Friday 9 September 2011

Emedinews:Insights on Medicolegal issues:Keep chemicals safely, Use it safely and get rid of left-over chemicals and empty containers

It is important to handle all chemicals safely, not just the ones that you know are poisons. Many chemicals that you might not think are poisonous could make someone ill or cause burns. It is very important to protect children, because they cannot protect themselves and they do not understand that some things can be poisonous. Many poisonings could be prevented if chemicals were kept safely, used safely and got rid of safely.

• Do keep medicines, cleaners and pesticides where children cannot see or reach them.
• Do not keep chemicals you no longer need.
• Do not put chemicals in containers that once contained food or drink; people may eat or drink the chemicals by mistake.
• Do use medicines, cleaners, pesticides and other chemicals in the right way, and use the right amount neither more nor less. Read the label and follow carefully the instructions for use. A person who cannot read it should find someone who can. It may be dangerous to use chemicals from unlabeled containers. Ask the supplier for another container with a label.
• Do find out whether it is better to bury or burn the chemicals you want to get rid of. Choose a place to bury or burn chemical waste where there will be as little danger as possible to the people living nearby or to the environment.
• Do find out from environmental health officers or community leaders the local arrangements for getting rid of chemical waste. Seek professional advice about how to get rid of large amounts of unwanted chemicals.
• Do not use empty bottles, cans or other containers that have been used for storing chemicals to store or cook food or drink. Do not give them to children to play with.
• Do not leave left-over chemicals or empty containers where children might find them.

(Contributed by Dr Sudhir Gupta)
• Do not throw left-over chemicals or empty containers near a river, pond or spring. Chemicals might get into the water and poison fish, or poison people or animals that drink the water or wash in it. This may also happen if chemical waste is poured into drains that empty into waterways.


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