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Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:42:36 -0700
Reply-To: Lucy Dillman <lucydillman**At_Symbol_Here**COMCAST.NET>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Lucy Dillman <lucydillman**At_Symbol_Here**COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Undergraduate Accident
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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