Lawsuits have been filed by hospital workers who developed health problems after using OxyCide Daily Disinfectant Cleaner.
Need a Texas OxyCide Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with breathing problems, skin burns, or other side effects of OxyCide, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
UPDATE: OxyCide Lawsuit Filed by Hospital Housekeeper Accuses Ecolab of Hiding Health Risks
In May 2020, an OxyCide lawsuit was filed by a hospital housekeeper in California who developed nose bleeds and severe coughing for months.
The lawsuit accuses Ecolab of failing to warn about the dangers of exposure to OxyCide Daily Disinfectant Cleaner.
This has resulted in hundreds of hospital employees suffering from short-term side effects and unknown long-term health problems, according to the lawsuit.
“There have been numerous reports of employees developing serious health related issues concerning OxyCide, including difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, burning eyes, burning throat, bronchospasms, and/or vocal cord stridor.”
Ecolab is also accused of falsely claiming that OxyCide has similar side effects as other disinfectants.
The lawsuit also cites data from a research company called ChemDAQ showing a risk of kidney problems, pulmonary edemas, and circulatory problems after long-term exposure to the chemicals in OxyCide.
The lawsuit (PDF) was filed on May 8, 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota — In RE: Eadson v. Ecolab, Inc. et al. — Case Number 0:20-cv-01126.
Nurse Files OxyCide Injury Lawsuit
In May 2020, a nurse who suffered health problems from OxyCide filed a lawsuit against Ecolab Inc. and a Kaiser hospital in California. Click here to read more.
What is OxyCide?
OxyCide™ Daily Disinfectant Cleaner is a relatively new sanitizing chemical that is advertised for use in hospitals by its Minnesota-based manufacturer, Ecolab Inc. OxyCide is particularly effective against spores of Clostridium difficile (C. diff), an antibiotic-resistant bacteria that causes thousands of infections every year.
What is the Problem?
OxyCide contains powerful chemicals that are necessary to kill viruses, bacteria, and spores — but these same powerful chemicals may also pose dangerous health risks to hospital employees.
What is in OxyCide?
OxyCide contains hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid. When these chemicals combine, they create a highly-toxic chemical called peracetic acid (also known as PAA or peroxyacetic acid). Unfortunately, even low levels of exposure to PAA is known to cause breathing problems, skin burns, and more.
Side Effects of OxyCide Exposure
- Breathing problems
- Shortness of breath
- Asthma-like symptoms
- Worsening pre-existing asthma
- Burning eyes, nose, and throat
- Runny nose
- Nose bleeds
- Coughing
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin burns and rashes
- Digestive problems
- And more
Health Risks of OxyCide for Hospital Workers
The side effects of OxyCide can appear in as little as 15 minutes. One hospital employee described using it “like working with onions.” The most common side effect is short-term irritation to the nose, throat, eyes, and lungs. The long-term effects are unknown, but some people have developed chronic breathing problems after repeated exposure.
OxyCide Lawsuits & Class Actions
Ecolab Inc. is facing a growing number of Oxycide lawsuits from people who were injured, as well as class action lawsuits. These lawsuits accuse Ecolab of failing to warn hospitals about the risks of OxyCide, as well as failing to recommend the use of protective gear for workers.
In February 2020, an OxyCide Class Action Lawsuit (PDF) was filed in Minnesota by 3 hospital workers. One of the workers now suffers from constant asthma-like symptoms, shortness of breath, she must use an albuterol inhaler.
NIOSH Investigation Into OxyCide Health Problems
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published an OxyCide Health Hazard Report after investigating reports of health problems among housekeeping staff at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
During the investigation, many victims reported suffering breathing problems after using OxyClide to clean poorly-ventilated areas, particularly shower stalls in bathrooms. There were also reports of skin burns when OxyCide was splashed or spilled. OxyCide vapors in the air were also linked to increased reports of nose and eye irritation.
Growing Number of Studies Link OxyCide and Asthma
Lawsuits accuse Ecolab of ignoring studies linking asthma and other serious health problems to Hydrogen Peroxide-Peracetic Acid (PAA) mixtures.
For example, 6 years before OxyCide hit the market, a study (PDF) in 2007 detailed 2 cases of hospital workers who developed asthma after using this chemical mixture to disinfect endoscopic equipment.
More recent studies confirm that OxyCide poses harmful health effects. In October 2017, another study (PDF) found that people who were exposed to OxyCide were 3X more likely to have asthma. The most common complaints were wheezing, watery eyes, mucous membrane irritation, and respiratory problems.
Need an OxyCide Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.
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