Drain cleaners contain very dangerous chemicals that can be harmful to your health if you swallow them, breathe them in (inhale), or if they come in contact with your skin and eyes.
Liquid plumber, Drano, and other drain cleaners are made of a cocktail of toxic chemicals. These chemicals are very dangerous to human health. Among the dangerous chemicals found in liquid drain cleaners are lye or sodium hydroxide, which is mixed with bleach for a very caustic end result.
Symptoms of drain cleaner poisoning include: Abdominal pain (severe) Breathing difficulty due to throat swelling. Burns of the mouth and throat.
Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Toxic
When these fumes are inhaled, they can cause serious health problems, including respiratory irritation and damage, as well as eye and skin irritation. In some cases, these fumes can even be fatal.
The sulfur smell you are smelling is because it is mainly composed of Sulfuric Acid. If you smell it throughout your house it might be damaging your pipes. To clear a clog I would recommend a plunger and a drain snake before resorting to any acids. If those do not work I would recommend a plumber.
Damage to Plumbing Fixtures
In addition to the pipes, leaving Drano in the drain for too long can damage the plumbing fixtures. This includes the sink, shower, bathtub, and other plumbing fixtures connected to the drain. These fixtures can become corroded and discolored and can start to show signs of wear and tear.
Inflammation of the lung. Severe burning and associated pain in the mouth, throat, and food-pipe (even the stomach may be burnt); drooling from the mouth. Due to this, the eyes, nose, and ears may be affected. Severe damage along the gastrointestinal tract including the stomach; severe stomach pain.
Certain ingredients found in drain cleaners combine with nitrites to form carcinogens and neurotoxins. Repeated or long-term exposure to these chemicals may increase your risk of certain cancers.
Drain cleaners are also made with dangerous chemicals that can be quite harmful to the people using them. They release harmful fumes which can cause burns on the skin, eyes, and internal linings of the respiratory system. They can also cause serious burns and rashes if they come in contact with your skin.
If you have inhaled chemical or toxic fumes, you should get into fresh air straight away. Loosen tight clothing and open doors and windows wide. If you are with someone who has inhaled toxic fumes, seek medical attention immediately.
If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.
VOCs and other chemicals released when using cleaning supplies contribute to chronic respiratory problems, allergic reactions and headaches. Studies are underway to assess how these chemicals affect people who have asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
When mixed, the contents of certain cleaners can trigger dangerous chemical reactions, such as the combination of ammonia and bleach. Mixing them produces toxic fumes that, when inhaled, cause coughing; difficulty breathing; and irritation of the throat, eyes and nose.
You can use Drano® Clog Removers to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or clogged bathtub, but DO NOT use them in toilets. For clogged or slow-running drains, apply the product and let it work 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. For tough problems, allow 30 minutes before flushing.
In fact, using Drano can end up causing serious damage to your plumbing over time, potentially leaving you with costly repairs that could have been avoided by calling a plumber for regular drain cleaning.
Option #1: Baking Soda and Cider Vinegar
Baking soda is actually one of the most common alternative drain cleaners! It's also very effective for routine maintenance and doesn't take long at all to prepare. For the best effect, mix a cup of baking soda with a cup of cider vinegar. Pour it down the drain with hot water.
The fumes aren't healthy to breathe in and can irritate your nose, eyes and throat. These chemicals can stick around in the air long after the product has gone down the drain, continuing to cause more irritation and unpleasant smells. Drain cleaners can damage your pipes.
Some people say weekly, bi-monthly or quarterly. However, we feel that cleaning your drains monthly should be sufficient to avoid major plumbing issues. A monthly cleaning will allow you to use safe cleaning methods which will save you time, energy and money in the long term.
No! Draino is mostly just lye, a very strong base, while vinegar is dilute acetic acid. Vinegar and lye will react immediately releasing heat. If most of the Draino hasn't been rinsed from the drain liquid is likely to come shooting back up at you.
There are 3 common types of drain cleaners used: caustic drain cleaners, oxidizing drain cleaners, and acid drain cleaners. These contain aggressive and toxic chemicals such as lye, bleach, sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid that are formulated to dissolve blockages such as hair and food.
Baking Soda and White Vinegar
To use this method, pour half a cup of baking soda into the clogged drain and follow it with a half cup of white vinegar. Let this mixture sit for about 20-30 minutes, and then pour about half a quart of boiling water down the drain.
Drain cleaner can linger in your pipes far after even a single-use. This can open up the possibility of other chemical cleaners reacting with it and creating harmful fumes. The chemicals in the product can also pose a major threat to the health and safety of anyone working with it. Drano is caustic.
Using a snake is also more invasive and time-consuming than using a chemical cleaner is, and can often become a dirty job. When it comes to getting at and removing major clogs or clogs that are deep down in your pipes, however, a plumber's snake is your best bet.