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Hydrochloric Acid: Solutions
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Hydrochloric acid is corrosive based on human and animal information and pH. In humans, dilute solutions (less than 4%) have caused mild to severe irritation. Solutions of 17% are corrosive in animals. Corrosive materials are capable of producing severe burns, blisters, ulcers and permanent scarring, depending on the concentration of the solution and the duration of contact. Any skin contact is likely to involve significant inhalation exposure. Skin absorption is not expected to occur to a significant extent, based on animal information.
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Hydrochloric acid is produced in solutions up to 38% HCl (concentrated grade). Higher concentrations up to just over 40% are chemically possible, but the evaporation rate is then so high that storage and handling need extra precautions, such as pressure and low temperature. Bulk industrial-grade is therefore 30% to 34%, optimized for effective transport and limited product loss by HCl vapors. Solutions for household purposes in the US, mostly cleaning, are typically 10% to 12%, with strong recommendations to dilute before use. In the United Kingdom where it is sold as "Spirits of Salt" for domestic cleaning, the potency is the same as the US industrial grade.
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Hydrochloric acid is corrosive depending on the concentration and can cause burns to the lips, tongue, throat and stomach; abdominal pain; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea and death. There have been many case reports of injury from accidental or intentional ingestion of hydrochloric acid. In many cases the quantity of acid ingested is not reported. Immediate effects include burning of the mouth throat and stomach followed by vomiting with loss of blood.(53) Difficulty swallowing and ulceration and narrowing of the esophagus are often seen following ingestion.(17) In one study, 21 patients had metabolic acidosis and severe corrosive damage to the upper digestive tract after drinking an average of 100 mL of 24-32% hydrochloric acid solutions. They were operated on immediately... 14/21 died.(57) Ingestion is not a typical route of occupational exposure.
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Hydrochloric acid is used both to remove rust, scale and undesirable carbonate deposits in oil wells to encourage the flow of crude oil or gas to the well. This use is called “stimulation”. Acidizing is generally done in carbonate or limestone formations by stimulation. An acid solution is injected into the formation, which dissolves a portion of the rock and creates a large pore structure in the formation, increasing its effective permeability and the flow of oil.
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The ordinary muriatic acid of trade is an aqueous solution of the acid vapor, having a specific gravity of about 1.20 and containing about 40 per cent by weight of dry hydrochloric acid vapor. It is impure, containing sulphuric acid, chlorine, iron chloride, arsenic, and, generally, lead and calcium chlorides. Its yellow color is partly due to organic matter, and sometimes to iron and free chlorine. To remove arsenic and sulphuric acid, the acid is diluted to 1.12 sp. gr., and barium sulphide is added; a pure hydrochloric acid vapor is then driven out by distillation and absorbed in pure water. 01' a solution of stannous chloride in concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to the crude acid, which latter must have a strength of at least 1.15 sp. gr. A brown precipitate of arsenic with some tin separates and is removed by decantation. Sulphuric acid alone is removed by adding barium chloride and redistilling.
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In high concentrations, hydrochloric acid can make acidic mists. Both the mist and the solution hurt human tissue. They are caustic, and can cause chemical burns. These can damage the eyes, the skin, the respiratory system, and other organs of the human body.
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