Caustic Soda

*herb*

Our neighbours have gone loco ! At this point they are dusting down the outside of the perimiter of their property (including our railings) with what I believe is caustic soda. Apart from our two year old escaping in the rain in her socks or our dog walking it into the house, Is there anything legally procurable or naturally occuring that would react with this stuff that we should be mindful off?

Many thanks

stealinhorses

Try not to get sick on it or pour hot vinegar all over the place and you should be ok

*herb*

So would I be correct in thinking that if a small dog were to pee in the vicinity, the vet's bill might be big?

Delphi91

*herb* wrote: »

Our neighbours have gone loco ! At this point they are dusting down the outside of the perimiter of their property (including our railings) with what I believe is caustic soda.....

Which begs the question, WHY????

SOL

No, I don't think peeing on it will result in any great reaction, but dissolving it is exothermic, and can get quite hot, creating a hot concentrated solution of caustic soda which will cause SEVERE burns.

Also, caustic soda solutions will react readily with anything made from aluminium producing hydrogen and destroying your aluminium item. This also results in the generation of a lot of heat and also Hydrogen, which is flammable. This is not likely to be hazardous outdoors where it will rapidly blow away, but in a confined space it could be very dangerous!

Also, WHY? You should really ask your neighbours exactly what they are spreading and WHY?

Delphi91

SOL wrote: »

...but dissolving it is exothermic, and can get quite hot, creating a hot concentrated solution of caustic soda which will cause SEVERE burns...

Did that once without realising....Was putting drain cleaner down a drain. I put it in a plastic watering can to dissolve it but used hot water instead of cold! Goodbye watering can!!!!!!

enda1

Could it just be an ant poison? (Talcom powder for example)