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Precautions when using chemicals for passivation [Singapore] 

July 24, 2008

I am working with a chemical tankers company. We intend to frame safety guidelines for our crew whilst carrying out passivation of tanks with stainless steel internal surfaces. Sincerly request if somebody can adivse me as what safety measures to set for the ship crew when handling chemicals like nitric acid and citric acid when carrying our passivation treatment of the stainless steel walls.
Best Regards,
Pradeep

Pradeep Naik
shipping - Singapore

Pradeep,
MSDSs for nitric and citric acid are easy to find with a google search. In general, with nitric acid you need to take every precaution. It will burn skin and has dangerous fumes. If you are going to send workers inside a tank to perform passivation with nitric there, they should have protective suits with respirators.
Citric acid is very safe, it will at the most cause minor irritation to skin, usually not even that, and does not produce fumes. Workers can manage citric safely with goggles and gloves.
Let us know if we can help.

Ray Kremer Stellar Solutions, Inc. Algonquin, IL, USA