Do Drain Cleaners Have Sulfuric Acid?
Drain cleaners often contain chemicals that are either basic (alkaline), such as potassium hydroxide (lye), or acidic, such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid. Alternatively, they may contain sodium bisulfate which turns into sulfuric acid when it comes into contact with water. Other names for sodium bisulfate that may appear on the label are: sodium hydrogen sulfite, monosodium salt or sulfurous acid. Drain cleaners are dangerous chemicals that produce violent reactions. Does this Spark an idea?
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Sulfuric Acid
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Sulfuric acid is a strong acid. Drain cleaners are often scented and colored, but sulfuric acid itself has no scent or color. It is highly corrosive, extremely reactive and gives off toxic fumes. Sulfuric acid represents 40 percent of the chemicals produced in the United States and is used in most manufacturing processes and many home products such as drain cleaners and fertilizer. Alternate names for sulfuric acid include oil of vitriol and oleum.
How It Works
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Drain cleaners contain sulfuric acid because it is so reactive. The chemical reaction of adding sulfuric acid to water is called exothermic — it creates heat. If the sulfuric acid is concentrated, the liquid will boil when water is added. The heat melts grease caught in the drain. The acid also reacts chemically with other items clogging the drain by breaking them down and giving off the products as gases or breaking them into smaller pieces.
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Packaging and Labeling
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Do not pour drain cleaners into another container. The government requires that bottles containing sulfuric acid must be in containers that do not react with the acid and have labels that do not react. The lids of these products are also required to prevent splashing and spills. The original package label should say:
DANGER! - CAUSES SEVERE BURNS - POISON - KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
It should also provide medical assistance information.
Medical Hazards
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Sulfuric acid produces toxic fumes and the reaction may increase the fumes due to the rise in temperature that is part of the drain clearing process. Sulfuric acid fumes can cause lung damage, burns, blindness and death in extreme cases. Do not mix drain cleaners with any other product. If sulfuric acid spills on skin, wash under running water for several minutes. If taken internally, seek medical care immediately. Do not induce vomiting.
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References
- Meridian Engineering and Technology; Reference Data Sheet for Chemical and Enzymatic Drain Cleaners; William D. Sheridan; 1994
- Ohio State University Extension; Hazardous Materials in the Home; Joe E. Heimlich
- University of Wisconsin-Madison; Chemical of the Week: Sulfuric Acid; Bassam Z. Shakhashiri; 2011
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
