By Wu Po-hsuan / Journalist
When cleaning ahead of the Lunar New Year, use drain cleaning products carefully to avoid chemical burns, the Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation said Saturday.
The foundation said it helped three people who suffered chemical burns from drain blockages, two of whom suffered burns to their skin and eyes.
One of the people surnamed Hu (胡) poured drain cleaner into a clogged bathroom pipe, causing the liquid to burst and leaving him with second-degree burns on his face, he said.
Photo: ANC
The cleaner he used didn't work well when he first poured it, so he tried adding hot water again afterward, but it didn't help clear the drain either, Hu said.
He switched to a different brand but suffered burns when the cleaner sprayed out as soon as he poured it, he said.
He immediately rinsed the burned area with water and continued rinsing in the ambulance, which helped reduce the extent of the burn, he said.
She later learned that the two products should not be used in quick succession because the ingredients and uses differ, she explained.
The foundation sought advice from a plumber named Chen (陳), who said that most chemical drain cleaners contain a strong alkaline or strong acid component that triggers thermal and chemical reactions to dissolve oil, dirt and other blockages.
The products are extremely caustic and react violently when mixed with water, Chen said, adding that ingredients and uses vary from product to product and some can be mixed with hot water while others cannot, which is why people miss the instructions should read carefully.
Chemical pipe cleaners can also damage and destroy pipes, especially old, brittle ones, he said.
He advised people not to pour food, oil and hair down drains to prevent blockage.
The foundation urged buyers of chemical drain cleaners to read instructions carefully, adding that warnings on packaging should be obvious and easy to understand.
Products should be presented in stores based on their properties and intended uses, he adds.
Anyone who suffers burns from drain cleaners should remain calm and immediately rinse the affected area with water, but do not submerge the area in water to prevent the chemicals from touching other parts of the body, the statement said.
If people are transported to the hospital, they should inform medical staff about the cause of the chemical burns and the type of chemicals they were exposed to, the statement added.
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