MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Stoddard solvent

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Stoddard solvent

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Home Treatment Before Calling Emergency Poison Control, or a local emergency number What to expect at the emergency room Expectations (prognosis)

Alternative names

Texsolve S; Varsol 1

Definition Return to top

Poisoning caused by an exposure to stoddard solvent.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

petroleum distillates

Where Found Return to top

stoddard solvent (mineral spirits)
some paints
some dry cleaning fluids
paint thinner
liquid photocopier toners

Note: This list is not necessarily all inclusive.

Symptoms Return to top

body as a whole
- fever
- weakness
- convulsions
- numbness in arms and legs
- burning sensations
- headache
- memory problems
respiratory
- cough
- fast and shallow breathing
skin
- burns with prolonged contact
gastrointestinal
- nausea
- vomiting
- weight loss
heart and blood vessels
- rapid heartbeat
nervous system
- unconsciousness
- nervousness
- dizziness

Home Treatment Return to top

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING! Call Poison Control Center for appropriate treatment.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
the time it was swallowed
the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number Return to top

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring the poison container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Induce vomiting.
Administer activated charcoal.
Use gastric lavage.
Administer a cathartic (bowel evacuator).
Irrigate eyes and wash skin with soap and water if exposed.
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The amount of lung damage dictates the length of recovery time, if the patient survives the first 24 hours.

Update Date: 2/23/2004

Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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