Lye Safety (was: Re: HERB - Jasmine's one bar soap recipes)

[Mary Temple]

I'm not sure I'd try using vinegar to neutralize the lye due to the chemical 
reaction - combining bases (lye) and acids (vinegar) is a heat producing 
reaction - it could make the burn worse. The Canadian Centre for 
Occupational Health and Safety recommends on their website
http://www.msds.org/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/sodium_hydroxide/firstaid_sod.html

flushing the "contaminated area" with lukewarm running water for 60 seconds 
"by the clock", and then says "DO NOT INTERRUPT THE FLUSHING". They also 
specifically use the phrase "Neutral" when discussing using saline solution 
to rinse eyes if one gets it in their eyes.

I think I'll avoid the acids when working with lye and stick to simple 
water. YMMV

Lady Katerine Rowley
Bryn Gwlad, Ansteorra
mka
Mary K. Temple
Austin, Texas
>I don't know if this has been brought up before, but just a word. VINEGAR.
>Distilled white vinegar. Keep it nearby to help neutralize the lye if need
>be. It certainly won't help with accidental ingestion, but it may help with
>burn prevention, or at least help with the severity.
>
>Corwyn
>
>In a message dated 12/14/1999 11:49:56 AM Eastern Standard Time,
>gwalli at infoengine.com writes:
>
> > I still ended up with THREE lye burns by the time I was done and I
> >  was VERY careful. Little spills can happen when you least expect it.
> >  A cat can startle you as you're pouring or the phone can ring. Learn
> >  first aid treatment for these things. Even if you never plan to use
> >  the skills.
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