No doubt, Drano is one of the most effective drain cleaners. It cleans even tough drain clogs like magic. But there’s a saying, “Every good thing comes with something bad as well.”
And this is applicable in the case of Drano too. There are several disadvantages to using Drano, and most of them are that it’s hazardous and risky.
As we all know that Drano if comes into contact with human skin, can ultimately damage it. But if we keep the direct contact with Drano aside, there’s another concern that many people aren’t clear about.
That is, whether breathing the fumes of Drano is terrible for the health. I’ll discuss this in this article to clear out all your confusion. So give it a read!
Quick Answer
Indeed yes, Drano has the potential to harm a person if inhaled as it can be caustic to the sensitive tissues of the nasal passage and the throat.
If you inhale the strong fume spread from Drano, it will immediately cause your nose and throat to burn.
The skins of both the throat and the nose of the human body are skinny and sensitive. Moreover, the tissue of these places is also very soft.
That’s why, while the skin of the other parts doesn’t visibly get injured due to the toxicity of the chemicals in Drano, the nose and the throat get affected very soon.
Besides, if you stay with the fumes of Drano and inhale it for too long, it can even affect or damage your lungs.
And sometimes, the situation might get even worse if the fumes from the Drano reaching the lungs get mixed up with oxygenated blood and spread to the whole body through the bloodstream.
If such things happen, it causes multiple health complications and increases the risk of fatal diseases like cancer.
Why Breathing in Drano Bad?
Drano contains a lot of chemicals that are very toxic and harmful to the health of human beings. The ingredient that majorly contributes to the toxicity of Drano is Sodium Hydroxide.
Sodium Hydroxide is also called caustic soda commonly. Thus, as you can see, it is even named caustic because of its highly caustic properties.
This very chemical has the potential to completely burn the human skin or rip it off, making it thinner gradually.
This is why breathing Drano being completely unaware of its dangers, has led to many health risks and complications among people.
These health complications include fatal issues, primarily from shortness of breath, increased heart rate, coughing, irritation in the eyes, vision problems, even asthma, and redness of the skin.
Again, many times caustic soda and other ingredients of Drano, like bleach and lye, can cause painful stomach cramps when the fumes are inhaled.
Moreover, if your house consists of a pregnant, sick, or nursing member, inhaling the fumes from Drano can lead to devastating health outcomes for them.
Also, keep your children away from Drano’s fumes, as children’s skins are more sensitive and softer than adults’ and get affected very quickly, even with the slightest contact.
How to Get Rid of Drano Smell?
By now, you have got an idea that the fumes of Drano are very harmful to the health if inhaled. That is why it is essential to get rid of it as soon as possible after applying Drano.
But for removing the Drano smell, you will have to be extra cautious as you might get exposed to it very quickly.
So, wear face masks, gloves, and protective clothes before taking steps to eliminate the toxic fume from Drano. Done? Now, start with the process of removing the Drano smell.
Ensure you remove the smell, and toxic fume from Drano after your drain is completely clean.
Because through this process, you will be neutralizing the effect of Drano. And so, it will be unable to further its work of clearing the clog.
First, remove any remaining residues of Drano around the drain hole using a cloth or paper towel.
After that, gently pour some white vinegar or lemon juice inside the drain to neutralize Drano. Be careful so the Drano doesn’t come back or splash with overflowing liquid.
Pour enough white vinegar or lemon juice so that it saturates the area of the drain. Then, let it sit for about 5 minutes.
Within this time, the vinegar or lemon juice will neutralize Drano and prevent it from spreading fumes and corroding the internal walls of the pipe.
After that, pour some water. If it’s a sink, bathtub, or shower drain, turn on the tap and let the water from the faucet run for about 30 seconds.
And then, use an absorbent cloth or wiper to wipe out the wet surface to remove as much moisture as possible. Dry the place completely after that.
Open all the windows near the area for proper ventilation so that the fume and smell can get away and also helps dry out the surface of the place.
Keep on checking whether the smell is lessening. If the scent doesn’t seem adequately removed within a day of the process, it is better to repeat it the next day.
Final Words
I hope I was able to help you with the details provided in this article about the lethality of Drano fumes.
Also, hopefully, the process I have mentioned above to remove the Drano fumes will help you recover from the problem.
At the end of the day, you caution that matters. Try not to use Drano unless there’s no other choice because health and safety should always come first.
Take care and stay safe!
James is an organic fertilizer professional who owns a successful organic fertilizer company in new jersey. He is an expert in waste management in both houses and community cases. In his free time, he loves to write about his experiences in the field.