periodic acid

If fumes or combustion products are inhaled remove from contaminated area. Lay patient down. Keep warm and rested. Prostheses such as false teeth, which may block airway, should be removed, where possible, prior to initiating first aid procedures. Apply artificial respiration if not breathing, preferably with a demand valve resuscitator, bag-valve mask device, or pocket mask as trained. Perform CPR if necessary.

Symptoms: Inhalation of vapours or aerosols (mists, fumes) may cause lung oedema. Corrosive substances may cause lung damage (e.g. lung oedema, fluid in the lungs). Airway problems may arise from laryngeal edema and inhalation exposure.

Immediately flush body and clothes with large amounts of water, using safety shower if available. Quickly remove all contaminated clothing, including footwear. Wash skin and hair with running water. Continue flushing with water until advised to stop by the Poisons Information Centre.

Immediately hold eyelids apart and flush the eye continuously with running water. Ensure complete irrigation of the eye by keeping eyelids apart and away from eye and moving the eyelids by occasionally lifting the upper and lower lids. Continue flushing until advised to stop by the Poisons Information Centre or a doctor, or for at least 15 minutes.

For advice, contact a Poisons Information Centre or a doctor at once. If swallowed do NOT induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain open airway and prevent aspiration.

Engineering controls are used to remove a hazard or place a barrier between the worker and the hazard. Well-designed engineering controls can be highly effective in protecting workers and will typically be independent of worker interactions to provide this high level of protection. The basic types of engineering controls are: Process controls which involve changing the way a job activity or process is done to reduce the risk. Enclosure and/or isolation of emission source which keeps a selected hazard "physically" away from the worker and ventilation that strategically "adds" and "removes" air in the work environment.

Wear chemical protective gloves, eg. PVC. Suitability and durability of glove type is dependent on usage. Important factors in the selection of gloves include: frequency and duration of contact, chemical resistance of glove material, glove thickness and dexterity. Neoprene gloves. DO NOT wear cotton or cotton-backed gloves. DO NOT wear leather gloves.

Chemical goggles. Full face shield may be required for supplementary but never for primary protection of eyes. Contact lenses may pose a special hazard; soft contact lenses may absorb and concentrate irritants. A written policy document, describing the wearing of lens or restrictions on use, should be created for each workplace or task. This should include a review of lens absorption and adsorption for the class of chemicals in use and an account of injury experience. Medical and first-aid personnel should be trained in their removal and suitable equipment should be readily available. In the event of chemical exposure, begin eye irrigation immediately and remove contact lens as soon as practicable. Lens should be removed at the first signs of eye redness or irritation - lens should be removed in a clean environment only after workers have washed hands thoroughly. [CDC NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin 59], [AS/NZS 1336 or national equivalent]

Acid vapour Type B cartridge/ canister. (AS/NZS 1716 & 1715, EN 143:2000 & 149:2001, ANSI Z88 or national equivalent)

Wear safety footwear or safety gumboots, eg. Rubber. Contaminated leather items, such as shoes, belts and watch-bands should be removed and destroyed. Promptly hose all spills off leather shoes or boots or ensure that such footwear is protected with PVC over-shoes. Overalls. PVC Apron. PVC protective suit may be required if exposure severe.