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Hydrochloric acid is a clear, poisonous liquid. It is highly corrosive, which means it immediately causes severe damage, such as burning, on contact.

This article discusses poisoning due to swallowing or breathing in hydrochloric acid.

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.

Historically called muriatic acid or spirits of salt, hydrochloric acid was produced from vitriol and common salt. During the Middle Ages, it was used by alchemists in the quest for the philosopher’s stone, and later by European scientists including Glauber, Priestley, and Davy in their scientific research.

With major production starting in the Industrial Revolution, hydrochloric acid is used in the chemical industry as a chemical reagent in the large-scale production of vinyl chloride for PVC plastic, and MDI/TDI for polyurethane. It has numerous smaller-scale applications, including household cleaning, production of gelatin and other food additives, descaling, and leather processing. About 20 million metric tonnes of hydrochloric acid are produced annually.

Poisonous Ingredient

Hydrochloric acid

Where Found

It is found in some soldering fluxes. It may also be found in other products.

Symptoms

Symptoms from swallowing hydrochloric acid may include:

• Abdominal pain - severe
• Breathing difficulty due to swelling of throat
• Chest pain – severe
• Drooling
• Fever
• Mouth pain – severe
• Rapid drop in blood pressure
• Throat pain - severe
• Vomiting blood

Symptoms from breathing in hydrochloric acid:

• Bluish color to lips and fingernails
• Chest tightness
• Choking
• Coughing
• Coughing up blood
• Dizziness
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid pulse
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.

If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her to fresh air.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient’s age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• When it was swallowed or inhaled
• How much was swallowed or inhaled

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient’s vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

• Fluids by IV
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Endoscopy — camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
• Oxygen
• Breathing tube
• Bronchoscopy — camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs

Prognosis

How well a patient does depend on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received? The faster a patient gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. Drinking or breathing in hydrochloric acid may be deadly.

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