With many people having everyday hazardous materials in their home like cleaners and different kinds of sprays, being exposed to those materials in a negative way can happen.

Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf says that when someone is exposed, there are a few things that could happen, like difficulty breathing, irritation to the eyes, skin and airways, headaches, dizziness and many other symptoms. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio what someone should do if they are accidentally exposed to harmful materials.

“One of the things that Iowa provides, and actually it’s available nationwide, is the Iowa Poison Control Center. If you think that you’ve been exposed to a chemical and you know what that is, of course, one of the most important things right away is to seek medical attention. But there’s also the National Poison Control Center that a person can call, which that number is 800-222-1222, and if you can tell them what it is that you believe that you were exposed to, they can give you the initial things that you could do for treatment.”

Kempf emphasizes that if a harmful, hazardous material is ingested, or spilled on someone, contacting medical help should be the first thing to do. He adds that some chemicals and materials can be more detrimental to a person’s health than others, so making sure that the necessary help can be provided is important.