Recently we had an accident in the general chemistry lad where a student spilled some 4.0M NaoH on her wrist. The protocol we have followed in the past is to wash with water for 15 minutes and then send to the University Health Center. We. normally follow the protocol to "Protect, but not treat". The skin was slightly red due to the spill. When the student reached (was escorted to) the Health Center, they said they could not treat chemical burns. They wanted to send her to the hospital emergency room, but the student didn't go because of lack of insurance. Three days after the accident, the student's wrist still has a few pink spots. The questions are: 1. Should we (lab instructors) treat by neutralizing the base with something llike vinega, rather than just washing? 2. Who should be responsible (or maybe liable) for appropriate treatment? Howd do university health centers handle someting like this incident at other universities? Thanks for any information, Ed Senkbeil Chemistry Department Salisbury University
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