What does alkaline mean and why was the corrosive substance used in the Clapham attack so harmful?

The frequency of corrosive substance attacks in Britain has increased in recent years to over 700 in 2022
Tamara Davison6 February 2024

The manhunt for Abdul Shokoor Ezedi has entered its sixth day and police are concerned that he may be receiving help to evade capture

The 35-year-old is suspected of a chemical attack on a mother and her two young daughters in Clapham last Wednesday. Doctors are concerned the woman may lose the sight in one eye.

The suspect fled the scene and has remained at large ever since, prompting speculation that he could have taken his own life or is being hidden. He was last seen when he left Tower Hill Tube station on Wednesday evening, with CCTV showing “significant injuries to the right side of his face”.

No motive has been revealed for the attack but it has been reported that the woman was known to Ezedi. 

It has since been reported that the substance sprayed into the family's faces may have been alkali, a type of chemical that can burn when in contact with skin. Onlookers claimed the attack made the victim's lips turn black and skin strip off her face.

According to Acid Survivors Trust International, attacks of this nature documented by the police went from 421 in 2021 to 710 in 2022.

So what exactly is an alkali and what's being done to prevent chemical attacks in the UK?

A number of household items are alkalines
Unsplash

What does alkaline mean?

Alkaline refers to a collection of substances or powders, like ammonia or bleach, that can be harmful when they come in contact with human skin.

The vast majority of alkaline substances have legitimate uses and are found in many household items, such as heavy-duty cleaning products. Even baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an alkaline.

In scientific terms, alkalines contain hydroxides and are known as bases that sit on the opposite side of the pH scale to acids. Both can be equally harmful and should be handled carefully and only used for their intended purposes.

Unfortunately, just like acids, alkalines are sometimes misused in attacks, which can have devastating effects.

The alkaline substance thrown over the family also got on to the skin of people who treated them, showing how potent the effects of alkaline compounds can be.

Shannon Christi, who treated their burns, said: “I think the girl had some of the substance on her coat. My lips and arm were burning. I had to go to hospital but am okay. I hope the woman is too, she looked like she could have been badly hurt.”

How to treat someone after a corrosive substance attack?

While it may seem alarming that corrosive substance attacks are on the rise, information has been released to help people react to such an incident.

According to St John Ambulance, it's crucial to avoid coming into contact with the chemical as much as possible by wearing thick gloves when dealing with victims.

Don't try to neutralise the burns unless you've been properly trained. Instead, try to flood the burn with water to help relieve the burning sensations.

It is against the law to carry acid in the UK with the intent of causing harm and people can face prosecution.

The Offensive Weapons Act introduced in 2019 also imposed limitations on the sale and possession of corrosive substances.

Further details on how to treat victims of acid attacks is available on the NHS site.

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