fats, oils, and other types of soil, which can
then be washed away. Soaps and detergents for
household cleaning use, generally have a pH of
8 to 9.5. Continuous exposure to them can
cause harmful degreasing of the skin, but they
are safe in ordinary use. Detergents can either
remove the natural oils from the skin or set up
a reaction with the oils of the skin to increase
susceptibility to chemicals that ordinarily do
not affect the skin. Some slightly acid cleaners
with a pH of 6 (the pH of the skin) are used
for removing heavy, adherent grime from the
body. These hand soaps usually contain sol-
vents that suspend greasy soil without materi-
ally degreasing the skin.
Protective Equipment
Sanitation workers should wear water-
proof, knee-high footwear to maintain dry
feet. Trouser legs should be worn on the out-
side of the boots to prevent entry of pow-
dered material, hot water, or strong cleaning
solutions. Strap-top boots are recommended
where trouser legs may be worn inside boots.
Protective equipment requirements vary
with the strength of solution and method of
use. Where cleaning materials are dispersed
through spray and brush form for overhead
cleaning, protective hoods, long gloves with
gauntlets turned back to prevent the cleaner
from running up the arms, and long aprons
should be worn. Proper respiratory protec-
tive devices approved for the specific expo-
sure should be worn where mists or gases are
encountered during mixing or use. Supervi-
sors should be made aware of the proper size
and type of respiratory equipment and must
ensure that this equipment is used and main-
tained properly.
Chemical goggles or safety glasses should
be used when handling even mild cleaning
compounds. Cleaning compounds of the
strength of hand soaps can cause severe eye
irritation (even though these materials are
considered relatively mild) as their average
pH is 9.0. Constant contact with even milder
cleaning solutions can cause dermatitis due
to chemical reaction, degreasing effects on
the skin, or both. A person wearing contact
lenses should not work in any area where
dangerous chemicals are handled.Mixing and Using
An apron, goggles, rubber gloves, and dust
respirator must be worn when mixing or com-
pounding dry ingredients. Cleaners should be
mixed and dispensed only by experienced,
well-trained personnel. The sanitation super-
visor should have knowledge of chemical fun-
damentals of cleaning ingredients and should
provide workers with the knowledge required
to prevent accidents. They should know the
hazards of each individual compound and
how compounds are likely to react when
mixed. Safety information on new com-
pounds put in use should be made available.
Workers should be instructed that cleaning
compounds are not simply soaps, but strong
and potentially dangerous chemicals that
require protective measures. Protective equip-
ment must be cleaned after use.
Most cleaning solutions should be com-
pounded with cold water only. A few must be
mixed with hot water to go into solution.
These materials must be limited to those that
do not produce a heat reaction during mix-
ing with water. Cold water should be added
during mixing to keep the solution below the
boiling point or the point at which obnox-
ious vapors are emitted.
All cleaning compounds should be used in
recommended concentrations. Once a dry
cleaner is mixed or compounded, it should be
stored in an identified container indicating
its commonly used name, ingredients, pre-
cautions, and recommended concentration.
Proper supervision is essential. Sanitation
workers are frequently prone to take the
attitude that “if a little is good, a lot is
better.” The result is concentrations that areCleaning Compounds 161