HYDROCHLORIC ACID
By K Bindhu Madhavi
INTRODUCTION:
It is also known as Muriatic Acid, Spirits of Salts.
CHEMICAL FORMULA:
HCL
USES:
Hydrochloric acid is chiefly used in industry for preparing chlorine, for dissolving metals and for
medicinal purposes. It has been sometimes used for erasing writing in attempts at forgery.
Hydrochloric acid is widely used in various industries, such as steel production, food processing,
and pharmaceuticals. It is used to remove rust and scale from steel, regulate pH levels in food
processing. And as a reagent in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Hydrochloric acid is also used in
the production of chlorine and fertilizers.
ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION:
Ingestion and contact
MECHANISM OF ACTION :
An exothermic chemical reaction occurs when a mineral acid comes in to contact with moist
skin. The heat liberated together with the corrosion causes coagulation necrosis. This crust may
prevent further penetration of the acid. It has no remote actions, all of its actions are local.
PROPERTIES:
Pure hydrochloric acid is a colourless gas, having a specific gravity of 1.259 and an intensely
irritating odour. It is extremely soluble in water, one volume of this liquid dissolving 480
volumes of the gas at 0°C (32°F). The acid of commerce, which is generally known as muriatic
acid or spirits of salts, is a solution of this gas in water, having a yellow colour, fuming strongly
in damp air, and yielding dense white vapours with ammonia. The acid of the British
Pharmacopoeia is a colourless fuming liquid, containing not less than 35 per cent and not more
than 38 per cent of hydrochloric acid by weight.
SPECIAL SYMPTOMS :
1. It Is less active than the other two acids. Hence, the symptoms produced by it are milder. It
does not stain the skin or mucous membrane, but stains darkclothes reddish-brown, Salivation,
consult some cases and paralysis of limbs have occurred as special symptoms in some cases.
2. The fumes of acid when inhaled ,caused great irritation of air passages and glottic
spasm.Those who are constantly exposed to fumes of this gas suffer from chronic poisoning.
3. It is characterized by coryza , conjunctivitis, corneal ulcer, pharyngitis, laryngitis,and
bronchitis.
4. It also causes nausea , vomiting and epigastric pain and produces inflammation of gums and
lossening of teeth.
FATAL DOSE :15- 20 ml
FATAL PERIOD: The usual fatal period is from eighteen to thirty hours.
POST MORTEM APPERANCE:
1. The mucous membranes acted on by the acid are usually ash-grey or black in colour
interspersed with erosions.
2. The stomach wall is red owing to acute gastritis, sometimes its mucosa is brownish leathery
due to formation of acid hematin and firm.
3. Perforation, though rare, was found to an extent of 18 mm in diameter in the
greatercurvature of the stomach .
4. There was also an ulcer, 10 mm in size, in the lesser curvature,with brown-back edges and red
under surface.
5. In case the vapours are inhaled, there occurs congestion of respiratory tract with congestion
and edema of the lungs.
TREATMENT:
1. Gastric lavage and emetics are contraindicated.
2. The acid should be immediately neutralised or diluted in situ by giving one fourth litre of
water or milk or milk of magnesia or lime water or soap suds or aluminium hydroxide gel if
patient is seen with in 30 min of ingestion.
3. Alkaline carbonates and bicarbonates which liberate carbon dioxide are contraindicated since
they cause gastric distension and sometimes rupture.
4. Give a demulcent: olive oil, milk, egg whites, starch water, mineral oil, melted butter.
5. Prednisolone 60 mg, day may be given in divided doses to prevent oseophageal stricture and
counter shock.
6. Tracheostomy if there is glottic oedema.
7. Give nothing by mouth.
8. skin burns are washed with large amount of water and a paste of magnesium oxide or sodium
bicarbonate is applied.
9. Eye burns are irrigated with water or sodium bicarbonate solution for 10-15mintues. A
suspended i.v bag that administers low pressure irrigation is ideal.
MEDICO LEGAL ASPECTS:
1. Accidental and sucidial cases are common but homicidal are rare.
2. Accute Exposure to Vapors in Industry death due to Respiratory distress.
3. Prolonged Exposure to vapors in industry, Death due to respiratory complications.
4. In fatal Cases of Poisoning, No trace of poison may be discoverable in the viscera especially if
the victim had survived for Couple of days or more.
