Why is concentrated sulfuric acid dangerous

Check out our complete sulfuric acid storage guide. Through a combination of innovative features, Poly Processing overcomes the storage challenges of sulfuric acid with an ideal storage system that contains these features:.

Along with containing the chemical from its surrounding environment, this double-walled tank greatly lowers the risk for hazardous contact of sulfuric acid with water and other materials. These tank systems are built based on the concentration of the acid. Topics: Chemicals. What is Sulfuric Acid? Because it is an aggressive oxidizer, safeguards are required to prevent polyethylene tanks from becoming brittle and cracking, which could result in leaks or failure of the storage tank.

Molecular Weight. With a molecular weight of This acid displays different properties depending upon the concentration being used. Storage Tank Recommendations for Sulfuric Acid Through a combination of innovative features, Poly Processing overcomes the storage challenges of sulfuric acid with an ideal storage system that contains these features: Antioxidant System. Cross-linked polyethylene tanks. Workers may be harmed from exposure to sulfuric acid. The level of exposure depends on dose, duration, and type of work being done.

Sulfuric acid is used in many industries. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to sulfuric acid include the following:. If you work in an industry that uses sulfuric acid, read chemical labels and the accompanying Safety Data Sheet for hazard information. The following resources provide information about occupational exposure to sulfuric acid. Search the HHE database for more information on chemical topics. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.

Highly Reactive. Incompatible with many common chemicals. Reacts violently with water. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Strong inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid are carcinogenic.

Sulfuric acid Group 1 - Carcinogenic to humans. Sulfuric acid A2 - Suspected human carcinogen. Inhalation: Take precautions to ensure your own safety before attempting rescue e. Move victim to fresh air. Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. If breathing is difficult, trained personnel should administer emergency oxygen. DO NOT allow victim to move about unnecessarily. Symptoms of pulmonary edema may be delayed. Immediately call a Poison Centre or doctor.

Treatment is urgently required. Transport to a hospital. Skin Contact: Avoid direct contact. Wear chemical protective clothing if necessary. Quickly take off contaminated clothing, shoes and leather goods e. Quickly and gently blot or brush away excess chemical. Immediately flush with lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 30 minutes. If it can be done safely, continue flushing during transport to hospital.

Double bag, seal, label and leave contaminated clothing, shoes and leather goods at the scene for safe disposal. Eye Contact: Avoid direct contact. Wear chemical protective gloves if necessary. Quickly and gently blot or brush chemical off the face. Immediately flush the contaminated eye s with lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 30 minutes, while holding the eyelid s open.

Neutral saline solution may be used as soon as it is available. If necessary, continue flushing during transport to hospital. Take care not to rinse contaminated water into the unaffected eye or onto the face. Ingestion: Have victim rinse mouth with water. If vomiting occurs naturally, have victim lean forward to reduce risk of aspiration. Have victim rinse mouth with water again. First Aid Comments: Some of the first aid procedures recommended here require advanced first aid training.

All first aid procedures should be periodically reviewed by a doctor familiar with the chemical and its conditions of use in the workplace. Suitable Extinguishing Media: Not combustible. Use extinguishing agent suitable for surrounding fire. ONLY Use water to keep non-leaking, fire-exposed containers cool. Specific Hazards Arising from the Chemical: Contact with water causes violent frothing and spattering.

Reacts with metals to produce highly flammable hydrogen gas. Closed containers may rupture violently when heated releasing contents. In a fire, the following hazardous materials may be generated: corrosive sulfur oxides.