New Mexico Oil Field Chemical Exposure Attorneys

How Dangerous Chemical Exposure Happens in New Mexico Oil Fields

Dangerous exposure to chemicals in oil fields can result in many types of injuries and health complications for workers. Safety protocols and gear are designed to protect workers from the worst consequences of their unavoidable proximity to hazardous substances, but equipment failure, machinery malfunctions, human error, and even basic carelessness can all cause harmful exposure. 

Chemical exposure can frequently cause immediate, acute injuries in many scenarios. Chemical burns, for instance, can occur when skin comes into direct contact with corrosive substances found in drilling fluids or if spills occur with acidic or caustic cleaning agents. Inhalation of toxic fumes from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can cause respiratory irritation, difficulty breathing, and, in extreme cases, chemical pneumonia – a severe inflammation of the lungs caused by inhaling irritant chemicals.

In addition to acute injuries, long-term exposure to the hazardous chemicals present in oil fields can lead to chronic health complications. Persistent contact with carcinogenic compounds found in crude oil may increase the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or skin cancer, especially when exposure is compounded over years of work without adequate protective gear or safety measures. Similarly, regular inhalation of sulfur-containing gases, like hydrogen sulfide, can lead to a range of serious respiratory issues, including chronic bronchitis, and more severe conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary edema.

The risk of injury or illness is not limited to exposure during daily operations but is also significant during accidental spills, leaks, or other unplanned release events. Such occurrences drastically heighten the chances of contact with concentrated chemicals, thereby multiplying the health risks. These incidents often require an immediate emergency response to contain and mitigate the adverse effects on both workers and the environment. Without effective safety training and proper incident management, workers caught in such hazardous situations might suffer from acute chemical toxicity, leading to immediate and potentially life-threatening health concerns.

Put simply: “Chemical exposure” can be a one-time incident that causes immediate, obvious injuries or a subtle, even invisible threat that inflicts harm over an extended period. Our New Mexico oil field chemical exposure attorneys are ready to investigate both types of scenarios and can work to determine who is at fault.