Nothing raises the pH value of the soil in your garden such as hydrated lime, am I right? Of course, this specific material is also used in concrete, cement, and some other building materials, meaning that the soil is not the only thing it is good for. The white or gray granular powder that is created from burnt limestone has a wide range of application and people use it for various different things.
If you’ve been using hydrated lime for some time for various different purposes, you have most likely wondered something at least once. Can it be dangerous for you? It is not a surprise that you are wondering something like this, and I think that you should definitely thoroughly read an SDS hydrated lime, i.e. a Safety Data Sheet that will tell you everything you need to know about the dangers of this particular substance. That way, you’ll get to understand precisely if it is careful for you, as well as how to act if something goes wrong while you are using it.
Since you are here, you are probably ready to do some learning regarding the dangers of hydrated lime, the proper way of staying protected, as well as the proper measures to take if something unexpected happens. Well, those are all some very important topics. The good thing is, we are now going to cover them.
To put it differently, I am now going to provide you with answers to those questions that we have mentioned above. I will tell you more about how and why hydrated lime can be harmful, and then I’ll share some things you should know if you want to stay protected. Of course, on top of that, you’ll also learn about those first aid measures that I have mentioned. So, if you continue reading, you’ll get all the important topics covered for you, and you’ll get all the important info.
How Hydrated Lime Can Be Harmful
Let us begin with the most logical question in the bunch. Basically, you are interested in learning how hydrated lime can be harmful in the first place. There is a chance that you haven’t thought about that quite a lot, and that you aren’t entirely sure of the dangers that this substance poses, and that’s completely normal. It is time for you, however, to get those facts straight and get a better understanding as to how this material can be harmful.
There is even talk that this material can hurt animals: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/hydrated-lime-hurt-animals-87490.html
As for humans, though, there are a couple of things you should know when trying to handle hydrated lime properly. For starters, if swallowed, it can certainly cause huge issues, but I am guessing that you won’t even be trying to do something like that. Yet, it can cause respiratory issues even without being swallowed. To be more precise, it can cause damage to your lungs, and other organs as well, due to long-term exposure.
How To Stay Protected
Now, the next thing you will need to do after learning about the dangers of hydrated lime in general is learn how to actually stay protected when handling it. For starters, there is protective gear that you should always wear when getting in touch with this substance. The gear includes protective gloves, clothing, eye and face protection, as well as respiratory protection.
Of course, you should always keep this substance out of the reach of children, and it would be a good idea for you to have the label on hand, in case you end up needing some info on the dangers that it can pose, or on the response you should take if someone has been improperly exposed. After handling hydrated lime, you should also always thoroughly wash your hands. Read more about the dangers of this substance.
Which First Aid Measures To Take If Necessary
As I’ve mentioned above, I’ll also tell you about the first aid measures you should take if those end up being necessary. For starters, if a person has inhaled the substance, move him or her to fresh air and contact medical experts if you find it necessary. In case breathing has stopped, you’ll need to provide artificial respiration.
If hydrated lime has come in contact with your skin, or your eyes, you will have to flush the exposed area with a lot of water. Keep doing that for at least 15 minutes, especially if your eyes have been affected. Medical attention is required in these cases as well.
If someone has ingested this substance, you should provide them with lots of water, or fruit juice. Keep in mind that you should never try to induce vomiting. Instead, you should immediately call for medical help and let the experts handle the rest of the situation.