Industrial Chemicals Exposure Claims
If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by exposure to hazardous industrial chemicals, we can help.
If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
You can make a compensation claim for exposure to industrial chemicals with the help and support of a specialist solicitor.
In this article
Introduction
A very wide range of hazardous chemicals and other potentially-harmful substances are used in industrial and agricultural processes across the UK.
Extensive legislation exists to protect workers and the public from exposure to harmful chemicals, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ensures that companies and government agencies meet their legal obligations regarding the handling and storage of hazardous substances.
HSE data shows that an estimated 13,000 deaths occur each year as the result of work-related ill health, primarily past exposure to harmful substances.
If you have been harmed or become sick after exposure to industrial chemicals, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Do I have an injury claim?
It should be possible to make an injury claim for industrial chemical exposure if:
- you were diagnosed in the last 3 years and;
- someone else, such as your employer, was to blame.
Even if these two points don't apply to you, you may still be able to make a claim.
To get impartial advice on whether you have a claim, speak to injury claims expert on 0800 376 1001.
A brief phone consultation will tell you exactly where you stand. There is no obligation to start a claim.
How much compensation can I claim for chemicals exposure?
The amount of money you could claim for your injury will depend on:
- the seriousness of your injury, and
- any financial losses or costs you have incurred.
At the start of your claim, your solicitor will consider the many ways your injuries have affected your life. Your solicitor will take these considerations into account to calculate the correct compensation award.
Injury
Compensation
Calculator
Find out how much compensation you could claim in just a few minutes.
Check your legal eligibility and see if you qualify for a No Win, No Fee claim.
Updated February 2025
Compensation Calculator v3.1
General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.
Special damages compensate you for any loss of earnings, and any expenses directly related to your injury. Damages will also cover any medical or treatment bills, such as emergency care, diagnostic imaging tests and physiotherapy.
Read more:
What losses can I claim for? See complete list
What types of chemical exposure can I claim for?
There is no definitive list of what types of exposure you can and cannot claim compensation for. This section lists some of the more common industrial chemicals that can cause injury.
Arsenic poisoning
Arsenic is a toxic substance used in various industries, particularly in arsenic trioxide (a white solid) and arsenic trichloride (an oily liquid) for manufacturing pesticides, herbicides, fireworks, and photocopier drum coatings. Inorganic arsenic is a by-product of refining copper and lead ores, and is used in special alloys, glass, and ceramics.
Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) preserves wood industrially, and arsenic metal is employed in electronics. Arsine, a toxic gas with a garlic-like odour, is used in semiconductors.
Short-term arsenic exposure can irritate the eyes and nose, cause skin damage, and lead to stomach issues, with severe cases causing internal bleeding. Long-term exposure may damage nerves, cause skin and lung inflammation, and lead to heart problems and cancer, particularly in the lungs, skin, and liver. Symptoms of arsenic poisoning include excessive sweating, seizures, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Diagnosis is confirmed through blood or urine tests.
Exposure can occur outside the workplace due to spillage or poor disposal practices. Arsenic poisoning is recognised as a prescribed disease in the UK, entitling affected individuals to Industrial Industries Disablement Benefit.
Benzene poisoning
The World Health Organisation has declared benzene exposure a 'major public health concern'. People may be exposed to benzene at work, especially in industries like petroleum and chemical production, or even at home.
The body’s reaction to benzene poisoning depends on factors such as the duration and frequency of exposure, and individual health. A single high exposure may cause nausea, headaches, and exhaustion. Prolonged exposure can lead to serious health problems, as benzene disrupts blood cells, causing conditions like anaemia and leukaemia.
Carbon Monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless gas, and can cause serious health issues if inhaled. If you have been injured or become sick following carbon monoxide exposure, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Read more:
Carbon monoxide poisoning claims
Dioxin poisoning
Dioxin poisoning is a recognised industrial disease and can lead to claims for hazardous substances compensation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies the most toxic dioxins as carcinogenic.
At-risk sectors include paper mills, water treatment plants, chemical manufacturing, industrial incinerators, mining, recycling plants, and firefighting. Dioxins are by-products of processes like chlorine bleaching and water treatment.
Exposure can occur through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. While small amounts of dioxins are common, prolonged exposure can be dangerous. Immediate symptoms include stomach pain, vomiting, and feeling unwell. 'Chloracne', a skin condition, is a common sign of poisoning. High dioxin levels can damage kidneys, weaken the immune system, and affect male fertility, with long-term exposure possibly leading to cancer.
