Neutralizing acids or bases releases the heat of neutralization, and can cause thermal burns as well as chemical damage. Flushing with copious amounts of water is generally the correct response. Being thoroughly acquainted with the acid or base involved before using it (MSDS) will help determine the proper course of action. Lucy Dillman Senior Research Associate PATH Seattle, WA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cynthia Runkel"To: Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 4:08 PM Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Undergraduate Accident > Ed, > > This is actually a common incident in General Chemistry labs. Irrigating > the exposure for 15 minutes is the only thing to do. The student can wash > it with soap and water in the rest room after the 15 minutes. The health > center doctor or emergency room doctor would not do anything > different. The skin redness will go away in a few days. You should not add > an acid to a hydroxide exposure. > > Cynthia A. Runkel > Assistant Chemist/Preproom Manager > Chemistry Department, University of Arizona > Koffler 315 520-621-9979 > crunkel**At_Symbol_Here**email.arizona.edu > > "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you > didn't do than by the ones you did" -Mark Twain > > At 05:12 PM 4/12/2007 -0400, Jo Wagoner wrote: > >We had a similar situation. Neutralizing was not considered treating by the > >Health Center. In our case, it was an acid burn that we neutralized with > >bicarb. > > > > > >On 4/12/07 2:52 PM, "Edward Senkbeil" wrote: > > > > > 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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