5 Chemicals You Should Know And How To Handle Them

 

Safe handling of chemicals is crucial if you want to avoid negative health effects. In this article, you'll learn about five common chemicals that we've all come across in our day-to-day lives and how to handle them appropriately.

 

Acetone

 

Acetone is the main ingredient in nail polish remover. It has a powerful solvent that can dissolve many different kinds of substances. Acetone can be found in many other products too, including inks, paints, glues, and even some cleaning products. If you know your way around an acetone-based product, you should be able to handle it safely.

 

Benzene

 

Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid that's found in all sorts of things like gasoline and paint thinner. Benzene exposure can lead to many health problems like chronic headaches, nausea, vomiting, and blurry vision. When exposed to benzene, it's important to wash your hands immediately after contact with the substance.

Chloroform

 

Chloroform is a fast-acting anesthetic. It causes drowsiness and unconsciousness within seconds of exposure. There is no antidote to chloroform, so if the patient is exposed it must be treated with other drugs to bring them back to consciousness. Chloroform can cause vomiting, seizures, and difficulty breathing which can lead to death.

 

Ethyl Alcohol (ethanol)

 

Ethyl alcohol is a type of alcohol produced by the fermentation of sugars. It is the ethanol found in alcoholic beverages and is also used as an antifreeze in engines. Some foods like fruit juices, candy, or baked goods are made using ethyl alcohol.

 

Trichloroethylene

 

Trichloroethylene is a chemical used to make tetrachloroethylene, which is a chemical that can be found in many consumer products. It's also one of the most commonly involved chemicals in industrial accidents.