Drano
- Xenon
- Posts: 264
- Joined: 09 Jun 2006, 10:00
- Job Title: Rocket Scientist
- School: Arndell Anglican College
- Suburb: Oakville
- State/Location: NSW
Drano
We have a yr9 Assessment Task where household chemicals are tested with home-made indicators. One of the listed products is Drano which is 54% NaOH, User Code 11-12 in the CSIS Appendix D (though may be used under 'close supervision' for soap and paper making activities ONLY. Solutions stronger than 1M are seniors or Tch (>4M) so I give them <1M (4%) solution in dropper bottles, which is far removed from the original intention of testing household products. If anyone else has come across this, what do you do, or are eyeballs rolling upwards everywhere?
Drano in experiments
Hi Xenon,
This is always a touchy subject as you already know!! But if the Drano is used in small quantities then this should not be an issue.
If the tests are involving indicators then a safer more efficient way would be to add a few grains to a test tube, hence already preparing it, then issuing the test tube out rather than the Drano.
This way it reduces exposure to the Drano and gives the students a more realistic Kitchen Chemistry feel to the experiment.
Using this technique should not be a problem and you have reduced exposure and made a potential hazardous situation quite feasible and safe..
Hope this helps..
Robb........
This is always a touchy subject as you already know!! But if the Drano is used in small quantities then this should not be an issue.
If the tests are involving indicators then a safer more efficient way would be to add a few grains to a test tube, hence already preparing it, then issuing the test tube out rather than the Drano.
This way it reduces exposure to the Drano and gives the students a more realistic Kitchen Chemistry feel to the experiment.
Using this technique should not be a problem and you have reduced exposure and made a potential hazardous situation quite feasible and safe..
Hope this helps..
Robb........
Dr Robert Crosdale. MRACI. NSS. NSSA. NASA.
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
- worktofish
- Posts: 12
- Joined: 18 May 2006, 10:00
- State/Location: TAS
Drano, Sodium Hydroxide
Hi All,
Just keep in mind that if there is an accident then you would then be liable. There always label what you make.
One other consideration to also take on board, that being - Sodium hydroxide does not produce systemic toxicity, but is very CORROSIVE and can cause severe burns in all tissues that it comes in contact with.
Sodium hydroxide poses a particular threat to the eyes, since it can hydrolyze protein, leading to severe eye damage.
Hope this helps,
Robb.......
Just keep in mind that if there is an accident then you would then be liable. There always label what you make.
One other consideration to also take on board, that being - Sodium hydroxide does not produce systemic toxicity, but is very CORROSIVE and can cause severe burns in all tissues that it comes in contact with.
Sodium hydroxide poses a particular threat to the eyes, since it can hydrolyze protein, leading to severe eye damage.
Hope this helps,
Robb.......
Dr Robert Crosdale. MRACI. NSS. NSSA. NASA.
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
Sodium hydroxide
Hi All,
please bear in mind that, if just about ANY concentration of sodium hydroxide (Drano) gets into anyone's eyes (ie. if they are NOT wearing safety glasses), you only have SECONDS in which to act.
Get the person to a safety shower or eyewash station and wash the eye for at least 15 minutes with running water. Then off to a medical centre for a doctors opinion.
If the cornea gets 'burnt', only a corneal transplant will fix it and that takes a person to die to donate one.
please bear in mind that, if just about ANY concentration of sodium hydroxide (Drano) gets into anyone's eyes (ie. if they are NOT wearing safety glasses), you only have SECONDS in which to act.
Get the person to a safety shower or eyewash station and wash the eye for at least 15 minutes with running water. Then off to a medical centre for a doctors opinion.
If the cornea gets 'burnt', only a corneal transplant will fix it and that takes a person to die to donate one.
drano
Hi ! Surely there are a miriad of other household bases they could test? How about washing powders eg Omo , the cheapest laundry soap you can find -scrape a few peelings off it, cloudy ammonia etc. I couldn't let them have grains of drano here ! It would be an accident waiting to happen. But then I've side tracked the teachers onto alternatives before ..so I guess they are used to it. I see your problem.
Hi,
Hoe you can use this one
RAINBOW EXPERIMENT
Equipment:
Large measuring cylinder (1L)
Sodium Carbonate (washing soda)
Vinegar
Long stirring rod
Universal indicator
Method:
Fill measuring cylinder (3/4) with water
Stir approximately 10mL of universal indicator
Add 30 gr washing soda
Add about 80 mL vinegar
Stir with rotating action
Adjust quantities if different size cylinder is used
The cylinder will keep layers for days (this is diffusion experiment diffusion of the Sodium carbonate is slow), but it will work for pH as well cause adding vinegar or washing powder is obvious pH cahange
Hoe you can use this one
RAINBOW EXPERIMENT
Equipment:
Large measuring cylinder (1L)
Sodium Carbonate (washing soda)
Vinegar
Long stirring rod
Universal indicator
Method:
Fill measuring cylinder (3/4) with water
Stir approximately 10mL of universal indicator
Add 30 gr washing soda
Add about 80 mL vinegar
Stir with rotating action
Adjust quantities if different size cylinder is used
The cylinder will keep layers for days (this is diffusion experiment diffusion of the Sodium carbonate is slow), but it will work for pH as well cause adding vinegar or washing powder is obvious pH cahange
Cheers Jazz
- Xenon
- Posts: 264
- Joined: 09 Jun 2006, 10:00
- Job Title: Rocket Scientist
- School: Arndell Anglican College
- Suburb: Oakville
- State/Location: NSW
Thanks All, for suggestions and info. I might just re-label some dilute NaOH as "Drano" next time, Wink (with appropriate warnings, of course).
Rita - we use similar products, and OJ, Jiff. Perfume is on our list but I substitute lemon essence. I make up and keep long-life red cabbage indicator in fridge. Some students make their own, others bring in beetroot juice or tea (no milk or sugar).
cheers,
Xe
Rita - we use similar products, and OJ, Jiff. Perfume is on our list but I substitute lemon essence. I make up and keep long-life red cabbage indicator in fridge. Some students make their own, others bring in beetroot juice or tea (no milk or sugar).
cheers,
Xe
- Ocean Breeze
- Posts: 798
- Joined: 01 Jun 2006, 10:00
- Job Title: Lab Manager
- State/Location: NSW