In under 10 seconds of contact, chemical substances penetrate deep into the layers of skin. Rinsing with water only dilutes the chemical, allowing it to spread further. The slogan: Water first, the rest follows is not always correct.
Learn about the best safety measures to take when working with chemicals.
What exactly are the differences between chemical and thermal burns?
Chemical burns
Chemical burns are caused by the effects of chemicals on the skin and on the hypodermis tissue below. The reaction is similar to thermal burns, only the chemical substance can also enter the bloodstream, resulting in blood poisoning.
This means that treatment is very different.
Treatment of chemical burns with Diphoterine® and Hexafluorine®
Flushing with water will dilute the chemical substance, reducing the aggressive nature of the product.
For concentrated substances that enter the skin layers almost immediately, water is often not adequate. Highly concentrated chemicals require neutralisation within 10 seconds of substance contact.
The best way to treat chemical wounds is with Diphoterine®. This is a unique medical rinse solution which rapidly and effectively stops the aggressive action of both acids and bases.
Diphoterine® also works on solvents, oxidants, chelating agents and reducing agents and has been effectively tested against more than 1,500 unique chemicals. It consists of a customised molecule that attracts the chemical substance and renders it harmless. Due to its amphoteric and hypertone properties, it is safe to use to encapsulate all chemicals (except hydrogen fluoride). Penetration of the harmful chemical is prevented by “pulling” the chemical from the tissue and encapsulating it.
Diphoterine® is available in different sizes: Mini-aerosols, eyewash bottles, mobile showers, and also wall-mounted units that can be easily mounted to the wall at different locations in the workplace.
When choosing the right Diphoterine® size:
- Portable eye wash (50ml): for fast response in 10 seconds, one eye
- Eye wash (500ml): for more thorough rinsing within 60 seconds, one eye
- Spray (100ml): for hands or small surfaces, to be used within 60 seconds
- Spray (200ml): for face and arms, to be used within 60 seconds
- Autonomous Portable Shower (5L): for the entire body, to be used within 60 seconds
Explore all Diphoterine® products
In the event of accidents involving HF (hydrogen fluoride), Hexafluorine® is the best option. It rapidly absorbs and removes the acid (H+) and fluoride ions (F–), preventing serious injuries such as amputation, major surgery or even cardiac arrest. In addition, Hexafluorine®does not contain phosphates, which means that it is safe to use on many different materials without the risk of side effects caused by phosphates. (Source: www.prevor.com)
Prévor's products have a shelf life of 2 years. Vandeputte offers a programme through which these products can be exchanged and replaced every 2 years.
Factors influencing the penetration of the substance:
- The type of substance and its concentration
- The temperature of the chemical substance
- Duration of exposure
Before starting treatment of burns, we recommend that all clothing, shoes and jewellery is removed. This is to prevent the chemical substance from remaining in contact with the skin through the clothing.
Thermal burns: First water, the rest follows
Thermal burns are caused by contact with extreme heat, such as hot steam or welding spatter splashing onto the body. The severity of the wound is of no importance, what matters is that the burn is held under lukewarm running water for a prolonged period of time.
Emergency showers and eye wash fountains are the most suitable tools for rapid pain relief and prevention of further injury.
Approximately 60 litres of potable water per minute must reach your skin for 15 minutes.
The sooner you are able to shower your body, the better. Picking well thought-out locations for your showers and eye wash stations is therefore essential.
Standard for emergency showers and eye wash according to EN 15154 – 5
European Standard EN 15154 – 5 recommends hot water for outdoor emergency showers. The recommended water temperature is between 15 and 37 degrees (ideally between 20 and 25 degrees). This minimises the risk of hypothermia and the growth of Legionnaires disease bacteria. In addition, the emergency shower must provide potable water for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Also read:
A total approach for emergency showers and eye wash
You can contact Vandeputte for:
- Assistance in interpreting the risk assessment
- Advice on optimal placement of emergency showers or eyewash stations
- Maintenance and repairs
- Renting temporary emergency showers
What you must remember
Chemical burns
- Remove clothing, footwear and jewellery
- Rinsing with water is often not enough.
- Treat with Diphoterine®:
- Treat with Hexafluorine®: Specific for hydrogen fluoride (HF) burns.
Thermal burns
- Rinse copiously and for a prolonged period of time with lukewarm running water.
- Emergency showers and eye wash fountains are the best solutions for these types of burns
- Position your fixed emergency shower strategically so that rinsing can start in under 10 seconds.
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