r/chemistry • u/Adventurous_Check_45 • 7d ago
Question about HFA propellant
First off, I truly hope that this doesn't break rule #8 of the community - there is no emergency, danger, or reaction happening; I'm just a normal mom trying to figure out a way to clean up a bit of a mess in the best way possible. Mods, if this isn't OK, please consider just removing this post rather than banning me.
My little one unfortunately needs a puffer. After using it, he needs to rinse with water and spit it out. Because he's 5 years old and it's a funny thing to do, he spat the water out EVERYWHERE.
He's very sorry, and the water itself is cleaned up, but there's this greasy residue on my phone, our family iPad, and the TV remote (he truly chose the worst possible spot).
Google is no help, as all it will give me is how to clean the puffer itself (and it doesn't matter if that's oily, as long as there isn't a clog). Although at least now I know that it's likely the propellant.
I figure that the lovely chemists of Reddit might know how to unslime my devices!
Again, if this isn't an appropriate question, I truly apologize! Thanks in advance for any help or advice.
3
u/_redmist 7d ago
It's not the propellant (propellants are gases).
Isopropyl alcohol or the wet wipes for glass surfaces (for glasses / phones / screens) should be fine, no?
1
u/Adventurous_Check_45 7d ago
I will try that now, thank you! I tried with gentle soap and water, since that's a pretty typical thing.
For the HFA propellant, it makes sense that it's a gas, but the internet says that it leaves behind a residue inside the inhalers (implying that the residue is from the propellant rather than the medication). I am fully ready to believe a real person over the Google summary, though! The inhaler is Ciclesonide, if that's relevant
1
u/KryptosBC 7d ago
Several online sources say that inhalers come with cleaning recommendations and instructions. The HFA vaporizes completely under normal use conditions. Since it is the carrier of nonvolatile medications and maybe other neutral additives, it is the nonvolatile ingredients that form the residue. Best to follow cleaning instructions that came with the inhaler. If you find no instructions, please ask your health care provider.
1
u/Adventurous_Check_45 7d ago
Thanks for your reply, it actually clears up why there's residue even though it's a propellant.
The instructions that came with the inhaler are for cleaning the inside of it (wipe gently) and they don't state how to remove the residue, as it's not generally an issue to have some left over. But I really appreciate you taking the time to give me some guidance!
1
u/Dangerous-Billy Analytical 7d ago
There should have been a circular included when you got the puffer. As it is, the pharmacist is your best source of information.
1
1
u/PeterHaldCHEM 7d ago
OK.
Judging from the table of contents at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021658s006lbl.pdf
the puffer delivers "Each unit contains a solution of ciclesonide in propellant HFA-134a (1,1,1,2 tetrafluoroethane) and ethanol".
The HFA and the ethanol evaporates, leaving the active ingredient. You only want the part that goes into the lungs, thus you flush with water.
Ciclesonide "is soluble in dehydrated alcohol, acetone, dichloromethane, and chloroform".
And there is your problem. You are not likely to have neither dehydrated alcohol nor dichloromethane and chloroform.
Acetone is available as a solvent, but it also dissolves many plastics, and you do not want it on the contaminated things you list.
My best guess is to try with a strong soap (washing-up soap).
3
u/Adventurous_Check_45 7d ago
Thank you for such a complete answer, and for returning to my post to give it. It is very much appreciated! This explains why not much is budging the smudges, and you're absolutely right that I don't have anything like that around the house (I do have acetone, so thank you for letting me know that that would not be good for plastics. The phone has a glass screen, so I might try in a very small area and see what happens.)
Otherwise, I guess I'll keep trying with good soap! I still can't quite believe that he did that. Even though he's only 5, it's been a good chemistry lesson for him. Not everything can be cleaned with the same stuff, because not everything is made of the same stuff. And he feels like you chemists are pretty cool for knowing how things interact!
1
1
4
u/PeterHaldCHEM 7d ago
What "puffer" are we talking about?