Breathing Hydrochloric Acid

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

We are having remodeling done to our condo and this evening my wife was looking in the kitchen and found a 20 lt container sitting there. Blue with no label, curious she removed the lid and smelled contents. The container contains hydrochloric acid for cleaning cement and other things.

She is experiencing some difficulty with her breathing, the clinic does not open for several hours. She is sleeping now, not sure how urgent it is to get her to Dr. Does anyone know what they do for this problem? Any info would be appreciated, have googled it but no real indication of the treatment if any.

[endure]

There's an article here but no mention of treatments:

http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/ch...rocha/cie13.htm

[sweetchariot]

I don't think there is a treatment, she has inhaled a few fumes and will be fine tomorrow. Don't panic Mr Mannerring!!!

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Thanks for the article endure. You are probably right sweetchariot, will see how she is doing when she wakes in the morning. Thanks to both of you.

[Nomad97]

I read the quoted link and found, at the end of the article, a list of treatments. For inhalation the treatment was:

Inhalation:

This chemical is very toxic. Take proper precautions to ensure your own safety before attempting rescue (e.g. wear appropriate protective equipment, use the buddy system). Remove source of contamination or move victim to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, trained personnel should administer emergency oxygen. DO NOT allow victim to move about unnecessarily. Symptoms of pulmonary edema can be delayed up to 48 hours after exposure. If breathing has stopped, trained personnel should begin artificial respiration (AR) or, if the heart has stopped, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or automated external defibrillation (AED) immediately. Avoid mouth-to-mouth contact by using mouth guards or shields. Quickly transport victim to an emergency care facility.

Hopefully, your wife did not inhale too much of the fumes and that the effects are minimal and short lasting. I sincerely hope she feels fine in the morning.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Nomad

She just woke up and seems a bit better this morning, we will give her a little while before deciding on going to the Dr. that hydrochloric acid is nasty stuff. Thanks for your concern.

[tavarich]

Nomad

She just woke up and seems a bit better this morning, we will give her a little while before deciding on going to the Dr. that hydrochloric acid is nasty stuff. Thanks for your concern.

I was a swimming pool contractor in the past. We used the stuff for scrubbing pools and etching concrete for painting them. I ran into clouds of it on several occaisions through the years. I never went to the doctor about it, but that is not the recommend procedure.

[Tammi]

Nomad

She just woke up and seems a bit better this morning, we will give her a little while before deciding on going to the Dr. that hydrochloric acid is nasty stuff. Thanks for your concern.

I was a swimming pool contractor in the past. We used the stuff for scrubbing pools and etching concrete for painting them. I ran into clouds of it on several occaisions through the years. I never went to the doctor about it, but that is not the recommend procedure.

I have, on several occasions, got mad as hel_l with condo management when I have found drums of hydrochloric acid not under lock and key. There have been cases of vandalism at the condo and a good way to cause more trouble to the property, vandals, and innocent children would be to open and do whatever with hydrochloric acid.

The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) can be found on the internet.

Edited February 3, 2008 by Tammi

[RPSGT]

I recall a news story in the past couple of years in the USA about some teenage vandals breaking into a pool chemical room. The removed the chemicals and doused a children's slide/swingset at the adjacent park. Children slid down the slide and were burned by the chemicals. It was something that should not have happened. Those pool chemicals definitely have to be kept in a secure place. You never know what criminals will do.

RPSGT

[bina]

as an (ex) safety and hygiene manager i can only recommend that anyone having trouble breathing after chemical exposure should get checked out; if there is still problems breathing, then oxygen mixures may be administered; also, follow up since chemical exposure in the lungs can cause chemical pneumonia; asthma and super sensitivities... but a GP probably wont do much; a lung doc is better (if its work related we send them straight to the specialists)...

the problem is that different chemicals cause different reactions in the lungs, and lung and bronchial membranes are sensitive and delicate and different people react differently....

also, not sure about the sueing aspects but in some countries, if there is medical problem due to negligence from the builder, then lawsuits follow, if u have the energy for it or its practical...

but a quick reminder: when opening up unknown substances (which u shouldnt be doing in the first place), DO NOT SNIFF!!!! USE YOUR HAND TO WAFT FUMES TOWARDS U but actually, WHEN IN DOUBT, DONT OPEN, DONT SNIFF, DONT TOUCH. GET RID OF IT . this is something to teach children and adults (thai husband has twice inhaled chlorine floor cleaners and calcium deposit removers which triggered his asthama, cause he refuses to DO WHAT I SAY.... )

we use the stuff in the glass factory, i am super sensitve and cant get near it or my airways react.....

bina