When cement is dry it contains calcium oxide, which is not particularly dangerous. However, when water is added to cement, calcium hydroxide is formed, which is extremely alkaline with a pH of 12 to 13. Normal human skin has a pH of 5.5; therefore, wet cement can produce alkaline (caustic) skin burns which progress and get worse without more exposure. A worker may have wet concrete on his or her skin for hours without feeling any discomfort; however, the cement is damaging the skin microscopically. Early identification of changes to the skin is important so steps can be taken to treat the affected area.
Don’t assume the burn will not get worse. By the time a worker becomes aware of a burn, much damage has already occurred and further damage is difficult to stop.
Cement burns frequently produce discoloration of the skin, gradually changing to a deep purple-blue color, eventually progressing to painful burns, ulcerations and, in the worst cases, amputation. Some patients report red inflamed skin near the affected area followed by severe blistering. Cement burns can also lead to allergic dermatitis.
So yep, you guessed it, I have two rather nasty looking dime sized burns on my forearm. The do hurt a bit, but hopefully the worst is over. The good news is that I have the stucco on all of the grill structure, with just a couple of small patches to fix tonight. Hopefully I won't damage myself any further.
Happy Valentines day to my wife, and all the ladies that want me but can't have me.
5 comments:
That was a very informative chemistry lesson, thank you. Sorry about the burns though. Good thing you're tough.
That's why I love him. He has a burn but still made me dinner and cleared off the guest bed for my mom (who comes tomorrow).
And that is a lot of ladies!
Huh, your southern exposure has turned you into kind of a sissy (smart sissy, but a sissy none-the-less). I worked for a concrete company for an entire summer and had no ill side-effects except for the almost constant hang over. You better come up and visit before a little ant bite puts you in the hospital! At this rate LBF will be kicking you arse before it can crawl!
BKR
P.S. One moment you're giving them kisses, the next thing you know they try to eat your nose off! Watch out for the little ones when they get teeth!
is that the 3 am burn??
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