Dangers/Toxicity of inhaling muriatic acid fumes

A. Hi Mary. I feel for your situation, but if a trained and experienced doctor would never attempt to diagnose someone via an internet posting, the idea that strangers with no medical training can do so is silly. You have to get to a doctor ... it's really that simple.

Regards,

PS! I overlooked mentioning the most important aspect of my experience with inhaling the hydrochloric acid over several days: by the time I understood what was happening, I decided to find a spa in my local area (where I am visiting) so I could use a sauna and sweat out the toxicity. I also sat in a Himalayan rock salt room - great for detoxing - the spa workers said. Then I had a massage and moved all those nasty toxins into the blood to be cleansed. So the moral of my story is: after getting poisoned - get it out asap! Detox, sauna, massage. It helped clear it all expediently and the next day I felt nearly normal again. No breathing probs, headaches, aches or weakness. It's very empowering ~ assisting ourselves in our own healing process! :-))

A. Hi Javier. Anything is possible ... on the one hand, it strikes me as entirely plausible that overexposure to HCl could precipitate such a problem; but on the other hand, plating shop workers often work with it day after day, year after year, for decades on end without any serious problems. The hospital can probably inform you better than strangers on the internet regarding what part, if any, hydrochloric acid may have played in your illness. If they won't, an industrial hygienist/physician may be able to help. If your suspicion, based on the totality of the situation is strong, you might consult a personal injury attorney. Feel better.

Regards,

A. I have worked with HCl acid while working at a galvanising plant. I can tell you that although our acid was diluted to about 16% it was still very sore on the lungs, and although I'm still only 31 I do have chest problems which I attribute to this. It's also worth mentioning that the doors inside that were closed to the acid had turned black with rot and the overhead cranes above the acid need weekly maintenance while the other one didn't need much more than the odd service

A. Other than being a strong irritant to eyes and nasal passages, there is little toxicity from HCl fumes. The OSHA TWA limit is 5 ppm, but most people would not tolerate 1 ppm in the air that they breathe.

A. Hi Teeka. I don't know exactly what you mean by "cleaning acid", but presume you mean muriatic acid. I would certainly suggest that you immediately dispose of the muriatic acid, and rinse the battery repeatedly before filling it with proper battery acid [affil links].

The lifetime of lead-acid batteries is only about 3 years; so if this is an old battery, I'd simply dispose of it. If it was a brand new battery I think I'd try to use it after replacing the acid.

Regards,

A. Hi Eric. My understanding is that the company is obligated to provide a safe working environment, and to employ engineering controls rather than personal protective equipment when feasible (in other words, an exhaust hood for the tank rather than a respirator for you). An exhaust hood is almost surely required.

The fumes probably require scrubbing before discharge, but that part doesn't personally affect you as a worker as long as they are exhausted from the workplace.

opinion! Workplaces have gotten progressively better with time, and personally I feel that we have reached the point where "the social contract" demands that workplaces be free of such fumes regardless of specific codes, rules, or laws.

There is an OSHA Hotline you can call if your relationship with management is too tenuous for you to suggest the exhaust hood though. Good luck.

Regards,

A. The human nose is very sensitive to HCl fumes and can detect < 1 ppm. OSHA limits are much higher than most people would tolerate. But, in addition to the human discomfort, the fumes are extremely corrosive to your plant and equipment, so exhaust is really needed.

A. Hi Matt. As we constantly remind readers, we're not doctors. But as Lyle tells us, just above, we're unlikely to voluntarily endure a level of HCl which is considered dangerous. Further, lots of swimming pool workers and plating shop employees have similar exposures every day without reporting headaches. I'm not suggesting that HCl is good for you, but a mundane single exposure sounds unlikely to give you a headache.

Regards,

A. My name if Frank Pierson and I have been a bricklayer for over 20 years. Being said that I have been in close proximity with this acid for many many years. Other than a pretty good sting when a drop or two goes in your eyes. And a slight burn when I dip my hand in the bucket to fill the cup up to splash on the wall before it gets scrubbed. I would have so say I'm not sure if some people are out for money or I'm sorry but I guess the word is unhealthy or weak. But I could believe all the comments I just read. Anyways here's living proof of the long term affects. Healthy as can be working 10 hour days 6 days a week.

A. Please inquire of a personal injury lawyer whether there are any grounds for further study. Sorry for your husband's condition and the scary situation; but if he smoked, that sounds like a much bigger risk factor for COPD than acid or chlorine. Hundreds of thousands of pool workers, galvanizers, and plating shop workers have been exposed to these chemicals for their whole lives and to my limited knowledge no strong link has been established; but again, personal injury lawyers would be more up to date on such statistics. Good luck.

Regards,