Iowa ADM Leak: Risks of exposure to hydrochloric acid.
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Yesterday we reported on a chemical or gas leak at the Cedar Rapids ADM plant. Today we’ll provide more information about the effects of exposure to hydrochloric acid and sulfur dioxide. Workers should protect themselves from exposure to either chemical and homeowner need to be aware of long term exposures.
Four contract workers were taken to area hospitals from the Archer Daniels Midland plant after inhaling some type of gas this morning, Feb. 18, 2009, in Cedar Rapids. Life threatening problems were reported for at least one worker.
Hydrochloric acid is the solution of hydrogen chloride (HCl) in water. It is a highly corrosive, strong mineral acid and has major industrial uses. It is found naturally in gastric acid.
Hydrogen Chloride
What are hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid?
Hydrogen chloride is a colorless to slightly yellow gas with a sharp, irritating odor. It forms a dense white vapor when it comes in contact with air. When hydrogen chloride dissolves in water, it forms hydrochloric acid also known as muriatic acid. Both hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid are corrosive and may cause burns on contact. Hydrogen chloride is not flammable.
What immediate health effects can be caused by exposure to these chemicals?
Hydrogen chloride gas can irritate the lungs, causing a cough and shortness of breath. Breathing high levels of the gas or vapor can lead to a build-up of fluid in the lungs, which may cause death. Because hydrochloric acid is corrosive, it can cause eye damage, even blindness, if splashed in the eyes. Skin contact can cause severe burns. Ingestion of concentrated hydrochloric acid can cause severe injury to the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach. Generally, the more serious the exposure, the more severe the symptoms.
Can hydrogen chloride or hydrochloric acid overexposure be treated?
There is no antidote for poisoning due to these substances, but their effects can be treated and most exposed persons get well. People who have had serious exposures may need to be hospitalized.
Are any future health effects likely to occur?
A single, small exposure from which a person recovers quickly is not likely to cause delayed or longterm effects. Patients who breath a large amount of hydrogen chloride may develop permanent lung injury. If hydrochloric acid was swallowed, a patient may permanently have trouble swallowing.
What tests can be done if a person has been exposed to hydrogen chloride?
Specific tests for the presence of hydrogen chloride in blood or urine generally are not useful to the doctor. If a severe exposure has occurred, blood and urine analyses and other tests may show whether the lungs or stomach has been injured. Testing is not needed in every case.
Where can more information about hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid be found?
More information about hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid can be obtained from your regional poison control center; your state, county, or local health department; the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR); your doctor; or a clinic in your area that specializes in occupational and environmental health. If the exposure happened at work, you may wish to discuss it with your employer, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Ask the person who gave you this form for help in locating these telephone numbers.
Acute Effects: Hydrochloric acid is corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure may cause coughing, hoarseness, inflammation and ulceration of the respiratory tract, chest pain, and pulmonary edema in humans. Acute oral exposure may cause corrosion of the mucous membranes, esophagus, and stomach, with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea reported. Dermal contact may produce severe burns, ulceration, and scarring.
* Pulmonary irritation, lesions of the upper respiratory tract, and laryngeal and pulmonary edema have been reported in rodents acutely exposed by inhalation.
* Acute animal tests, such as the LC50 and LD50 tests in rats, mice, and rabbits, have demonstrated hydrochloric acid to have moderate to high acute toxicity from inhalation and moderate acute toxicity from oral exposure.
Tomorrow I'll cover sulfur dioxide.