Acetone is often used by women to remove nail polish. However, who would have thought that this chemical liquid can also be harmful to health, especially if its use is not appropriate. Well, what are the dangers of acetone and how to prevent it? Come on, find out the answer in the following article.
Acetone or propanone is a highly volatile, colorless, and flammable chemical liquid when exposed to fire. In addition to removing nail polish, this liquid is also used as a solvent for paints, waxes, resins, plastics, and glues.
Not only that, in the textile industry, acetone is also used as a mixture to remove sap from silk and fat from wool. Although it has many benefits, the use of acetone in large quantities and long term can trigger various health problems.
Impact of Acetone Exposure on Health
The following are health problems that can occur if you are exposed to acetone:
1. Acetone poisoning
This condition can occur when acetone is accidentally inhaled, ingested, or absorbed into the skin. Acetone poisoning can also occur when products containing this chemical are used excessively or long-term.
Acetone poisoning can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and sore throat. Although rare, poisoning with these chemicals can also cause low blood pressure and even loss of consciousness.
2. Skin irritation
Acetone can cause skin irritation. This condition is usually characterized by skin that is red, dry, and looks cracked.
You are advised to immediately wash the acetone-affected area of skin for at least 10-15 minutes with running water and apply a moisturizer to prevent the skin from drying out.
3. Eye irritation
Exposure to liquids or vapors from acetone can cause eye irritation. This condition is characterized by pain, red eyes, and blurred vision.
If you accidentally get acetone in your eyes, rinse your eyes immediately with water for at least 10 minutes. After that, check the eye condition to the doctor to get further treatment.
Do not put any drops or put any medicine into the eye until it has not been advised by your doctor.
In addition to the above conditions, using acetone to clean nail polish for a long time can also make your nails look pale, dull, and more brittle.
Tips for Using Acetone Properly
There are several ways you can do to avoid the dangers of acetone, namely:
- Choose a well-ventilated room when using products with acetone in them.
- Limit the use of acetone to remove nail polish.
- Use gloves when using acetone-based household cleaning products.
- Use safety glasses to protect your eyes from overexposure to acetone.
- Keep acetone products out of reach of children and store in a place away from fire or heating machines.
Acetone is actually classified as safe, as long as it is used in the right way and not in excess. Therefore, you need to be careful when using it and always follow the instructions on the acetone product packaging
If you are accidentally exposed to acetone and experience symptoms of skin redness, nausea, and vomiting, consult a doctor immediately to get the right treatment.