1. Contact With Skin

All xanthates are corrosive to the human skin. Contact with the skin can result in acute and severe effects. A brief contact with the powdered form can result in skin irritation. Prolonged exposure to the skin can cause severe burn on the skin. The effect can be more severe if the chemical is moisturized. Other effects on the skin are reddening, itching, swelling, blistering, rashes, and scaling.

When handling Xanthates, it is advisable to make use of impervious clothing to cover the exposed part of the body. You can use a glove to keep the hand area safe. Using a boot will also help in keeping your leg area safe from getting contact with the chemical even during a spillage.

2. Contact With Eyes

Xanthates are equally corrosive to the human eye. Brief eye contact with any of the xanthates can cause eye irritation. Prolonged exposure can lead to redness and cornea damage due to abrasiveness. Make sure to rinse thoroughly with water after the eye is exposed to the chemical. To prevent contact of the chemical with the eye while handling, it is advisable to make use of eye goggles.

3. Ingestion

Xanthates are poisonous substances which can be dangerous when ingested in both large and small quantities. When ingested, it can cause a burning sensation of the mouth, irritation in the tongue and mouth area, and throat burn. It may also result in continuous abdominal pains. The victim must see a doctor if ingestion occurs.

To avoid ingestion of Xanthates, do not eat, drink, or smoke while the chemical is being handled. Wash your hand thoroughly after handling the chemical. You can also use a mouth cover to keep the mouth from being exposed to the chemical.

4. Environmental Hazards

Xanthates can constitute a nuisance to the environment if not properly handled. The chemical should not be disposed of carelessly to avoid posing danger to the environment. It is advisable to dispose of chemicals in line with local authorities for disposing of harmful chemicals.

Xanthates can release toxic fumes into the environment during combustion. Dangerous fumes such as oxides of carbon can be emitted while burning any of the Xanthates. More so, exposing Xanthates to water bodies can cause poisoning of aquatic animals. The chemical should also be kept in a cool place as heating can cause exposure which can result in injury.

5. Xanthates Toxicity In Water

Exposing Xanthates to water bodies is extremely dangerous for aquatic lives. As such, it is not always advisable to flush chemicals down the drain. The chemicals contaminate waters and make them unsafe for drinking and other human needs. Aside from poisoning, using water in contact with xanthates can result in irritation, burns, or any of its negative effects.

6. Are Xanthates Corrosive?

Yes, Xanthates are classified as corrosive chemicals. They have acute and severe effects on exposure to any of the sensitive human bodies. They can cause irritations, burns, and other damages to the human body.

7. Safety Measures And Handling The Chemical

To avoid being a victim of Xanthates' corrosiveness, it is advisable to employ the necessary safety measures. The following should be in check when handling any of the Xanthates:

  • Make use of impervious clothing, gloves, and boots while handling the chemicals. This helps in discouraging contact with the skin or any part of the body.
  • Make use of a nose mask or respirator mask to avoid inhaling the dust from the chemical. It also helps in keeping your nose safe in case of spillage.
  • Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling the chemical. Cover your mouth with a mouth cover while handling the chemicals. Avoid touching your mouth area while handling the chemicals.
  • Rinse your hands and other parts of the body thoroughly after handling the chemical.
  • Dispose the chemicals and their containers properly and avoid it lying idle in the environment.
  • Keep the chemical in a cool place and a well-ventilated place. Keep heat and fire away from these chemicals to avoid combustion and release of toxic fumes.