Hydrogen chloride/ hydrochloric acid: health effects, incident management and toxicology

Hydrogen chloride/ hydrochloric acid is a commonly used in laboratories. The U.K. government has recently updated safety information relating to use of the chemical.

Key points from the review are:

• hydrogen chloride is a colourless or slightly yellow gas
• hydrogen chloride gas dissolves readily in water to give hydrochloric acid
• it has many industrial uses, is found in consumer products and may be used in swimming pools to alter the pH
• low levels of naturally occurring hydrogen chloride may occur in the air, however most is removed by the rain; it is also produced by some human activities
• hydrogen chloride is highly irritating and corrosive breathing hydrogen chloride for a short period of time can cause irritation to the nose and throat, causing coughing and shortness of breath
• higher concentrations can also cause headache, fever wheeze, a rapid heart rate and confusion; in serious cases the airways and lungs may be damaged
• hydrogen chloride gas can form hydrochloric acid on the skin which is highly irritating and corrosive
• hydrochloric acid solutions are highly corrosive and can cause skin burns on contact; they may also damage the eyes
• drinking hydrochloric acid will burn the mouth, throat and stomach

Further information can be found here.

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle