There are many chemicals used in science and technology that can cause harm when inhaled.
In most cases, the level of exposure will be low enough to keep the risk to an acceptable level but there are circumstances where larger scale exposure is possible.
If there is a significant leak, for example if a large container of ammonia or similar breaks, remove the casualty (and everyone else) from the area and sit them down in another, uncontaminated room.
Be aware of protecting yourself too – do not put your own safety at risk.
The most likely scenario, though, is when a student has taken a sniff directly from a test-tube or flask rather than wafting. In this case, others will not be at risk.
There is nothing of significance you can do other than remove the victim to somewhere with clean air and summon the first aider.
In the case of exposure to nitric acid or notrogen dioxide, be aware that symptoms can sometimes only develop up to three days later, In the case of significant exposure the victim should always be taken to hopsital.
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