Take a moment to consider just what is needed to remove a clog like that. More than 2000 people were injured using them last year. For example, crystal chemical cleaners actually cause a gas or vapor and make the pipes hot when used. Acid cleaners can crack porcelin toilets or sinks if it gets too hot. If someone mixes the cleaner with another agent (like bleach) this can cause a deadly chlorine gas.
Let's take a look at some of the topics on the warning label:
Ingestion
While you might think that this is a no-brainer it happens. Recently a small child managed to open up a bottle of it while in the super market (Link to article here). He suffered burns down his throat to his stomach. Most bottles have childproof lids, but accidents happen.
These liquids are filled with chemicals to basically burn and tear away the clog - imagine what that would be like going down your throat. Drinking drain cleaner can result in burns, tissue damage, and symptoms like poisoning, abdominal pain, vomiting and blood pressure problems.
Exposure to Skin & Eyes
Drain cleaners are not just dangerous when ingested. Sodium hydroxide can cause burns and tissue damage when your skin is exposed to it. If it splashes in your eyes it could even cause blindness.
Toxic Fumes
Inhaling the fumes from drain cleaner can damage your upper respiratory tract or even result in lung tissue damage. In some cases it has resulted in chemical pneumonia.
Not for Pets
Thankfully our furry friends do not have opposable thumbs, so they won't be opening the bottles on their own. However, if you leave the drain easily accessible while the cleaner is in it, some pets just cannot resist a drink from the toilet or sniffing around the sink. All of the symptoms and conditions listed above could come to harm your pets (burns, damage, and sickness).
Drain cleaners are not only toxic for us, but they can be dangerous for your pipes. Cleaners can eat away at your pipes throughout time - or much quicker if mixxed with other chemicals and leave you with a nasty suprirse. If the clog is not released by the cleaner, then the chemicals will remain in the pipes and stirred by your further unclogging efforts. That means that these chemicals could mix with other attempts or worse - come back and splash onto your skin or face.
So What Do I Use for Drain Cleaner?
So now that we've went through the basics, what are you left with? Mr. Rooter took the time to create a drain cleaner (BioChoiceES) that is non-toxic and bio-degradable. Because of the green decisions made by BioChoiceES, the Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) allows all containers of BioChoiceES to display the Design for the Environment logo. If you happen to swallow it (which we do not recommend) instead of sending you to the hospital you might get a little sick to your stomach. That's a pretty big difference.
One of the best ways to keep your drain clogs to a mimimum is to use strainer covers in your sinks and avoid pouring grease down your kitchen sink. Grease is one of the main causes of drain backups - hair and soap matted together aren't far behind.
In the event of any type of exposure to drain cleaner you should call the National Poison Control Center : 1-800-222-1222. Immediate treatment is needed to prevent further damage. If you have a clog that needs snaked, call your local Mr. Rooter plumber! 315-472-1203
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