24 replies to this topic

[Highlander]

HighlandHunter, on 22 January 2012 - 01:06 AM, said:

I don't know what the effect of sodium nitrate would be on clothing, it is a very strong oxidizer. You got to be careful when you take a chance with products like this, not meant for the use you are using it for.Personally I would not use this drain cleaner for our purposes.

Chemists response for those interested:

"I would think that once you dilute it out like that the nitrate would be of little concern. It should rinse right out.

Purer forms of NaOH shouldn't be that hard to come by though if anyone is concerned."



It doesn't sound to me that there would be a big concern with this drano product as long as you get your dilution down close and you rinse the material good when using these drain cleaners.

Edited by HighlandHunter, 22 January 2012 - 12:21 PM.

[Corky]

Highland,
Just had this thought. We have a German Short Haired Pointer who loves to roll in "fragrant" stuff, like skunk pee, deer droppings, cow pies, etc... He got skunked about three months ago and here's the formula the Vet used for his bath... Now, I figure if this lessens skunk oder, what about human stink?

1 qt. 3% Hydrogen Peroxide.
1/4 cup Baking Soda
1 Tsp Dawn liquid Detergent... Note, Dawn has a scent of it own, so maybe replace Dawn with unscented detergent. Or that Scent Killer stuff. (Whenever there's an oil spill and birds get covered, Dawn is the detergent of choice because it dissolves oil)...

This formula does cut the noxious oders down quite a bit... deer are used to smelling humans. If you can fool them with a faint smell of you, they may think you're far off and of no worry??? Maybe??

Corky

[jmlarcher]

This is a dangerous topic. I am a soap maker and use 100% lye quite often. It is what changes oils and fats into salt (which we refer to as SOAP).
I haven't seen anyone mention it should be used in a well ventilated area because of the gases it emits when mixed with water or that when mixed with water it reaches temperatures of almost 200 degrees or that the fumes can blind a person or that you never add water to lye you always add lye to water to avoid a volcano event and also never mix lye and water in a glass container because glass will break from the instant heat produced.
My best advice; if you must try this at least read up on how and how not to handle lye. It's hard to shoot a deer, even if you get him in close because of scent control, if your blind and can't see him or if your hands are burnt so badly you can't pick up your gun or bow.
Hunt safely.
Jack

[Highlander]

Good point Jack.

I have provided the MSDS sheet link for safety hazards previously in this thread.

From Wiki:

"Safety
Lye is a strong alkali, producing highly basic solutions. Both wet lye and dry lye solutions are highly caustic and may cause chemical burns, permanent injury or scarring, and blindness. Lye may be harmful or fatal if swallowed.
[edit] Hazardous reactions




Chemical burn caused by exposure to a sodium hydroxide solution.
Solvation of sodium hydroxide is highly exothermic, and the resulting heat may cause heat burns or ignite flammables.
The combination of aluminium and sodium hydroxide results in a large production of hydrogen gas: 2Al(s) + 6NaOH(aq) → 3H₂(g) + 2Na₃AlO₃(aq). Hydrogen gas is flammable; mixing lye (sodium hydroxide) and aluminium in a closed container is therefore dangerous. In addition to aluminium, lye (sodium hydroxide) may also react with magnesium, zinc (galvanized), tin, chromium, brass, and bronze to produce hydrogen gas and is therefore dangerous.
Lye intoxication can cause esophageal stricture."

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The MSDS for lye or sodium hydroxide:

http://www.google.co...49zbN95AcAKoTGw

From it:

"Section 3: Hazards Identification
Potential Acute Health Effects:
Very hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive, irritant, permeator), of eye contact (irritant, corrosive), of ingestion,
of inhalation. The amount of tissue damage depends on length of contact. Eye contact can result in corneal damage or
blindness. Skin contact can produce inflammation and blistering. Inhalation of dust will produce irritation to gastro-intestinal or
respiratory tract, characterized by burning, sneezing and coughing. Severe over-exposure can produce lung damage, choking,
unconsciousness or death. Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation is
characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or, occasionally, blistering.
Potential Chronic Health Effects:
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells.
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available. The substance may be toxic to
mucous membranes, upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target
organs damage. Repeated exposure of the eyes to a low level of dust can produce eye irritation. Repeated skin exposure can
produce local skin destruction, or dermatitis. Repeated inhalation of dust can produce varying degree of respiratory irritation or
lung damage."

Edited by Highlander, 04 March 2012 - 02:04 PM.

[Highlander]

This is why Draino carries the skull and crossbone label and states "Danger" on the label, meaning the group of the most toxic chemicals. When ever you see the Danger with the skull & crossbones on a product, you should not take its use lightly. Read the labels completely and follow the directions.  

The "Caution" label on a products is the safest of the chemicals with toxicity to humans and the labeled directions need to be followed even with these products or personal injury or damages can still occur.

The middle group regarding toxicity carries the "Warning" label, fwiw.

Don't leave any Chemicals regardless of the label where children or pets can get to them. They should be kept locked away to prevent injury. Don't store chemicals in any food container either, to many accidents happen do to this. The containers should be marked if you decide to use other than the orginial so confusion doesn't occur. This happens to many who forget what was in the container. Needless to say that keeping a product like Drano (sodium hydroxide) under the sink where children can get to it is a bad idea as are many other commonly used products for cleaning & pesticides as well. Gasonline is extremely toxic and if children drink it............  

I might add that I have inspected the cabinets beneath many a sink throughout homes in my area over 40 years and find very few sink cabinets that don't have toxic chemicals stored in them, not to mention other areas in the house where children frequent. I'm sure my house is no exception since my wife doesn't understand chemical labels & its been a while since I last checked. We all get lazy and even though my children are grown, we still have young ones running around on a frequent basis.  

I know, practice what you preach. lol

This is the main reason why EPA keeps pushing for safer products.

Edited by Highlander, 04 March 2012 - 03:14 PM.