poison touches the eyes)
Medicines to relieve pain
Skin washing with soap and water (if poison touches the skin)
Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage )

Expectations (prognosis):

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Recovery depends on how much damage there was to the lung.

Review Date: 2/27/2008
Reviewed By: Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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