Australia's Science Forum

Although the news this morning was saying it was sodium hyrdoxide...not sure where the kids got a bucket of it..

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/boy-9 ... 11syv.html

Feel for the parent of the injured child!

You know that any easily available bathroom cleaning product or oven cleaner would do this!!!
Scary thought isn't it!!!

Sodium hydroxide involved in an 'acid attack'?? Anyone else see something wrong here?

yeah the media don't know what they're talking about (AGAIN!!)

Now where else would that occur?

How awful for the mum and lttle children. Hopefully they will all be OK. A lot of those easily available, domestic shower cleaners contain phosphoric acid so maybe that was what it was rather than an alkaline substance!

Don't be too surprised at this story.
Many years ago I did not have my safety glasses on and was making a solution of 10M of Sodium Hydroxide. And, would you have it, a single drop (yes a single drop) splashed up into my right eye. I was even half a metre from the beaker! Within seconds I was eyewashing. I asked a teacher to call the office. Next thing you know, the fire brigade and then an abulance come. I am taken to the hospital.
Now for the good part! They wanted to put blue litmus to my eye to test for acid. I told them that won't test a base. Ugh! I have a base in my eye. "What do you mean?" They had no other test available in emergency! I saw an eye specialist quickly who noted tiny blistering. This was a Monday. My return visit on the Friday produced all clear.
Fortunately my quick action made sure that no problem eventuated. But, the salt water pouring down my neck from the eyewashing caused my skin to dry up for a month!
So, even hospitals at that time had no idea of the ability of bases to burn, and far worse.
Maree
p.s. And yes, I never forget my safety glasses now!

You know when you feel that soapie feeling when to touch NaOH, dishwasher detergent/tabs etc.....thats the chemical reacting with the protein in your skin!!!
Your eyes have heaps of protein...... you are so lucky!!!!!!
I was making up solution once and got a big wiff..... i had to go outside and sit down and even see a doctor to make sure my lungs wernt affected! I had all the right clothes on but not a respirator!!!

I also feel for the parents of the "naughty" children.
I would be devastated like they are, that my child would do that.