Medical Questions > General Forum Topics > General Q and A Forum

Did I inhale toxic gases?

Must Read
We burp, belch and fart an average of 12 times a day. But why do we have gas? And what is intestinal gas?...the basics here....
Intestinal gas forms from two main sources - swallowed air and bacteria in the intestine. Plus, learn which factors to avoid to decrease the likelihood of gas....
How much gas is normal? Usually symptoms of gas and flatulence are more bothersome than serious. But learn when you should seek help for excessive gas here....
User Profile
Hello

I work at Burger King and have done so for a while. We have at the restaurant this big machine that flame-grills frozen burger meat put into it.

Recently however, there were some inspectors visiting the restaurant, checking some things with the machine. In an attempt to fix something I presume, something happened which led smoke to come out and fill the entire restaurant. The smoke was dense and of gray color – it had a vicious smell of fat/oil and meat.

I was standing at the machine while this happened; I inevitably inhaled the smoke directly for app. 5 minutes.

I didn’t have any acute symptoms afterwards, maybe a little breathlessness; a feeling that air didn’t fill my lungs as effectively as usual. It is now a couple of days later and I guess I’m fine, but now I’m more concerned with the potential long-term effects of this inhalation of smoke.

Could this have caused any permanent (maybe long-term) damage to any of my organs?


Did you find this post helpful?
|

User Profile
replied February 23rd, 2007
General Q&A Answer A2357
That smoke from the grill probably contains mainly CO2, which is not a toxic gas. The other gases in the smoke (CO, NO2, SO2) are toxic... but inhaled in very small amounts can’t cause any permanent damage to any of your organs.
|
Did you find this post helpful?
DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our General Q and A , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.