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Spot removers safety
You have been looking for information on cleaning your carpet. Deciding
if you should clean it yourself, hire a professional or just buy a whole
new carpet.
 Another
form of prevention comes from reacting immediately to spills and spots
before they have time to become semi-permanent stains. However, thorough
training in spill clean-up is very important because using the wrong
techniques or chemicals can smear the spilled substance or set the spot
permanently. It is usually best to start with clear, cold water and
blotting cloths, and then move on to try stronger chemicals only if
needed.
A special word of caution - carpet spot removal products contain some of
the most dangerous chemicals found in carpet care products. Use these
products sparingly, and only when wearing gloves and goggles. Provide
extra ventilation, and if possible do the work when building occupants
are elsewhere. In any case, avoid products that have highly dangerous
ingredients such as hydrofluoric acid (rust remover), or
tetrachloroethylene (Type 4 spot remover).
Tetrachloroethylene is a chlorinated solvent found in metal cleaners and
carpet spot removal products. It evaporates readily, is very easy to
inhale, and causes cancer.
You should not use any product containing
tetrachloroethylene.
HAZARD SUMMARY [1]
Tetrachloroethylene can affect you when breathed
in and by passing through your skin.
Tetrachloroethylene should be handled as a
CARCINOGEN.
Tetrachloroethylene may damage the developing
fetus.
High exposure can cause you to become dizzy and
lightheaded and to pass out.
It can cause the heart to beat irregularly or
stop. This can cause death.
Severe liver and kidney damage can occur.
High exposure may cause a build-up of fluid in
the lungs (pulmonary edema).
Contact can cause eye and skin burns.
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or
shortly after exposure to Tetrachloroethylene:
High exposure can cause you to become dizzy,
lightheaded, and to pass out. Overexposure can cause the heart to
beat irregularly or stop. It can also damage the liver and kidneys
enough to cause death.
Breathing the vapor may irritate the lungs,
causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposure can
cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical
emergency. The start of these effects can be delayed for many hours.
Contact can cause severe skin burns, and can
cause eye burns.
Exposure to the vapor can irritate the eyes,
nose, mouth and throat.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time
after exposure to Tetrachloroethylene and can last for months or years:
Cancer Hazard -
Tetrachloroethylene may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it causes
liver cancer in animals. Many scientists believe there is no safe
level of exposure to a carcinogen.
Reproductive Hazard - Tetrachloroethylene may damage the
developing fetus.
Other Long-Term Effects - Tetrachloroethylene may damage the
liver and kidneys with high single exposures or lower repeated
exposures. Long-term exposure can cause drying and cracking of the
skin.
[1] This information is quoted from:
New Jersey Workers' Right-to-Know Fact Sheet, which is on the internet
at http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/rtkweb/1810.pdf
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