Cleaning up nicotine spills

[grantemsley]

It hasn't happened to me yet. But I'd like to know what to do if it ever did.

What should I do if for example I broke a 250ml bottle of 50mg/ml or 100mg/ml nicotine? What is the safest way to clean it up? Or should I just call 911 and ask for a hazmat team?

I'm assuming the first thing I should do would be to remove any clothes that got the liquid on them and wash off any that got on my skin. Would just mopping it up and washing with soap and water a few time sufficient to clean it up off the floor?

 

[NCC]

I'm no expert either. And, hopefully one will come along with a better answer. But, there's clearly a huge difference between 50 & 100mg juice.
In either case, 250ml is a pretty massive spill and not a trivial matter. But, they would have a different level of alarm (for me anyway). Having thrown that in the ring, I'll wait for the better equipped to give you a better answer.

If it happened to me tonight: I'd be thinking lots of water (dilution), gloves, disposable rags & towels, open windows, wash, dispose, repeat several times, dispose of gloves and all contaminated material. Ewww, it would also make a BIG difference as to what kind of surface the spill took place on. Ceramic tile -- shag carpet? Just don't do it, LOL.

 

[cosmic charlie]

Kitty litter soak it up, sweep it up place it in a ziplock and toss. Saw dust would work basically you want to absorb the liquid and make it as solid as possiable don't want it in the watershed and what not

 

[cosmic charlie]

Dammit now I sound like a hippie

 

[NCC]

Dammit now I sound like a hippie

Got somethin' against hippies? Haha

Naw, kitty litter has lots of uses. I don't have any on hand, but ...

 

[cosmic charlie]

Well how many dead concerts have you been to? Dollar store really the cheap stuff at piggly wiggly isn't that much.

 

[kushka]

The thing about nicotine is it dissipates fairly quickly when exposed to air. Lookup nicotine and organic gardening some time. Nicotine is a great insecticide and one that is allowed in organic gardening because you can spray your plants with a 40% solution (400mg/ml) and the next day you can safely eat the plant because the nicotine will be gone.

That said - it is still very poisonous when wet and worst pg and vg do not dry out quickly on its own which will hinder the quickness it can dissipate - but it is no more dangerous then any other strong insecticide. If you get in on you - go take a shower then put on rubber gloves and very carefully mop up the spill and throw away the paper towels or whatever you clean up with and them (and be very sure that the wet paper towels are sealed in the trash against being accidentally touched) then wash the surface down - being very cautious not to let any child or pet touch any surface that it was exposed to until the surface is completely dry from the cleaning.

Use common science but don't let yourself get overly alarmed. When I was using nicotine as an insecticide I often got some 40% solution on my hands more then once and only washed it off with cold tap water. Also I overfill my cartos with 26mg/ml all the time - which means that I find myself getting some in my mouth almost daily - and so far I am not dead.

 

[mauzey]

If available, a box of crushed up Corn Flakes with soak up a lake in no time, scoop and dispose of appropriately. Don't smoke it hippie!!

 

[cosmic charlie]

Use common science but don't let yourself get overly alarmed. When I was using nicotine as an insecticide I often got some 40% solution on my hands more then once and only washed it off with cold tap water. Also I overfill my cartos with 26mg/ml all the time - which means that I find myself getting some in my mouth almost daily - and so far I am not dead.

Funny thing about common sense ... or did you mean science yes gloves, glasses, some kind of liquid absorbant on hand, some zipper seal bags, and a mild bleach or vinager/ water solution for cleaning the surface should cover any mishaps.
I would also encourage keeping an eye wash kit around just in case. They come in handy for all kinds of eye related foreign object trauma and are relatively cheap at any pharmacy.

 

[Cee_Jay]

Well how many dead concerts have you been to? . . . . .

Dozens (in a past life), even worked on the band (Hard Truckers) equipment at times. GAWD whadda trip !!!

 

[cosmic charlie]

Ha ha last one I saw was the summer JG passed... seems like a past life!