| One day I was given the task to make a report | | | | medical professional for the necessary |
| on a certain chemical called H2SO4. I was totally | | | | medications. |
| dumbfounded as I had no idea what it is and what | | | | If the chemical gets in contact with the skin, the |
| I should research about it. In fact, I did not even | | | | most appropriate thing to do would be to |
| have an idea how to buy sulfuric acid since I do | | | | immediately take off the clothing that also came |
| not use it in my everyday life. Or so I thought. | | | | into contact with H2SO4. Make sure that while |
| For starters, I tried to find what this H2SO4 really | | | | removing the piece of clothing, the patient does |
| is. Well, a simple researching in the internet told | | | | not affect other areas to avoid more damage. |
| me that the chemical is commonly known as | | | | Then, wash the affected area with mild soap and |
| sulfuric acid. And, as my research grew more | | | | water continuously for twenty minutes. |
| intensive, I found out a lot about the acid that | | | | Afterwards, get medical attention for further |
| made me realize its benefits to some industries. | | | | treatment. |
| It is actually used in some industries that help | | | | If the chemical gets inside the body through the |
| produce some of the basic necessities that we | | | | respiratory system, get the patient out of the |
| use in our everyday lives. For one, the chemical is | | | | place where he or she has inhaled the acid. Make |
| used in agriculture to produce fertilizers that can | | | | the patient stay in a place where there is plenty |
| be used in crop production. An example of these | | | | of fresh air. If the patient has stopped breathing, |
| fertilizers is phosphate fertilizers. The chemical is | | | | give the patient rescue breathing. A CPR would |
| also an important ingredient in making detergents | | | | also be needed if the patient's heart stops beating. |
| and other household cleaning products. It is also | | | | In giving these first aid measures, make sure that |
| used in other industries that make steel, industrial | | | | you know what you are doing to avoid further |
| explosives, iron, lead acid batteries and dyes. | | | | complications. If you are successful with your first |
| However, amidst all of these uses, sulphuric acid is | | | | aid measures, bring the patient to the medical |
| feared for its hazardous effects. At first I also | | | | clinic or hospital where he or she could be given |
| felt worried because of the fact that it is widely | | | | professional care. Once the chemical affects the |
| produced. However, I found out that the chemical | | | | respiratory system, there is possibility for |
| can only become dangerous if proper precautions | | | | pulmonary edema. However, the symptoms |
| are not met in its handling, storage and disposal. | | | | usually become evident hours later. That is why |
| Yet, sometimes, accidents do happen. So what | | | | the patient should be monitored for forty-eight |
| should be done in case such emergencies occur? | | | | hours. |
| To ease my apprehensions, I decided to include in | | | | Such measures mentioned above will only be |
| my research the measures that can be done | | | | necessary if there have been lapses during the |
| when emergencies involving sulfuric acid occur. | | | | use of sulphuric acid. This should be avoided at all |
| The chemical has three entry points in the body: | | | | times in order to prevent accidents that may |
| the eyes, the skin and the respiratory system. | | | | cause the lives of a lot of people. |
| Depending on which entry point is affected, the | | | | Overall, H2S04 is a very useful chemical. This I |
| safety mechanisms also vary. | | | | found out in my short encounter with sulfuric acid. |
| If the chemical gets to the eyes, the patient | | | | However, because of some people's carelessness |
| should flush the eyes with water right away. This | | | | in handling the product, it becomes highly |
| should be done continuously within thirty minutes, | | | | dangerous. Let us not make our faults become |
| alternately lifting the lower eyelid and the upper | | | | the reason why the acid becomes notorious than |
| eyelid. Then, after this is done, one should go to a | | | | it already is. |