Blog #21: Occupational Health
Oh CaviWipes- how I have loved you.
I took the opportunity to look up the standard of cleaning that nurses expose themselves to in healthcare settings. I even bought them at home for a a few years when my husband was sick to keep our home "clean and free of germs".
Here is the MSDS on this darling product we all use daily in the hospital. As an ED nurse, I would wipe down hundreds of beds per day with these. I used probably several containers per day- (not always with gloves if I am going to be honest).
Here is what I found to be hazardous and harmful...
- Requires disposal in same way as pesticide
- Requires full protection of firefighters if fire happens around this material
- Irritating to eyes & skin
- Carcinogenic properties
- May cause respiratory irritation from combustible dust
And this came under the "Regulation" part of the MSDS label:
U.S. FEDERAL REGULATIONS:
This chemical is a pesticide product registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and
is subject to certain labeling requirements under federal pesticide law. These requirements differ from the
classification criteria and hazard information required for safety data sheets (SDS), and for workplace
labels of non-pesticide chemicals. The hazard information required on the pesticide label is reproduced
below. The pesticide label also includes other important information, including directions for use.
FIFRA Labeling:
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
CAUTION
PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
Hazards to Humans & Domestic Animals
Causes moderate eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes or clothing. Wash thoroughly with soap and
water after handling and before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco or using the toilet. DO
NOT CONTAMINATE WATER, FOOD, OR FEED BY STORAGE OR DISPOSAL.
The information was NOT appropriate for a 6th grade level- unless you accept that all children have a basic understanding of organic chemistry. I found it appropriate for medical professionals to review. But who does this? Does anyone actually read about a chemical prior to using it? We probably should- but I do not see this as a common practice.
Wow, I am as shocked as you. I also used them in my clinic to wiped down areas (without gloves) until one day a medical assistant told me to beware and use gloves because she actually had had time to read the label and became scared. No one had ever given her or me any training on using the product, we were just told to use it.
ReplyDeleteHello Jennifer, Thank you for providing information about CaviWipes. I often use it at home or work. I did not know it is carcinogen. Thus I need to be more careful in future and use it cautiously.
ReplyDelete