Hazardous Household Chemicals Assignment

Affresh Washer Cleaner

IUPAC name: tetrasodium hydrogen peroxide dicarbonate
Common name: sodium percarbonate (solid hydrogen peroxide)

How the product works:

Affresh washer cleaner is a tablet used to remove odours, (sodium percarbonate, 2009)
residue, mold, mildew, and generally refresh HE washing machines.
The tablet is placed in the barrel of the washer, which is then set to
run a normal cycle on the hot water setting. When the product is
dissolved in the water, the sodium percarbonate produces water and sodium carbonate (also called
“soda ash”). Sodium percarbonate is a common product used in laundry cleaners because it is an
oxidizing material. (Wikipedia, 2009)

Health Hazards:
 Skin irritation: inflammation, itching, scaling, redness, and occasionally blistering, skin
burns, and ulcerations
 Inhalation: if over-exposed could cause respiratory irritation
 Eyes: redness, watering, and itching (Science Lab, 2009)
Environmental Hazards:
 It provides no environmental hazards (Shangyuchem, 2009)
Safe use and Handling:
 Do not ingest, or inhale dust, and use appropriate respiratory aids if needed in insufficient
ventilation
 Keep product out of heat, and away from combustible items and ignitable sources
 Avoid skin and eye contact with product
 Keep away from children and incompatibles (metals, acids, moisture, and reducing agents).
(Science Lab, 2009)

First Aid Procedure:

 Eyes: check for/remove any contact lenses, flush eyes immediately with running water for
at least 15 minutes with eyelids open. Cold water may be used. Seek medical attention.
 Skin: gently and thoroughly wash area immediately with a sufficient amount of cold water.
Use non-abrasive soap and be particularly careful to clean in folds of skin.
Use an emollient or an anti-bacterial cream on the area, and if irritation persists seek
medical attention.
 Inhalation: allow the victim to rest in a well ventilated area, then evacuate them to a safe
area as soon as possible after seeking medical attention. Loosen tight clothing (a collar, tie,
belt or waistband) and administer oxygen or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if person is not
breathing.
 Ingestion: do not induce vomiting. Follow same first-aid procedures inhalation should
breathing be difficult. (Science Lab, 2009)

Storage Consideration:
 Oxidizing materials should be stored in a separate safety storage cabinet or room.
Disposal Considerations:
 Product and clean container(s) should be disposed of in compliance with local regulations.
(Ronas Chemicals Ind.Co.,Ltd., 2008)
Reference

Sodium Percarbonate/ disposal considerations. (2008). In http://www.ronasgroup.com/sodium-

percarbonate.asp

http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-Sodium_percarbonate-9927598. Retrieved March 1,

2009, from URL.

Sodium percarbonate/ (2009). In http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_percarbonate. Retrieved

March 1, 2009, from URL.

Sodium Percarbonate/ (2009). http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://chemicalland21.com/

industrialchem/inorganic/156304.gif&imgrefurl=http://chemicalland21.com/industrialchem/in

organic/SODIUM%2520PERCARBONATE.htm&usg=__tVftalxWNQJObIRr25aSyVSfCI4=

&h=199&w=151&sz=2&hl=en&start=97&um=1&tbnid=KmqPHGnr4yQuuM:&tbnh=104&tbn

w=79&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522sodium%2Bpercarbonate%2522%26start%3D80%2

6ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%2. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from URL.

Sodium Percarbonate/ description. (2009). In http://www.runyoutech.com/htm/product/sodium_

percarbonate.htm. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from URL.