Corrosive Liquids are our toolbox topic today. Corrosive liquids mean to eat gradually. Some corrosives are quite fast. Corrosive liquids are dangerous for living beings. They can cause irritation or burns to tissues of the skin, eyes, and respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts which could well lead to death. This type of damage is known as a chemical burn.
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Corrosive liquids examples
Typical examples are hydrofluoric
acid (HF), hydrochloric acid (HCL), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), nitric acid (HNO3),
formic acid (CH2O2) and perchloric acid (HCLO4). These materials can damage
your containers and spread in the atmosphere of the storage area.
Some Corrosive Liquids are volatile and others react violently with moisture,
organic matter, or other chemicals. Acid vapours can corrode structural
materials and equipment and exert a toxic action on personnel. These types of
substances must be kept at a low temperature. The same area will not be used
for the simultaneous storage of nitric acid and sulfuric acid compounds.
Perchloric acid: Also, some corrosive substances may have other dangerous properties; For example, perchloric acid, in addition to being highly corrosive, is a powerful oxidizing agent capable of causing fires and explosions.
- It combines the corrosive properties of its two components, hydrochloric acid and nitric acid;
- A limited application of heat is enough to cause the formation of chlorine cyanide, a highly toxic gas.
· Sulfuric acid: Its formula is H2SO4 and it is one of the most elaborated products in the world since it is often used to obtain fertilizers or to synthesize acids, sulfates or even in the petrochemical industry.
Zinc Chloride: (ZnCl2) is a more or less white, crystalline
solid that is highly soluble in water and widely used in the textile industry
and as a catalyst in the laboratory.
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Boron trifluoride: Its formula is BF3 and it is a colourless
toxic gas that forms white clouds in the humid air. It is frequently used in
the laboratory as a Lewis acid and in obtaining other compounds with boron. It
is a very strong metal corrosive, which in the presence of moisture can corrode
stainless steel.
Sodium hydroxide: Caustic soda formula NaOH, is a highly
drying base that exists as odourless, crystalline white solids, the dissolution
of which in water or an acid generates large amounts of heat.
Phenol (carbolic acid): With the chemical formula C6H6O and
numerous alternative names, this compound in its pure form is a colourless or
white crystalline solid, which can be synthesized from the oxidation of
benzene. It is highly demanded in the resin industry, as well as in the
manufacture of nylon, but also as a component of fungicides, antiseptics and
disinfectants. It is easily flammable and corrosive.
What kind of hazard is corrosive?
The more you know about the effect of Corrosive Liquids, the easier it
will be to manage. It is impossible to predict everything that can happen,
unexpected conditions can always occur, but if you know how each substance acts
under different conditions, you can usually take the necessary precautions. In
an emergency, such as a fire or acid spill, this knowledge can mean the
difference between life and death.
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Most corrosive liquids are chemicals, either gaseous or solid, dissolved in water. For example, ammonia is dissolved in water. The gases should not be breathed, and some are very bad. In some cases, they can damage the lungs a lot, even without knowing it and the victim can die hours or days later.
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It is important, therefore, to remember that whenever you heat a corrosive, you are running a risk. Some corrosive liquids do not have to be heated to give off gases, all that is needed is to spill them. Most destroy metal. Therefore, they must be stored in bottles or glass jars.
For example, some of the strong acids like nitric acid will
eat away at the skin very quickly, especially if they are hot. Caustic soda or
caustic potassium is even faster. Some just burn skin, they don't destroy it, others
irritate but neither is good for the skin.
The greatest danger is to the eyes. A drop can ruin your
eyesight unless washed out immediately. Some may think that the expression
"skin eaters" is too strong to refer to corrosives, but we have not
thought of a more appropriate one. These substances are useful and needed and can
be used if handled safely.
PRECAUTIONS DURING HANDLING
- Avoid inhalation of Corrosive Liquids' vapours. The places where these products are handled must be respiratory protection provided with the appropriate filter.
- When handling these Corrosive Liquids, always use eye protection is recommended, as well as impervious clothing, boots, face shield and rubber gloves. Take into account that the legs of the pants must be worn over the boots, to prevent the entry of these products.
- Add the products slowly and carefully to the water to avoid splashing and spillage around. Keep containers and tanks containing caustic and corrosive products away from the sun and heat sources.
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CONDITIONS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT FOR SAFE HANDLING
- Do not store or consume food or drinks, or smoke in places where caustic and corrosive liquids are used.
- Avoid contact with the skin, as well as the impregnation of clothing with these products.
- When it is necessary to transfer them from their original container to a smaller one, use pumps or tippers and special canners and use appropriate containers, labelling them properly. Containers should always remain tightly closed.
- Avoid contact with alkali metals, as well as with antagonistic products (acids with alkalis and vice versa).
- In case of doubt, consult the safety data sheet of each particular product.
OSHA required safety
- Eyewash, safety shower as 29 CFR 1910.151(c)
- Safety data sheet
- Hazards assessment
Conclusion
It is important to always identify all corrosive substances
and label them accordingly. The supervisor will be responsible for instructing
workers on the safe handling of these substances. If the workers cooperate,
follow the instructions, and use the protective equipment -glasses, aprons,
rubber boots, or whatever is necessary- and the corresponding guards, they will
be able to work with the corrosives without running any risk.
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