Sunday, July 21, 2019

How To Safely Work With Solvent Vapors

By William Turner


Household and industrial chemicals can be dangerous if handled incorrectly or you do not follow the safety instructions included with the product. There are different properties with each chemical that can make them caustic when used or mixed in the wrong way. There are important pieces of information that come with the bottles or containers that should be read before using them. One big issue that needs to be understood, is how to deal with solvent vapors.

Short term health risks can occur. These usually start with a headache or dizziness. As more exposure occurs, you may develop nausea and vomit. Other symptoms include irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. A skin rash or burning sensation may develop if some spilled on your skin.

Long term health risks are more severe. These can easily lead to permanent damage. Such issues include throat and lung damage. Others will damage the liver and kidneys. Severe exposure can also lead to issues with the central nervous system and possibly cancer. Following safety precautions is absolutely critical if you work in a field where you are often exposed to solvents and other chemicals.

The first step in using any solvent is to make sure there is plenty of ventilation. Opening a door or window will allow fresh are into the work area. Should this be impossible, there are ways to get fresh air in by using a fan or ventilation tube. If the area is enclosed, the fumes can build to a very dangerous level and should be ventilated before anyone enters the area.

Where ventilation is not available, masks should be worn. There are many different types of masks that can provide protection. The common masks seen on television shows are usually not enough. You will want to be sure the mask has a filter that will protect you from the fumes. Simply covering your mouth and nose will not do the trick. When you choose one for this type of work, it should be an industrial grade and have the right type of rating for the products you are using.

Do not mix products unless you know what you are doing. This is critical. Mixing even household products can cause a dangerous reaction if you are not sure what you are doing. The different products could be a base and acid, which will cause a deadly fume cloud. Only mix chemicals if instructed to do so and you understand the safety precautions included with each product. If you are not sure, simply don't mix the chemicals.

First aid procedures should be learned before you work with any chemicals. Make sure you can move away from the work area and get fresh air the moment you feel dizzy or have a headache. This is an early warning sign that you are inhaling too many fumes. If you do not have an eyewash station, you can buy a portable eyewash bottle that comes premade with distilled water. If you get anything on your skin, be sure to wash it as quickly as possible. If you swallow anything, you need to contact poison control immediately and be prepared to seek professional medical assistance. Ingesting chemicals is very dangerous, so move quickly.

Being safe around solvents and other chemicals is critical whether you are mopping your floors or performing an industrial level chemical cleaning process on large equipment. Regardless of the situation, these can be dangerous if handled incorrectly. Products and chemicals are required to come with safety information. Be sure to read it before starting any work.




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