Warning, Oxalic Acid cleaners

Seajet

Seajet

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Under the heading 'GRP Restorers' on the PBO thread I have mentioned what happened to me after I treated this stuff carelessly; if ever considering using Oxalic Acid based 'cleaners' please read it - I don't think I'm allowed to reproduce it again here but it's not far to PBO and I urge you to learn by my mistake !
 
Alternatively, people might be better advised just to pay heed to the prominent warnings printed on the packaging of all oxalic acid cleaners.
 
pvb,

This was quite a few years ago when maybe warnings weren't quite so prominent; but I'm willing to take smart remarks from such god-like creatures as yourself who've never done anything wrong, if it warns one person...
 
Warnings on the packaging or not, the word 'acid' in the description should be a bit of a give away that it should be treated with care.

Out of interest, does anyone know for certain, I would be inclined to want to treat an acid burn with a mild alkali, such as bicarbonate of soda mixed in water. Would that not ease the burning quicker?
 
Depends what you mean by prominent, I would guess more prominent nowadays; I've been thinking, it must have been around 1991.

Doesn't cost anything to mention it though does it ?
 
The below knowledge may be of of use in this situation, found on a medical web site. I do not have any calcium gluconate on board so it appears copious amounts of water is the best alternative


http://www.medbc.com/annals/review/vol_14/num_3/text/vol14n3p111.asp

First aid after a chemical burn should aim to remove the victim from the danger area and remove all clothing impregnated with the chemical, without causing injury to the rescuer. Washing with copious quantities of water should be carried out on site for 15 to 30 minutes. This should be done within the first hour of injury and then repeated in the emergency room for a period of 2 h in the case of acids
The use of water is preferable because the exothermic reaction resulting from the combination of strong acids and bases may cause further thermal injury. The exceptions are burns caused by hydrofluoric acid and oxalic acid, in which case calcium gluconate should be used.

Early debridement (removal) of blisters is important to eliminate the chemical substance rapidly.
 
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Disregarding the wisdom or otherwise employed by the OP, I'm surprised at the level of injury described. I've got a bottle of oxalic solution with extra crystals undissolved in the bottom so I presume it's rather strong (!). I do use it sparingly and with great care but even so I have got the odd spot on my wrist from time to time, between the top of the glove and bottom of the sleeve. It has never done more than cause a bit of discomfort before washing it off - nothing like Seajet describes, thank goodness.
Perhaps some people are more sensitive to O.A. than others.
 
Cantata,

I'm not saying I'm the Terminator, but I don't remember it affecting my hands; on my forearms, especially inside ( ie the pale bit usually ) was a very different matter; if my fellow member with knowledge hadn't been there it would definitely have been a very painful trip to A&E.

As I mentioned, even an ex-Matron was surprised how bad it was ( though I think I just avoided blisters, that post on medical tips was very good ).

Possibly it's not so strong now - also though I was told 'at least half an hour' it took a good 40 minutes total immersion - splashing and running my arms past under a pouring tap didn't work at all.
 
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The skin on the inside of the arms is quite thin/sensitive. The hands however will take a great deal more punishment.
 
Seajet said:
Under the heading 'GRP Restorers' on the PBO thread I have mentioned what happened to me after I treated this stuff carelessly; if ever considering using Oxalic Acid based 'cleaners' please read it - I don't think I'm allowed to reproduce it again here but it's not far to PBO and I urge you to learn by my mistake !
Click to expand...

Seajet, I totally agree with all the safe care when using oxalic as I have used it several times now and have had some sensation on said part of arms, but I am inclined to think that the cleaner/degreaser you were using must have contained a % of either Sulphuric or Hydrochloric acid to have caused such burns, as even a very concentrated mix running up/down my arms dident result in anything near as bad as that.
C_W
 
I work in the chemical industry and some folk think I'm a bit Cavalier about PPE, but I'm carefull when using oxalic acid and make sure I wash off any splashes pretty damn quick. I haven't had any itchy or red bits though.

I put a splash of water in the bottom of a bucket and some xtals. Brush it in to the brown bits with the deck brush, or the wood work and leave it to dry on. After a cupper or beer or other beverage of your choice, the dried on xtals will be glistening in the sun, don't do it on a wet day, no point. Give it a good scrub with copious quantities of water and look at that (as the French say), it's better than it was.
 
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