Beware! A man almost lost his eyesight while unclogging the toilet because of this... You may also have one at home

Edit: April

In daily life, when encountering toilet or sewer blockage, many people will choose to buy a bottle of unblocker to try to solve the problem themselves, but if used carelessly, the consequences can be disastrous!

Recently, the toilet at home of 45-year-old Yu Ge in Zhejiang was clogged, so he bought a pipe unblocker online. After the unblocker arrived at home, he bent down and poured the whole box of unblocker into the toilet. In an instant, the powder mixed with the liquid splashed up, and Yu Ge had no time to react or dodge, and a large amount of liquid splashed directly onto his eyes, face and even arms .

Suddenly, Yu Ge felt severe pain in his eyes and could not open them, so his family rushed him to the hospital. After examination, it was found that his right eye was almost blind, his cornea was completely cloudy and white, and his corneal margin was pale and was ischemic, which was the most serious level of eye burns, Grade VI .

At the same time, nearly half of his left eye's cornea was burned, but he could still see things. After treatment, Mr. Yu has been discharged from the hospital, and the condition of both eyes has improved. The left eye has saved its eyeball and vision, but the right eye still needs multiple surgeries. Doctors said that his vision damage may be irreversible.

What exactly is pipe cleaner?

Why is it so powerful?

At present, the common pipe dredging agents on the market are roughly divided into three categories: liquid, block and powder. The main ingredients of pipe dredging agents are sodium hydroxide and aluminum powder. Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive strong alkali that can react chemically with common pollutants such as water, grease, and hair to relieve blockage. However, when sodium hydroxide meets water, it will generate a lot of heat. The heat increases in the narrow space of the pipe, and the pressure increases accordingly. At this time, the liquid will splash out from the narrow pipe and release gas, which will corrode the human skin and damage the mouth, nose, eyes and other organs .

The doctor said that strong acids and alkalis (such as concentrated sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide) will release heat during the dissolution and dilution process, and should be done slowly . However, Yu Ge poured undiluted solid sodium hydroxide directly into the toilet. There was a lot of water in the toilet. The heat suddenly released when the strong alkali came into contact with water caused the accumulated water to boil and splash instantly, eventually causing accidental injury.

In orders for pipe cleaning agent-related products, merchants generally provide customized reminder cards to remind consumers that the product is corrosive and will produce violent chemical reactions when it comes into contact with water.

Correct use of pipe cleaning agent

1. Observe the signs

Give priority to products with clear ingredients, clear content, complete production date and shelf life, prominent safety warnings and precautions, and complete instruction manuals.

2. Safe use

Read the instructions carefully, strictly follow the recommended dosage and steps, pour slowly, in small amounts and multiple times, and don't be greedy or rush. Unclogging agents often react violently, so it is not recommended to use hot water.

3. Proper placement

It should be placed out of reach of children. Try to keep the product in a cool and dry place. Make sure to seal it tightly to avoid direct contact with the skin or oral administration.

4. Protective measures

During use, pay attention to protect yourself, especially the exposed parts such as eyes and hands. You can wear gloves and masks to avoid irritation or burns caused by the unclogging agent.

Notice!

Do not mix cleaning products randomly

The following 6 recommended collections

⚠️ Bleach + acidic toilet cleaner (such as toilet cleaner)

When cleaning the toilet, using bleach combined with an acidic formula can release toxic fumes that can cause breathing problems and make people cry.

⚠️ Mixing different pipe cleaning agents

Drain cleaners are strong chemicals used to unclog sewers. Mixing different brands of drain cleaners may release chlorine gas, which can even cause an explosion.

⚠️ Ammonia-containing cleaner (such as glass cleaner) + bleach (such as 84 disinfectant)

Mixing these two cleaning products can produce toxic ammonium chloride vapors that can burn the respiratory tract if inhaled.

⚠️ Vinegar + Bleach

Both are good disinfectants, but mixing them will produce toxic chlorine gas, which can seriously damage the lungs and burn the eyes.

⚠️ Hydrogen peroxide + vinegar

Mixing hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide) and vinegar will produce highly corrosive peracetic acid, which can irritate and damage organs such as the skin, eyes, throat, nose and lungs at high concentrations.

⚠️ Alcohol + Bleach

The mixture of these two substances will produce toxic gas chloroform. Low concentrations of chloroform can cause dizziness or nausea, while inhalation of high concentrations of chloroform can damage the nervous system, eyes, lungs, skin, liver, and kidneys, and even lead to death in severe cases. In addition, the mixture of the two will also produce hydrochloric acid, which can easily burn the skin.

Always read the labels of cleaning products carefully before using them to prevent accidents, and never mix two cleaning products if you are unsure whether they can be mixed.

Safety Tips

If you are accidentally burned by liquid, do not apply toothpaste, soy sauce, flour, etc., as this will only make things worse. If it is a small-scale hand burn, rinse with running water and disinfect with iodine or alcohol. Then apply ointment or go to the hospital for treatment depending on the burn. If you accidentally swallow the pipe cleaning agent, it may cause damage to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, and in severe cases, it may cause gastric perforation. Scientific treatment and timely medical treatment are very necessary. If you feel obvious discomfort or splash into your eyes, it is recommended to go to the nearest hospital immediately.

Reference sources: Shengongshe, Night News, Workers' Daily, Shanghai Consumer Protection Committee, "Farmers Get Rich"