Why do you get burned all over when you play in the water? Keep these chemicals away from your home!

Expert of this article: Chu Yuhao, PhD of Beijing University of Chemical Technology, engineer of Sinopec Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Industry

As the year draws to a close, a piece of news is particularly worrying.

A 10-year-old girl in Shijiazhuang smeared caustic soda on her body and went to play in the water, resulting in severe burns all over her body!

Weibo screenshot

What is caustic soda? Why do you get burned all over when playing in the water? What should you do if you accidentally come into contact with caustic soda? Let's learn about it together today.

What is caustic soda?

Caustic soda is the common name for the chemical sodium hydroxide (NaOH). In addition to caustic soda, sodium hydroxide is also called "caustic soda", "caustic soda", etc.

Sodium hydroxide is a colorless flaky solid at room temperature. Industrial products often contain a small amount of sodium chloride and sodium carbonate and appear white. It is a highly alkaline and corrosive chemical reagent with a wide range of uses in industry.

The soap we are familiar with in our lives is made by saponification reaction involving sodium hydroxide;

The synthesis of monosodium glutamate, the main ingredient of MSG, which is often available in the kitchen, also requires sodium hydroxide;

Industrially, sodium hydroxide is also used to produce borax, oxalic acid, etc.

Due to the strong alkalinity of sodium hydroxide, it can also be used to clean oil stains in range hoods.

What are the hazards of caustic soda?

Sodium hydroxide itself is highly corrosive and has a strong corrosive effect on glass, ceramics, etc. under wet conditions.

When sodium hydroxide dissolves in water and encounters water vapor, it releases a large amount of heat, which is the direct cause of the severe burns suffered by the girl in the news.

The solution formed when sodium hydroxide is dissolved in water is highly alkaline and corrosive. Direct contact with the skin and eyes can cause burns. If ingested by mistake, it can cause severe burns to the gastrointestinal mucosa, and in severe cases it can even be life-threatening.

What should I do if I accidentally come into contact with caustic soda?

In life and work, if we accidentally come into contact with sodium hydroxide, we must not panic blindly, but must handle it safely in the correct way.

If the skin is accidentally contaminated with sodium hydroxide solid, do not rinse directly with water.

Because sodium hydroxide releases a lot of heat when dissolved in water, it can cause skin burns.

At this time, you should use a dry cloth or dry paper towel to gently wipe off the solid matter remaining on the skin, wipe it clean with a dry cloth, and then rinse it with clean water. If the burn is more serious, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately.

If sodium hydroxide liquid splashes onto the skin

It is necessary to wipe it immediately with a dry cloth or clean paper towel. Do not wipe too hard to avoid expanding the contact area. After wiping, it is necessary to rinse with plenty of clean water. If the burn is serious, it is also recommended to seek medical attention immediately.

If you accidentally take sodium hydroxide, do not drink a lot of water or rinse your mouth with water.

Otherwise, the corrosive solution will diffuse in large quantities while releasing heat, causing more tissues in the body to be burned.

At this time, you should immediately take milk or egg white, using the principle that strong acids and strong alkalis can denature proteins. Use the protein in milk and egg white to consume some of the sodium hydroxide that was accidentally ingested, and then seek medical attention immediately.

What other highly corrosive things are there in life?

In addition to the caustic soda we mentioned earlier, another corrosive substance you may come into contact with in your life is the "toilet cleaner" used when cleaning the toilet.

The main ingredient of toilet cleaner is hydrochloric acid, which is a highly volatile strong acid that has a strong irritating effect on the skin and mucous membranes.

When you need to use caustic soda and hydrochloric acid in your daily life, you must take protective measures, wear gloves and masks, and avoid direct contact with your hands.

It is worth noting that the folk remedy of “using alkali when encountering acid and acid when encountering alkali” is actually very dangerous!

Acids and alkalis themselves have a strong irritating effect on the skin, and when acids and alkalis are mixed and neutralized, a large amount of heat is also released, which can even cause secondary burns in severe cases.

In conclusion

If you need to contact

If there are corrosive substances such as strong acids and alkalis

Be sure to take good protection and operate safely

Once accidentally touched or ingested

Be sure to follow the correct method to handle

Seek medical attention promptly

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