How to treat hydrochloric acid burns

We all know that hydrochloric acid is a chemical molecule and it is often studied in high school chemistry. Hydrochloric acid can participate in many chemical reactions. In fact, hydrochloric acid also exists in our body. Gastric juice contains low concentrations of hydrochloric acid, which can help us digest and create an acidic environment for the stomach. High concentrations of hydrochloric acid are corrosive and must be used with caution. If you are accidentally burned by hydrochloric acid, you must treat it immediately.

Hydrochloric acid: It is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride, also known as hydrochloric acid. It is a monobasic inorganic strong acid with a wide range of industrial uses. Hydrochloric acid is a colorless, transparent liquid with a strong pungent odor and is highly corrosive. Concentrated hydrochloric acid (mass fraction is about 37%) is extremely volatile. Therefore, when the container containing concentrated hydrochloric acid is opened, the hydrogen chloride gas will evaporate and combine with water vapor in the air to produce small droplets of hydrochloric acid, causing acid mist to appear above the bottle mouth. Hydrochloric acid is the main component of gastric acid, which can promote food digestion and resist microbial infection.

Health hazards

Concentrated hydrochloric acid (fuming hydrochloric acid) will evaporate and emit acid mist. Both hydrochloric acid itself and the acid mist will corrode human tissue and may cause irreversible damage to the respiratory organs, eyes, skin, gastrointestinal tract, etc. When hydrochloric acid is mixed with an oxidizing agent (such as bleaching agents such as sodium hypochlorite or potassium permanganate), toxic chlorine gas is produced.

First aid measures

Skin contact: Take off contaminated clothing immediately, rinse with plenty of running water for at least 15 minutes, apply weak alkaline substances (such as alkaline water, soapy water, etc.), and seek medical attention.

Eye contact: Immediately lift the eyelids and rinse thoroughly with plenty of running water or saline for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.

Inhalation: Move quickly away from the scene to fresh air. Keep the airways open. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. If breathing stops, perform artificial respiration immediately. Seek medical attention.

Ingestion: rinse mouth with plenty of water, swallow a large amount of raw egg white or milk (do not take baking soda or other medicines), and seek medical attention.

Operational matters

When using hydrochloric acid, personal protective equipment should be worn. Such as rubber gloves or polyvinyl chloride gloves, goggles, chemical-resistant clothing and shoes, etc. to reduce the risk of direct contact with hydrochloric acid. Operate in a closed environment and pay attention to ventilation. The operation should be mechanized and automated as much as possible. Operators must undergo special training and strictly abide by operating procedures.

It is recommended that operators wear self-priming filtering gas masks (full-face masks), rubber acid-resistant and alkali-resistant suits, and rubber acid-resistant and alkali-resistant gloves. Keep away from flammable and combustible materials. Prevent vapors from escaping into the workplace air. Avoid contact with alkalis, amines and alkaline metals. Be careful when loading and unloading to prevent damage to the packaging and containers. Equipped with leakage emergency treatment equipment. Empty containers may contain hazardous residues. [31]