When should vomiting be induced following ingestion of a chemical?
Evidence and common sense indicate that inducing vomiting is NOT necessary in most situations where there has been an occupational chemical ingestion. Some of the arguments against inducing vomiting are: • The amount of chemical accidentally ingested by an adult is generally estimated to be very small (14-21 mL or about 0.5-0.75 oz). • There is no conclusive evidence that victims of chemical ingestion who do have their stomachs emptied have more successful outcomes than victims who do not. • There can be significant risks associated with inducing vomiting especially in emergency situations. • There does not seem to be a reliable and safe first aid procedure for inducing vomiting in adults. • Medical attention is usually available quite quickly in most situations. In the event of a chemical ingestion, the best course of action is to call your local Poison Control Centre or a doctor and follow their advice. They will ask you specific questions, such as the name of the product ingested, t
