What are the effects of breathing in sulfuric acid?

Question

My husband bought a drain cleaner called Liquid Fire that is a concentrated form of sulfuric acid. He said we would probably have to wait until the kids were out of the house. I asked him if it was because it smelled bad, and he said "Yeah.". I told him we should at least wait until the kids went to bed. So the kids are in bed, and he used it. The whole front prtion of our house smells like this stuff. This was an hour ago. At the moment I am dizzy from breathing it and feel like I am going to vomit. I read the label and it says nothing about any harmful effects of breathing the fumes, only skin contact and eye contact, and swallowing. So what's going on? Is it really safe to be breathing this? Anyone know anything about sulfuric acid?

I know this is the wrong category, but I asked this under health, and I'm not getting any answers. I decided to stick to my main crowd.

Answer 1

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Sulfuric acid is not very volatile, and therefore workplace exposures are primarily to mists or aerosols. Sulfuric acid is corrosive and can cause severe irritation or corrosive damage if inhaled. The degree and severity of respiratory effects are influenced by factors such as the physical state and particle size of the aerosol, deposition site, concentration and humidity. Sulfuric acid can cause severe lung damage with a life-threatening accumulation of fluid (pulmonary edema). The symptoms of pulmonary edema include coughing and shortness of breath and can be delayed until hours or days after the exposure. These symptoms are aggravated by physical exertion. Long term lung damage may result from a severe short term exposure.

Human volunteers exposed for 5-15 minutes noticed no odour, or irritation below 1 mg/m3. Everyone noticed the exposure at 3 mg/m3 and at 5 mg/m3 some people found it objectionable. A deep breath usually produced coughing and there were respiratory changes. Tolerance to sulfuric acid can occur. In another study, volunteers with high exposures (39 mg/m3 dry mist and 21 mg/m3 wet mist) for 1/2-1 hour experienced severe symptoms of irritation of the upper airways and signs of bronchial obstruction. These symptoms persisted for several days in two volunteers. A worker, overcome by sulfuric acid fumes while working in a closed space, experienced injury to the upper airways, and fluid accumulation and bleeding in the lungs. At a 6-week follow-up, most lung function tests were normal. Asthma can be aggravated by exposure to sulfuric acid.

Answer 2

Sulfuric Acid Poisoning

Answer 3

Sulfuric Acid Fumes

Answer 4

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Breathing in sulfuric acid can cause minor respiratory problems, but the acid's gas particles may cause tooth erosion. You should keep your children far away from the area you used it because children have a higher sensitivity to sulfuric acid. Children breathe in more air a day than adults because they have smaller airways. I suggest you open ALL the windows and doors.

Answer 5

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RE:
What are the effects of breathing in sulfuric acid?
My husband bought a drain cleaner called Liquid Fire that is a concentrated form of sulfuric acid. He said we would probably have to wait until the kids were out of the house. I asked him if it was because it smelled bad, and he said "Yeah.". I told him we should at least wait until the...

Answer 6

I feel for you. I sell chemicals and did a demonstration for customer with sulfuric acid. The next evening I had difficulty talking and swallowing. The morning after I had laryngitis and my throat felt like it was burning and on fire. 6 days after and two visits one to primary dr and one to Urgent care still in severe pain and my throat is literally RAW. Chloraseptic did absolutely nothing for numbness and sucking on cough drops like candy do nothing either. A doctor at Urgent Care gave me a script for a mouthwash called Magic Mouthwash just earlier today. Seems there isn't anything they can do right now. I guess I have to wait to see if I vomit or cough up blood. I am giving it a couple more days then going to ER.

Please be careful with Sulfuric Acid. I got a drop on my stockings and ate right through it in seconds.

Answer 7

From experience, the fumes are a result of reaction with the aluminum around the sink opening, you'll probably find it has been etched pretty bad. The fumes will clear out with open windows and doors fairly soon. You might have some irritation from breathing the fumes, but as long as you listened to your body and got out of the area you'll be okay. I know this because I just wrecked our sink with basically the same stuff last week. Live and learn.

Answer 8

I think you should close the kids rooms off and crack their windows a little. If you're in a cold climate do this and turn the heat up to compensate. I'm sure the fumes aren't good to breathe. Also try and vent the place where the sink is. Some people have an internal "fuse" for bad chemicals and your nausea is a good indicator that your body doens't like chemical exposure. listen to your body and vent your sink as well as your kids rooms. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 9

I breathed some to night..even if it was for a shorttime..i still felt some effect of it....i started coughing and did throw up a little....i am worried as to what it might do to me.....i still feel my throats dry..so i been drinking alot water...but i dont know if it will do any good... i feel a slight headache.....and numbness.....i do feel a little pain in my chest....

Answer 10

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