Experts state that drain cleaners are ‘sodium hydroxide’ or ‘caustic’ and will not explode on their own, but when combined with an opposing chemical substance, a very violent chemical reaction will occur. Chemical Engineer, OHS Specialist Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen, noting that chemical cleaning materials meant for the kitchen should be used in the kitchen, and those for the bathroom in the bathroom, and that the two should never be mixed, emphasized that masks used during the Covid period would also be useless.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Health Sciences Occupational Health and Safety Master's Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen evaluated the explosion of drain cleaner poured into a clogged sink in Istanbul the day before.
Drain cleaners do not explode on their own
Chemical Engineer, Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen, stated that drain cleaners are ‘sodium hydroxide’ or ‘caustic’ and will not explode on their own, saying, “It is caustic, meaning it is the raw material for white Ayvalık soap. It is caustic but a very strong corrosive and cauterizing agent. This chemical substance is in bead form, like the head of a pin with a knob, inside packages. If we combine it with an opposing chemical substance, a very violent chemical reaction occurs. As a result of the reaction, heat is released, toxic gases are released, and its corrosive and cauterizing effects can intensify.”
Only boiling water should be poured!
Gezen, explaining the use of drain cleaners, continued as follows:
“The drain cleaner is poured into the clogged sink. By pouring boiling water from 50 centimeters or up to 1 meter away – only boiling water, no other substance – it clears the blockage. Another property of caustic is that, in addition to dissolving fats, it also burns hair, bristles, and residual skin particles detached from the body, thereby clearing the way. It opens the sink drain.”
Are vinegar and baking soda effective?
Gezen also stated that baking soda is partially effective in opening drains, saying, “Sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate are lower-risk chemicals. They are chemical substances, but their danger and potential risks are more limited. Vinegar is also an acid, but a weaker one. That is, it is a much weaker, organic acid than hydrochloric acid or nitric acid, which is called aqua fortis.”
Chlorine gas is 2-2.5 times heavier than air, it sinks to the ground
Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen, also pointing to bleach, stated that bleaches contain sodium hypochlorite and should absolutely not be mixed with foreign substances because toxic gases would be released.
Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen, reminding that chlorine gas is a deadly gas, said, “It is extremely high-risk. Germans used it against the French, and the French against the Germans on the front during World War I. In this way, 150,000 soldiers died. Chlorine gas is 2-2.5 times heavier than air; it sinks to the ground. Because breathing continues reflexively where a person falls or faints, they inhale chlorine gas. In the lungs, chlorine gas turns into hydrochloric acid, and people who inhale chlorine gas certainly die within 48 hours, vomiting blood and struggling.”
Degreasers should also not be mixed with other substances
Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen, explaining that two substances that reacted violently with each other were mixed in the explosion incident in Istanbul, stated that 35 percent of this person's body was burned for this reason, as expressed by doctors.
Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen, explaining that toxic gases such as chlorine gas emerge as a result of chemical reactions and that a person could faint instantly by inhaling it, noted that if chlorine gas release continued, it could lead to death.
Chemical Engineer Gezen, also drawing attention to degreasers, stated that degreasers contain ammonia-derivative chemicals and that these should absolutely not be mixed with other substances.
“They will mix randomly unless taught…”
Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen said, “People are unaware of these materials. The places where these should be learned are schools. But unless taught in schools, people will randomly mix these chemical substances. Such incidents happen to us.”
Should be cleaned with clean water for at least 15 minutes…
Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen, stating that in the event of such a drain cleaner explosion, the first intervention is to wash the affected areas on the body with running water for at least 15 minutes, said, “That is, if the person is conscious, it is important to remove that chemical substance from the skin. If they are not conscious, 112 should be called immediately for emergency help. It needs to be cleaned with flowing clean water for at least 15 minutes. After that, the nearest health center should be visited.”
What's for the kitchen is used in the kitchen, what's for the bathroom is used in the bathroom
Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen, expressing that there are many risks regarding chemicals used in kitchens and bathrooms, stated, “There are such chemicals in both the kitchen and the bathroom. I say, those meant for the kitchen should be used in the kitchen, and those for the bathroom in the bathroom. The two should never be mixed. Let those in the kitchen be used in the kitchen, let them stay in the kitchen, let those in the bathroom stay in the bathroom. We see the risk.”
The area must be well ventilated!
Gezen, emphasizing that ventilating the cleaned area during the cleaning phase is very important, issued the following warnings: “The area where chemicals are used needs to be very well ventilated. As for masks, what kind of mask should be worn? The masks we wore during the Covid period are useless; they are dust masks. We need active carbon, filtered, cartridge-equipped gas masks. This work should be carried out in a place with very good ventilation.”