We have a photograph of the scar that remains from an acid spill being 
neutralized with bicarbonate on skin - thermal burn (heat of 
neutralization) on top of chemical burn. Man with the scar says it 
seemed like a good idea at the time.

Wash with running water, 15 minutes: dilute the corrosive, wash it away 
& cool the irritated skin. No scrubbing; no soap; no brushes; don't do 
chemistry on your skin.

Sheila M. Kennedy, CHO
Safety Coordinator
Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories
Chemistry & Biochemistry, UCSanDiego
(858) 534-0221 


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
>   

-- 
Sheila M. Kennedy, CHO
Safety Coordinator
Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories
Chemistry & Biochemistry, UCSanDiego
(858) 534-0221 

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