Different types of chemicals are often used on the job, whether in production, cleaning or some other capacity. A lot of these chemicals are considered to be relatively safe. You do need to know how to use them properly, and you may need some sort of personal protection equipment, but they’re not thought to be extraordinarily dangerous on their own.
That can all change if the chemicals are mixed together. This can make them incredibly dangerous and even deadly. It’s important to know how to avoid this dangerous mixing and what to do if it happens.
The top example: bleach and ammonia
Perhaps the top example of this is mixing bleach and ammonia. Technically, you don’t want to mix bleach with any sort of acid, but both bleach and ammonia are often used in cleaning products. It’s natural that they would be stored or used near each other, and some people may assume that they can mix cleaning products safely.
You never want to do this, however, as it creates chloramine gas. In high concentrations, this can cause you to pass out, and you may end up in a coma, or your injuries could even be fatal. More minor issues that it creates, though they’re still very serious, include the following:
- Nausea
- Coughing
- Watery eyes
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain.
- Throat Irritation
- Nose irritation
- Eye irritation
- Wheezing
- Fluid in the lungs
- Pneumonia
If you’ve been injured by chemicals on the job or lost a loved one in a tragic accident, then it is very important for you to know about all the legal rights you have. These things happen unexpectedly, but you do have options as you move forward.