A partial answer to your second question is
The old chemistry rule, Acid into water or water into acid?
If someone were to splash themselves with a strong acid, their saturated clothing must be removed and any liquid on their body removed before the safety shower. We had a chemist that was carrying a bottle of phosphorus oxychloride that broke and saturate his lab coat. He immediately went to the safety shower. Water into acid reaction on his clothing was so exothermic that he got second degree burns on his chest. Water is fine with water reactive materials as long as most of it is removed before the shower.
We had a second case where the technician was splashed with a water reactive material and did not remove her clothing. He was almost overcome with the diethylamine that was formed
In HazMat response they call it bikini burns when people do not completely remove their clothing before showering.
Eugene Ngai
Chemically Speaking LLC
www.chemicallyspeakingllc.com
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Margaret Rakas
Sent: Friday, July 26, 2019 12:06 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Is lead sheeting a source of lead dust? And-Chemical Exposure question...
So...two questions for Friday...
1) If you found a large stack of lead sheets...sitting in a storage area for some time (who knows how long!?)...would you be concerned about lead dust in the immediate area, say the surrounding floor? I understand that grinding, sanding, filing, etc creates lead dust but this situation doesn't fit any of those...I cannot find any references so in case I'm imagining that just because it's soft, dust forms over time....I wanted to check...
2) A student asked me if there were any chemicals for which you would NOT want to use water in case of chemical exposure. I did a quick search and the Canadian CCOHS (their OSHA) advises "...Note that the manufacturer/supplier .. may recommend an alternative agent in exceptional cases if water is clearly inappropriate." I have read plenty of SDS's in my time but have never seen an SDS state anything other than using water as the first step. Has anyone ever encountered any other initial instructions for dermal or eye exposure? (Of course there may be additional steps AFTER water flushing, like use of calcium gluconate gel, etc)...
MANY THANKS and happy Friday to all!
Margaret
--
Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Lab Safety & Compliance Director
Clark Science Center
413-585-3877 (p)
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