Sunday, July 21, 2019

The Risks And Solutions For Dealing 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.

There are several short term health risks. They most often start with dizziness and headache. When there is more exposure, these symptoms may progress to nausea and vomiting. Some will include irritation to the nose, eyes, and throat. If some is spilled on the skin, you may experience a burning sensation or develop a skin rash.

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.

When ventilation is difficult to achieve, you should wear a mask. There are typical cheap masks that you can buy at any pharmacy. These are often seen by people wanting to avoid pollution. However, they are usually not strong enough to avoid vapors from solvents. Instead, you should opt for an industrial type of mask. These have filters that can be exchanged and are usually strong enough to filter stronger chemical fumes.

Mixing products can be dangerous. If you are not sure what you are doing, do not mix products. This includes spraying one product on top of another before the first is washed away. Bases and acids do not mix and very dangerous fumes will occur. Before you mix anything, read the directions and safety sheet to be sure you are doing it correctly and at the right levels. When in doubt, simply do not mix 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.

Safety around chemicals and solvents is very important regardless of using them at home or work. They are chemicals and though designed to be used by people can still be dangerous if used improperly. Understand the safety steps needed before you use the products.




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