Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Stoddard Solvent Toxicity
Treatment and Management
- There are no known antidotes for Stoddard solvent toxicity. Treatment consists of supportive measures and prevention of further overexposure.
In cases of acute inhalation exposure to Stoddard solvent, the person should be removed immediately from the source of exposure. After initial evaluation and treatment to maintain respiratory and cardiovascular functions, decontamination procedures should be instituted. Remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed areas with mild soap and shampoo, then rinse thoroughly with water. Direct eye splashes should be treated by irrigation with saline or water for 15 minutes or until pain resolves.
Inhalation exposure may cause respiratory, circulatory, or mental status changes. Supplemental oxygen should be administered as needed. Further evaluation, including blood gas analyses, chest radiography, ECG monitoring, and baseline liver and kidney function tests, should be considered in serious overexposures.
Because the threat of systemic toxicity is low after Stoddard solvent ingestion and because of potential for pulmonary aspiration, gastric decontamination (i.e., emesis, lavage, cathartic, activated charcoal) is not recommended in most cases. Corticosteroids and prophylactic antibiotics are not necessary to treat persons with Stoddard solvent ingestion and pulmonary aspiration. An initial chest radiograph should be obtained to determine baseline, and the patient should be observed for 6 hours. Patients who are asymptomatic after 6 hours of observation may be discharged from the hospital. Patients who develop chemical pneumonitis will require intensive supportive pulmonary care.
Acute eczematous contact dermatitis due to contact with liquid Stoddard solvent can be treated with traditional measures. Monitor for secondary infection, and treat with topical or systemic antibiotics as needed.
Whether systemic health effects occur from low-level, chronic exposures to Stoddard solvent is uncertain. If symptoms persist, investigate other sources of exposure to Stoddard solvent or similar agents, and other etiologies. In cases of persistent neurologic symptoms, formal neuropsychologic testing may be useful for diagnostic purposes and to establish baseline functioning.
| 6. | How will you treat the patient and manage the case? |
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