2006-08-17 20:38:34 · 3 answers · asked by isor 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
No, it isn't toxic as such, however it is extremely acidic.
Toxic means that substance kills without causing overt physical damage. That is not the case for HCl. HCl kills when swallowed because its acid nature causes chemical burns to the throat. IOW the cause of death is direct and overt physical damage. Ergo HCl is not toxic. HCl kills in exactly the same way that boiling water kills, and boiling water certainly isn't toxic.
Added to that the body produces about a litre of HCl every day. Your stomach is bathed in HCl acid almost constantly, and in very high concentrations following meals. Obviously something that your body produces in large quantities naturally can't be considered toxic.
2006-08-17 20:51:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hydrochloric Acid Toxicity
2016-10-30 08:24:54 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Toxic in this question is used as an adjective. If we are to find meanings for the word "toxic" as an adjective, we would obtain the folloring two definitions: (1) involving something poisonous: relating to or containing a poison or toxin; and (2) deadly: causing serious harm or death.
Using this definition, then I would have to say that HCl (hydrochloric acid) is toxic only if it's in concentrated forms. In very diluted solutions, I don't think HCl is capable of dealing any harm to our body. But in higher concentrations, hydrocloric acid can cause your skin to burn and penetrate through your bones. Even fumes of highly concentrated hydrochloric acid is dangerous because is tends to rupture and damage the lungs. This is the reason why highly concentrated acids are usually placed in the "hood" for laboratory classes.
As for my final answer, yes HCl is toxic (i.e. it is deadly: can cause harm or even death) in certain concentration levels.
Hope this helps. =)
2006-08-18 04:23:32 · answer #3 · answered by Aris 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes HCL is toxic if it isn't deluted. In fact it is the same acid in your stomach. stomach secrets HCL to crack the bread, meat, fat...so on. but the HCL you buy from market is more concantrated. In the stomach ph(Hcl) is around 2-3. but the concantrated one is more.
it may damage stomach wall (if drunk). demolishes the cells. that's why it is toxic
please please remember this. never never mix hipocloric acid -generally used as a cleaner- with HCL. That is very very dangerous. You may be suffocated. If inhalate a few second more, it kills you !!!
note that: in experiments, laborants use HCL diluted (generally).
If you use HCL wrong it is toxic.
2006-08-18 08:59:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is Hydrochloric Acid toxic? are you kidding?
small amounts are tolerable very small amounts.
pure, it's deadly
2006-08-17 20:46:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's a strong acid and will eat your flesh and really mess up your system if ingested
2006-08-18 06:41:08 · answer #6 · answered by shiara_blade 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its vapour damages lungs.
2006-08-18 00:31:58 · answer #7 · answered by red 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes yes...very.. small amt is ok... bt evn if its vapours r inhaled its very dangerous!!!n dnt 4get its highly acidic
2006-08-18 06:09:35 · answer #8 · answered by ani 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
more acidic i guess...
but don't you know that when it touches your skin
your flesh would probably burn!!!
=p
2006-08-18 01:32:02 · answer #9 · answered by bee m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm
2014-09-23 02:03:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