Read more:
Hazardous substances compensation claims
Hydrocarbon poisoning
Hydrocarbons are produced by vehicles, mining, incineration, and oil refining. Harmful exposure claims involve substances like benzene, toluene, propane, butane, methane, ethylene, acetylene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Exposure can lead to severe symptoms, including lung issues like pneumonia, and affect the central nervous system, heart, bone marrow, and kidneys. PAHs are highly carcinogenic.
See also:
Workplace-related cancer compensation claims
Lead poisoning
Workplace exposure is a common cause of lead poisoning in adults. Lead poisoning is known to cause a range of symptoms, including memory loss, seizures, organ damage and infertility.
If you have been harmed or become ill as the result of exposure to lead, either at work or elsewhere, you may be able to claim compensation.
Read more:
Lead poisoning compensation claims
MEK poisoning
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) is a highly flammable liquid used as a solvent in industries like paint, plastics, rubber, and textiles. It is also found in printing inks, paint removers, and varnishes.
High levels of MEK exposure can cause allergic reactions, such as occupational dermatitis, typically from inhaling fumes or skin contact. Symptoms from exposure range from dizziness to lung damage and unconsciousness.
When combined with chemicals like Methyl Butyl Ketone or n-hexane, MEK can cause more severe health effects, including irreversible nerve damage, which is not caused by MEK alone.
See also:
Occupational dermatitis claims
Mercury poisoning
Although low-level exposure to mercury is not considered to be a significant health threat, long-term exposure or exposure to a large amount of mercury can cause serious health problems. Mercury is used in many industries, and members of the public may also be exposed following a spillage or other industrial accident.
If you have suffered organ damage, respiratory problems, nerve damage or an other symptoms as the result of mercury poisoning, you may able to claim mercury poisoning compensation.
Read more:
Mercury poisoning compensation claims
MTBE exposure
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is a flammable liquid added to petrol to reduce carbon monoxide emissions and is also used to treat gallstones. While small doses pose no risk, higher concentrations may be toxic. Laboratory tests on rats have linked MTBE to cancer and leukaemia.
Most MTBE poisoning cases involve workers lacking proper protective gear. Public exposure can also occur, as seen in a major UK incident where a spillage contaminated local water supplies in East Anglia.
PCB exposure
In 1986, the UK banned polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) due to health and environmental risks. If you’ve developed a PCB-related health condition from workplace exposure, you may be eligible to make an industrial disease claim.
PCBs are man-made chemicals used from the 1930s in electrical equipment as coolants, insulators, and lubricants. Despite the ban, PCBs are still present in older products like paints, plastics, and old electrical devices such as refrigerators, TVs, and transformers.
Exposure to PCBs, especially in industrial settings, can cause conditions like chloracne, liver damage, endocrine disorders, immune suppression, nervous system issues, and workplace-related cancer.
Pesticide poisoning
Pesticides are chemicals used to control pests like plants, insects, and animals, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides. They are common in agriculture, textiles, catering, and home gardens. However, they can be harmful to humans if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.
Pesticide poisoning falls into three categories:
- Acute high-level exposure from inhaling or ingesting large amounts.
- Chronic high-level exposure, often affecting pesticide manufacturers.
- Chronic low-level exposure from residues in food, air, water, and soil.
Agricultural and manufacturing workers are most at risk. Improper handling or spillage can also lead to contamination of water, soil, and food. You may be eligible for compensation if affected.
See also:
PVC exposure
The Health and Safety Executive reports that heating Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) releases harmful substances like benzene, hydrogen chloride, and toluene. While PVC wasn’t considered dangerous until the 1960s, regulations since 1974 aim to limit exposure, as high levels are linked to serious illnesses like liver cancer.
Short-term inhalation of vinyl chloride may cause coughing, breathing issues, headaches, and fatigue, with extreme cases leading to coma. Ingesting PVC can cause vomiting and stomach pain, while skin contact may result in irritation or burns. Vinyl chloride is classified as a carcinogen, and long-term exposure can cause symptoms similar to Raynaud's disease and affect the nervous system.
If you’ve recently been exposed to PVC, it may be detected in urine or tissues. You may be able to claim compensation if a medical professional links your symptoms to your work environment.
See also:
Solvent exposure
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are solvents used in industries like engineering, construction, textiles, and printing. Without proper procedures and protective equipment, solvents can cause serious health issues.
Harmful solvents include acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene, xylene, and white spirit. Exposure occurs through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, often due to inadequate protective gear or safety measures.
Short-term exposure can cause nausea, dizziness, headaches, and impaired judgment. It can also irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs. Long-term exposure may lead to kidney and liver problems, brain and nervous system damage, fertility issues, and some solvents are carcinogenic. Compensation claims may be possible for those harmed by negligent solvent use.
Trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure
TCE is an industrial solvent used in several industries. Although TCE is not likely to be harmful in small doses, long-term exposure or exposure to a large amount of trichloroethylene can cause serious harm.
If you have been affected by TCE poisoning at work, you should be able to claim compensation.
Read more:
Trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure compensation claims
Teflon poisoning
Teflon®, a brand name for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is commonly used in non-stick cookware and various industrial applications. While PTFE is safe under normal conditions, heating it above 250°C releases harmful fumes.
Inhaling these fumes can cause chills, headaches, fevers, chest tightness, and a mild cough, with symptoms resembling the flu and typically subsiding within 24-48 hours. Severe cases, especially when heated above 450°C, can lead to permanent lung damage.
Workers in plastic, chemical manufacturing, and electronics may be at risk. Though Teflon-related compensation claims are rare, you may be eligible if exposure has made you ill.
Toluene exposure
Toluene, also known as methylbenzene, is widely used as a solvent in industries like engineering, construction, and textiles. Long-term or high-level exposure can harm workers' health, potentially leading to respiratory and neurological issues.
If you’ve become ill from toluene exposure at work, you may be eligible for compensation. Although toluene is quickly eliminated from the body, adverse effects occur with improper protective equipment, such as face masks and gloves.
Employers must limit toluene exposure to 50 parts per million over an 8-hour workday and implement safety measures like ventilation, air quality monitoring, and proper training. Employers who fail to ensure safety may be liable for resulting illnesses.
Chemical gas inhalation
Regardless of whether you were exposed recently, or some years ago, if you have recently learned that you were made ill by exposure to a harmful gas or fumes, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Read more:
Chemical gas inhalation compensation claims
Other harmful substances and chemicals
Although some types or injury or illness do have specific government schemes for compensation, such as mesothelioma, the key issue is whether or not the exposure caused you harm.
According to the latest 2024 figures from the HSE, 2,300 annual deaths resulting from mesothelioma.
Even if your illness is rare, or the circumstances of your exposure are unusual, your solicitor will gather the medical and other evidence needed to support your claim, and ensure you receive the full compensation required to fund your recovery and future care needs.
What is the law on harmful chemical exposure?
Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment for their employees. Whenever harmful chemicals are present, the employer must take action to minimise the effect they might have on a worker's health.
The primary piece of legislation is the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). Under COSHH, an employer must:
- Ensure that workplaces where hazardous chemicals are used have adequate ventilation and extraction equipment
- Issue personal protective clothing and equipment such as chemical safety goggles, skin protection and breathing apparatus where appropriate
- Store chemicals properly to prevent spillages and chemical poisoning
- Keep the concentration of harmful chemicals in the air below the maximum workplace exposure limit specified by the Health and Safety Executive from time to time
- Offer health checks to workers who may be at additional risk of chemical exposure or poisoning.
An employer who fails in their duty to protect workers from harmful exposure may be liable for any illnesses that arise as a result. An employer almost always will be negligent if they have breached a specific health and safety rule such as those laid down by COSHH.
How long does an industrial chemicals exposure claim take?
The length of time needed to secure compensation for exposure to harmful chemicals can vary significantly.
If your employer or responsible party accepts liability, a claim can settle in a matter of weeks. If the employer denies liability, a claim can take significantly longer. On average a hazardous substance injury claim takes 6 to 9 months.
No win, no fee injury compensation claims
With no win, no fee, you can claim injury compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
Get expert advice now
Interested in talking to an injury specialist about your claim?
- Calls are FREE
- Confidential consultation
- No obligation to claim
- No Win No Fee solicitors
Call 0800 376 1001
or arrange a callbackInjury FAQ's
Can I claim for someone else?
Yes. In certain circumstances, it is possible to claim compensation on behalf of another person in the capacity of a 'litigation friend'.
If an injured person is either vulnerable, too injured or otherwise unable to claim on their own behalf, their litigation friend can handle the claim process on behalf of the injured person.
The litigation friend will be responsible for communicating with the solicitors, and for making decisions in respect of the claim.
Read more:
Claiming on behalf of another person.
Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?
Yes. You may still be able to claim compensation even if your actions may have contributed to the accident.
However, if you were partly to blame (known as contributory negligence), your compensation may be reduced and it may be more difficult to prove liability.
Read more:
Claiming compensation if you were partly responsible for an accident.
Author:
Chris Salmon, Director
About the author
Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Injury Claims. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.