Water, water everywhere-is it effective?

Abstract

Chemical splashes to the skin and eyes cause many debilitating injuries each year. A review of the literature does not appear to support the efficacy of using water for skin/eye decontamination. When water is used, even in a timely and appropriate manner, substantial injuries still occur. This suggests that established protocols for the management of such injuries are inadequate and that more effective rinsing agents are needed in the industrial and academic workplace. For such a change in procedure to occur, not only will scientific support be needed, but regulatory agencies and safety leaders must accept the alternatives and foster their use. © 2007 Division of Chemical Health and Safety of the American Chemical Society.