Corrosive chemicals are substances that cause immediate destruction or irreversible alteration to living tissue upon contact. These materials, including strong acids, bases, and certain oxidizers, can be found in liquid, solid, or gaseous states. Their highly reactive nature means they can inflict severe chemical burns on the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract within moments of exposure. Proactive hand protection is necessary to prevent injuries when handling these chemicals.
Selecting the Right Protective Gloves
Choosing the correct protective glove involves understanding chemical resistance, as no single material protects against all corrosives. Two primary factors determine a glove’s effectiveness: permeation and degradation. Permeation is the process where chemical molecules pass through the glove material at a molecular level, eventually reaching the skin. Degradation is the physical breakdown of the glove material itself, often causing it to become brittle, stiff, or swell, compromising its barrier function.
Permeation resistance is measured by the breakthrough time—the duration from initial contact to the first detection of the chemical inside the glove. Butyl rubber gloves are highly effective against gases and ketones like acetone, but perform poorly against many hydrocarbons. Butyl rubber is generally recommended for handling esters, ketones, and strong bases.
Nitrile gloves are a common choice, offering good resistance to many solvents, oils, and acids. Neoprene is frequently used for handling mild acids and bases, but certain organic solvents can compromise its resistance. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is suitable for protecting against strong acids and bases but provides limited protection against organic solvents.
The selection process must also account for physical characteristics, such as thickness and cuff size. Thicker gloves offer longer breakthrough times but can reduce dexterity, potentially increasing the risk of a spill. The cuff needs to be long enough to overlap the sleeve of the protective clothing, ensuring no skin is exposed. Always consult the manufacturer’s compatibility charts, which provide specific permeation and degradation data, to match the glove polymer to the specific chemical being used.
Essential Safe Handling Procedures
Before beginning work, inspect the gloves for tears or pinholes, as even minor defects allow immediate chemical penetration. Hands must be washed and dried completely before donning the gloves to minimize contamination risk and ensure a proper fit. Gloves should fit snugly without being restrictive, maintaining dexterity and reducing the chance of accidental contact.
When donning gloves, pull the cuff over the sleeve of the lab coat or protective garment to create a continuous barrier. This overlap ensures that splashes running down the arm are diverted away from the wrist opening. During handling, consciously avoid touching non-contaminated surfaces, such as door handles or phones, while wearing the gloves. This prevents the spread of chemical residue to areas that will later be touched by bare hands.
The process of doffing, or removing, the gloves is critical for preventing cross-contamination. Since the exterior is presumed contaminated, removal must ensure clean skin does not touch the soiled outside surface. Grasp the outside of one glove near the wrist and peel it away, turning it inside out. Hold the removed glove in the remaining gloved hand. Slide the ungloved finger under the wrist of the second glove and peel it off inside out, creating a bag containing both contaminated gloves.
Immediate Action Following Chemical Contact
If accidental chemical exposure occurs, immediate action is necessary to minimize injury severity. Swiftly remove the source of contact, including contaminated gloves, clothing, or jewelry. Failure to remove contaminated clothing holds the chemical against the skin, causing deeper burns.
Flush the affected area with copious amounts of cool water for a minimum of 15 minutes. This practice helps dilute and wash away the corrosive material and cool the tissue. While 15 minutes is the standard, strong alkalis may require flushing for 30 minutes or longer due to their deep-penetrating nature. If the chemical was a solid or powder, gently brush it off the skin before flushing with water.
Even if the burn appears minor after flushing, seek immediate medical attention. Corrosive injuries can cause delayed or hidden damage, especially with bases that may not cause pain until the injury is severe. When seeking medical help, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the specific chemical involved. Section 4 of the SDS provides specific first-aid measures necessary for medical professionals to administer the correct treatment.