How long should chemicals, such as battery acid, be flushed from the eye?

When dealing with exposure to harmful chemicals like battery acid in the eye, it is crucial to flush the eye thoroughly to minimize damage. The recommended duration for flushing is 15 minutes. This time frame is based on guidelines from health and safety organizations, which emphasize that flushing an eye with water or saline for at least 15 minutes helps to ensure that any chemical residues are sufficiently diluted and removed. This prolonged flushing allows for adequate irrigation of the eye, reducing the risk of severe injury or long-term effects.

The reason for flushing for this duration is that immediate action is crucial, but sufficient time is also necessary to ensure that all traces of the chemical are washed away from both the surface and any potentially affected areas within the eye. Although flushing for shorter periods might begin the cleaning process, it may not be effective enough to prevent lasting damage from the acid. Consequently, a 15-minute flushing period is considered a standard and effective practice in emergency response protocols for chemical exposure to the eyes.