James Nokes Editor

Come visit us at build-a-business.com (we're always adding new content) Email address: jfntci@aol.com The Cleaning Institute 955 Karol Way, #3 San Leandro, CA 94577

Burns caused by exposure to alkaline cleaning products are a serious problem for people in the cleaning field. While professional cleaners use both acid and alkaline products; alkaline burns can be more dangerous than acid burns because alkaline cleaning products tend to be oily and stick to skin while acids don't.

 Typical Accidents for Cleaning Professionals:&nb

40 Percent of accidents involve eye irritation or burns.
35 Percent involve skin burns or irritation.
12 Percent involve chemical fume inhalation which irritates or burns the lungs.

 Treat Alkaline Burns With Vinegar 

Vinegar and other weak acids can neutralize alkaline burns — such as those caused by cleaning products — faster than water alone and significantly reduce damage to skin and tissue, according to a study in the May issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery .

Co-author of the study, Dr. Stephen Milner said in a press release that the findings are contrary to a common myth that neutralization should be avoided in treating alkaline burns, typically from cleaning products, which are suffered about 15,000 times annually in the United States, Milner's advice:

Treat the wound within the first few minutes of contact to minimize tissue damage as the alkaline agent penetrates the skin.

Wash off the burn area with water to remove as much of the cleaning solution as possible.

Then apply vinegar to neutralize.

 Plan of Action 

Keep a plainly marked plastic bottle of vinegar and one of water in your supplies and make sure your employees know how and when to use them.

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