How long should you flush your eyes if exposed to a fumigant?

Flushing your eyes after exposure to a fumigant is crucial to remove harmful substances and minimize injury. The recommendation to flush your eyes for 15 minutes aligns with safety protocols commonly used in emergency situations involving chemical exposure. This duration is considered adequate to thoroughly wash away the contaminant, allowing for proper irrigation of the eyes to help prevent or mitigate damage.

Emergency guidelines often stress the importance of ensuring that the water is flowing gently and continuously during this flushing process. Flushing for at least 15 minutes also allows sufficient time for any chemical residues to be cleared from the eye surface, reducing the risk of irritation or long-term damage.

The other time frames provided, although they may seem reasonable, do not typically meet the established guidelines for chemical eye exposure. For instance, a shorter duration like 5 minutes may not be sufficient in cases of significant exposure. Likewise, longer durations beyond 15 minutes could lead to unnecessary discomfort and are generally not required unless symptoms persist or there are underlying complications that need medical evaluation.