How To Safely Work With Solvent Vapors

By William Turner


Working with chemicals, even household ones, can be dangerous if you do not make sure you are following safety directions. Different products have properties that could cause them to be caustic if used or mixed improperly. The instructions that come with each product give specific details on how to best use them. Solvent vapors can occur when used and steps should be taken to be sure you are doing things in a safe manner.

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.

The longer-term risks to your health are more severe. If you are frequently exposed to unsafe environments you may develop lung and throat damage. Further exposure can risk damage to your liver or kidneys. In more severe cases, damage to the central nervous system or cancer can develop. It is really important to follow all safety protocols in order to avoid overexposure and the risks that are associated with it.

Ventilation is the first step to reducing risks to exposure. In many cases, you can open a window or door to allow more fresh air inside. If this is not possible or doesn't allow enough fresh air to circulate, you may be able to use a fan to pull in air from another room or outside. This can be dangerous if the product fumes are flammable, so be sure to check the instructions.

Masks should be worn to avoid breathing in the toxic fumes. The paper masks that are found in pharmacies are not enough to do the job. You need to get an industrial or paint mask that is designed with replaceable filters. This will help prevent the fumes from entering your lungs. Wearing a cloth or cheap mask is not a valid solution and will only increase the risk by making you think you are being properly protected. The mask should be checked to make sure it provides the correct rating on filtration.

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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