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boboclown
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can hydrochloric acid seriously injure say your hand if it hit it? serious burns or down to the bone?
Borek said:Highly concentrated is dangerous. I haven't seen anyone burned with lower concentrations - say 1M - although you should rinse your hands with water after contact.
I have sometimes spilled concentrated HCl on a hand, just little amounts, 1 or some ml; nothing happened at least in a few seconds...boboclown said:can hydrochloric acid seriously injure say your hand if it hit it? serious burns or down to the bone?
Riogho said:Experimental HCl that you usually use in labs, is relatively not dangerous, however don't get it on your clothes.
Yes, you're right, but we were addressing the question if it seriously injuries a hand if hits it. The answer is no.~christina~ said:What is your definition of, "Experimental HCl"? Concentrated HCl that I use in my lab IS dangerous, and I wouldn't get it on my hand.
As mentioned before any concentrated acid/base is hazardous, and precautions must be taken.
You shouldn't take such things lightly or you'll be a hazard to yourself and others in lab.
I have an even worse comparison. One night I was watching Doctor G. on the Discovery channel. She was doing an autopsy and noticed redness in the face. It turned out there had been vomit in the face that hadn't been wiped off, which caused a chemical burn.Borek said:Sorry about the disgusting comparison, but please remember that your stomach is full of 0.1M hydrochloric acid and that's what your skin comes in contact with when you vomit. And while you usually wash your skin after vomiting, such a spoilage is hardly dangerous.
Bottom point being - let's not ignore dangers, but let's not exaggerate either.
gravenewworld said:just don't be stupid. concentrated things like HCl, NaOH, and H2SO4 really aren't that bad.
things that give off pure acid gases like chlorsulfonic acid and phosphorous oxychloride are much worse.
Proton Soup said:i don't know what those second things are, but i agree with the first. when i was 16 or so and worked nights at the grocery store, our mop sink was regularly clogged. and i can't tell you how many cans of Red Devil Lye and Draino we dumped in that sink. and it still wouldn't flow. so now I've got to reach my arm in there and dig out mop fibers and stuff. never once did this injure me. but the time i tried cleaning a floor with ammonia and bleach... now that was stupid. that chlorine will mess you up good. but typical acid/base concentrations that most people are likely to be exposed to aren't that bad. may destroy your clothes, especially the sulphuric, but overall not that dangerous.
Commonest acids involved are hydrochloric, hydrofluoric and sulphuric
Acid burns may penetrate deeply down to bone
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong, corrosive chemical commonly used in industrial and laboratory settings. It is dangerous because it can cause severe burns and damage to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system upon contact.
Hydrochloric acid burns can occur through direct contact with the skin or eyes, inhalation of fumes or mist, or ingestion of the chemical. The severity of the burn depends on the concentration and amount of acid that comes into contact with the body.
Symptoms of a hydrochloric acid burn may include redness, swelling, and blistering of the affected area, as well as difficulty breathing, coughing, and throat pain if the acid was inhaled. In severe cases, there may be tissue damage and scarring.
If you or someone else has come into contact with hydrochloric acid, it is important to immediately rinse the affected area with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove any clothing or jewelry that may have been in contact with the acid. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The best way to prevent hydrochloric acid burns is to handle the chemical with extreme caution and always wear appropriate protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles, and a face mask. It is also important to follow proper safety protocols when handling and storing the chemical.