Chemical poisoning is the result of defective or improperly maintained equipment, or equipment that has been incorrectly used. Such poisons might include antimony from chipped gray enamelware, lead found in containers or soldering material, cadmium found in plating elements. All of the toxins found in these materials can cause illness in humans. Other chemical contamination can result from commercial cleaning compounds, silver polish, and insecticides.
To prevent chemical contamination,
- all food must be stored separately from cleaning or other chemically based materials;
- all containers must be properly labeled and washed or otherwise cleaned; and
- all equipment must be thoroughly rinsed in extremely hot water.