Recording that a small 70-100 gram package of drain cleaner should first be carefully sprinkled into the sink, followed by hot water, OHS Specialist Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “For the user's health and safety, it is important to pour hot water from at least 1 meter away, and to use gloves and protective goggles if available.”
Chemical Engineer Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen also pointed out that if the drain cleaner does not clear the blockage on first use, the same process should be repeated, emphasizing, “It should absolutely not be mixed with cleaning products such as degreasers, hydrochloric acid, or nitric acid.”
Dr. Rüştü Uçan, Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, along with Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen, issued important warnings regarding the safe use of drain cleaner materials.
The accident in Bahçelievler serves as a warning
Recalling that a severe explosion occurred recently in Bahçelievler, Istanbul, due to a chemical drain cleaner used by a 78-year-old citizen while attempting to clear a blocked kitchen sink, Dr. Rüştü Uçan stated that 40 percent of the person's body was burned in the explosion, leading to hospitalization, and experts examining the incident emphasized that similar accidents have increased in recent years.
The chemical composition of drain cleaners…
Chemically, Dr. Rüştü Uçan noted that drain cleaners on the market consist of 95-99 percent sodium hydroxide, commonly known as “caustic beads”. He said, “This substance is a very strong alkaline chemical. The usage should be as follows: first, a small package of 70-100 grams is carefully sprinkled into the sink. Then, hot water is poured over it. During this process, a strong chemical reaction occurs with effervescence and foaming, releasing toxic gases. For the user's health and safety, it is important to pour hot water from at least 1 meter away, and to use gloves and protective goggles if available.”
Do not use very strong acids like hydrochloric acid or nitric acid with drain cleaner!
Dr. Rüştü Uçan stated that experts absolutely do not recommend using very strong acids such as hydrochloric acid or nitric acid instead of hot water, with the idea of better clearing a blocked sink. He explained, “During the use of similar products, a very violent acid-base reaction occurs, resulting in effervescence and an explosive reaction, which can lead to burning and corrosive chemical splashes on the skin and eyes, and even release toxic chlorine gas that could cause the user's death.”
Affected areas of the victim should be washed under water for at least 15 minutes
Emphasizing that necessary precautions must be taken for the safe use of such products and that warning labels on the packaging must be read before use, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist and Chemical Engineer Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen also stated the following:
“It is very important to wear gloves when using the product, not to mix it with other products, and to store it away from food items and out of reach of children. In case of an accident resulting in injury or poisoning, the affected areas of the victim should be immediately washed under water for at least 15 minutes, and 112 should be called for emergency health services or 114 for the National Poison Center (UZEM). These products should be kept away from metals like aluminum, magnesium, and zinc, and should absolutely not be mixed with cleaning products such as hypochlorite, degreasers, hydrochloric acid, or nitric acid. Contact with drain cleaner products can lead to severe skin burns and eye damage.”
If it doesn't clear on first use, repeat the process
Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen, who pointed out that if the drain cleaner product does not clear the blockage on first use, the same process should be repeated, concluded his words as follows:
“If no result is obtained, instead of using other chemical substances, mechanical cleaning should be performed by opening the S-trap under the sink, taking the necessary health and safety precautions. Those who cannot perform this operation alone should definitely seek help from a plumber. During the use of similar products, extreme caution should be exercised, sufficient health and safety measures should be taken, and appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, etc.) must be used.”