General Chemical Exposure Procedures

• Immediately flush affected areas with water for no less than 15 minutes. For larger splashes the safety shower should be used
• While rinsing, quickly remove all contaminated clothing or jewelry
• Use caution when removing pullover shirts or sweaters to prevent contamination of the eyes
• Check the Safety Data Sheet to determine if any delayed effects should be expected
• Discard contaminated clothing or launder them separately from other clothing. Leather garments or accessories cannot be decontaminated and should be discarded
• Immediately flush the eyes at an emergency eyewash station for at least 15 minutes
• Remove contact lenses, if you are wearing them
• Seek medical attention

Chemicals in Eyes

Most standard sources recommend that water rinsing/flushing following skin or eye contact with a chemical should continue for 15 or 20 minutes. However, all chemicals do not cause the same degree of effects (some are non-irritants while others can cause severe corrosive injury) so there is insufficient scientific evidence available to completely address the question of how long flushing should occur. Tailor the duration of flushing to the known effects of the chemical or product, as follows:

• Remove contact lenses, if you are wearing them
• 5 minutes for non-irritants or mild irritants
• 15-20 minutes for moderate to severe irritants and chemicals that cause acute toxicity if absorbed through the skin
• 30 minutes for most corrosives
• 60 minutes for strong alkalis (e.g. sodium, potassium or calcium hydroxide).
• Seek medical attention

It is very important that water flushing start immediately following skin or eye contact with a chemical. It is better if complete water flushing occurs on-site. However, moving the victim to an emergency care facility earlier may be necessary depending on the victim's condition (e.g. compromised airways, breathing or circulation) and/or the availability of a suitable water supply. If it is necessary to transport the victim before completing flushing on-site, flushing should continue during emergency transport, taking proper precautions to protect emergency services personnel.

Note that the manufacturer/supplier may also specify a cleansing agent (e.g. non-abrasive soap) if appropriate or may recommend an alternative agent in exceptional cases if water is clearly inappropriate.

Hydrofluoric Acid - Calcium Gluconate Gel

Laboratory personnel should be trained in first-aid procedures for HF exposure before beginning work. Calcium gluconate gel (2.5% w/w) must be readily accessible in work areas where any potential HF exposure exists. Calcium gluconate can be acquired through chemical vendors and certain pharmacies.

• Rinse with water for 5 minutes
• Apply 2.5% (w/w) calcium gluconate gel onto the affected area. If no gel is available, rinse for 15 minutes
• Seek immediate medical attention
• NOTE: Check the expiration date of your supply of commercially obtained calcium gluconate gel and reorder as needed to ensure a supply of fresh stock
• For further information, review the Hydrofluoric Acid Fact Sheet

Phenols (>10%) – Polyethylene glycol (PEG 300)

Laboratory personnel should be trained in first-aid procedures for Phenol exposure before beginning work. PEG 300 must be readily accessible in work areas where any potential Phenol exposure exists.

• Quickly remove contaminated clothing
• For small affected areas:
  • Swab polyethylene glycol 300 or 400 (PEG 300 or PEG 400) onto the affected area immediately and repeatedly until there is no detectable phenol odor
  • Seek medical attention
  • If PEG 300 or PEG 400 is not available, flush area with copious amounts of water (such as from a drench hose or safety shower) for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical attention
• For large affected areas: Flush area with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical attention

NOTE: Using a high-density water source for irrigation such as a drench hose or safety shower will reduce phenol uptake, but if lesser amounts of water are used it will merely dilute the phenol and increase the area of exposure