leaking calculator battery ..i touched the liquid..is it really dangerous?

Question

should i go to ER or wash my hands 3000 times. please help. im so paranoid.

Answer 1

You do not state what the size and markings the battery had,
and there are hundreds of different calculator batteries. The worst
are the sealed Lithium Ion type, some of which are sealed with ceramic, and under pressure. Some are button type, with either
silver, Ni-cad, alkaline, lithium, and just plain old 'acid".
Someone stated that ALKALINEs are not acid, which is wrong,
the Alkalines are LESS acid, but still acid, - a common miss-nomer.
Some calculator batteries are actually mutiple batteries in a
package of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and up to 9 cells of varying types.

Typical calulator batteries are either off the shelf AA, AAA, AAAA,
9 volt, Alkaline or regular "acid" with a cabon core. These produce a more yellowy corrosive fluid, while the typical "alkaline"
types produce a usually clear, water like fluid. Both types eventually turn cystaline with age.

The newer "alkalines" if in contact with your eyes, nose, or lips,
do not immediately produce any large discomfort, but the long
term burning lasts a LONG time... If your hands are contaminated,
do not accidently rub your eyes or face.

Lots of water, soap, soaking etc will remove most immediate
problems, - the faster the better, and as someone stated,
ordinary Baking Soda ( Sodium Bicarbonate ) will neutralize
the ACID effectively if mixed in water.

I get acid on my hands all the time from corroded batteries,
usually old lead/acid or alkaline, AA, AAA or 9 volt ( good 9 volts
have 6 AAAA batteries inside the case ) and I just wash with water. I have accidently gotten Alkaline on my face ( looking UP at
a device that I did not realize was dripping acid ) and it is nasty - not
at first, but in the long term...

There are many rare batteries and strange batteries, and I have
seen quite a few, and some are really dangerous and nasty.
Since You did not state the KIND of battery, I can't guess if you
are dealing with one of the bad type, and hope you "just" have
the common, consumer type...

Most of the advice given above by others is fairly good, lots of
water and soap and soda.... Unless you have it on your face
you should not have any serious problems...

In a day, there should be no trace of the acid on your skin, and
you will be fine.

Hope this helps

robin

Answer 2

Actually, if it was an alkyline battery that was leaking, then it's not an acid that came out, but a basic solution. Still, nothing to worry about. Just wash it off.

Do you think they would allow personal electronics batteries to be sold that were that dangerous?

Think about it...

Also, you might want to see a neurologist to have them check you to see if you have obsessive compulsive disorder or some other neurological disorder that would make you worry about things inordinantly.

Answer 3

Well, it is acidic. There's no reason to go to the ER for that, unless it's a car battery, I would go for the route of just washing your hands, keep the water running over the area you touched for a few minutes, and avoid touching your eyes or food, your mouth, anything like that, for a couple hours. If you got it into your eyes or anything like that, rinse the area out with plenty of water. And if the area stings, then rince under some more water.

Answer 4

Well, it's not really an absorption toxicity risk. The biggest problem is that it's very basic (alkaline), which can cause burns. Just make sure your hands are thouroughly washed, and wipe up anything it might have leaked on.

Answer 5

wash your hands well a couple of times should be sufficient. if you got a lot on there, then make a solution of some baking soda and warm water mixed together, and wash your hands in that. the baking soda should neutralize any acid from the leaking battery.

Answer 6

yes it is...if it gets to any open wound, rubbed to your skin, or stuck in your mouth. Thorough cleaning w/ rubbing alcohol, rinse then thorough cleaning w/ soap, check under the fingernails. I'm not a doctor or a chemist but I think that should do the trick. I've had that experience so many times while working w/ electronic stuff.

Answer 7

that would be an acid wash your hands off with baking soda you should be find you may have irritations on the skin how much liquid you touch may depend on what it does to you. a few drops however I think you will be fine.

Answer 8

I think it might be. But just incase wash your hands with soap real good. That happend to me once and i quickly washed my hands. It has alittle acid in it i think, but i just washed my hands.

Answer 9

No, its too late for that...chop off your arm....

Just kidding...wash it once with soap and water. At worst you have a little red mark for a day or too...

Answer 10

No,wash your hands good a couple of times..No big deal.:))