severe bronchial irritation. If your skin is exposed to a corrosive, flush the exposed area with water for at least fifteen minutes. Then seek medical treatment. Strong acids All concentrated acids can damage the skin and eyes, and their burns are very painful. Nitric, chromic, and hydrofluoric acids are especially damaging because of the types of burns they inflict. Seek immediate medical treatment if you have been contaminated with these materials (particularly hydrofluoric acid). Strong alkalis The common strong bases used in the labs include potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and ammonia. Burns from these materials are often less painful than acids. However, damage may be more severe than acid burns because the injured person, feeling little pain, often does not take immediate action and the material is allowed to penetrate into the tissue. Ammonia is a severe bronchial irritant and should always be used in a well-ventilated area, if possible in a hood. Dehydrating agents This group of chemicals includes concentrated sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, phosphorus pentoxide, and calcium oxide. These chemicals have a powerful affinity for water. When skin is exposed to these chemicals, serious burns may result. A large amount of heat is produced when mixing these substances with water; mixing should always be done by adding the agent to water, and not the reverse. Oxidizing agents In addition to their corrosive properties, powerful oxidizing agents such as Perchloric and Chromic Acids (sometimes used as cleaning solutions) present fire and explosion hazards on contact with organic compounds and other oxidizable substances. The hazards associated with the use of Perchloric acid are especially severe. It should be handled only after thorough familiarization with recommended operating procedures. Special Handling Procedures Corrosive chemicals should be used in the chemical fume hood, or over plastic trays when handled in bulk quantities (> 1 liter) and when dispensing. When working with corrosives, wear gloves, goggles, long sleeved lab coat and
severe bronchial irritation. If your skin is exposed to a corrosive, flush the exposed area with water for at least fifteen minutes. Then seek medical treatment. Strong acids All concentrated acids can damage the skin and eyes, and their burns are very painful. Nitric, chromic, and hydrofluoric acids are especially damaging because of the types of burns they inflict. Seek immediate medical treatment if you have been contaminated with these materials (particularly hydrofluoric acid). Strong alkalis The common strong bases used in the labs include potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and ammonia. Burns from these materials are often less painful than acids. However, damage may be more severe than acid burns because the injured person, feeling little pain, often does not take immediate action and the material is allowed to penetrate into the tissue. Ammonia is a severe bronchial irritant and should always be used in a well-ventilated area, if possible in a hood. Dehydrating agents This group of chemicals includes concentrated sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, phosphorus pentoxide, and calcium oxide. These chemicals have a powerful affinity for water. When skin is exposed to these chemicals, serious burns may result. A large amount of heat is produced when mixing these substances with water; mixing should always be done by adding the agent to water, and not the reverse. Oxidizing agents In addition to their corrosive properties, powerful oxidizing agents such as Perchloric and Chromic Acids (sometimes used as cleaning solutions) present fire and explosion hazards on contact with organic compounds and other oxidizable substances. The hazards associated with the use of Perchloric acid are especially severe. It should be handled only after thorough familiarization with recommended operating procedures. Special Handling Procedures Corrosive chemicals should be used in the chemical fume hood, or over plastic trays when handled in bulk quantities (> 1 liter) and when dispensing. When working with corrosives, wear gloves, goggles, long sleeved lab coat and
CHP-10-23-2015.docx