3.4.1 General Information
The major classes of corrosive chemicals are strong acids and bases, dehydrating agents and oxidizing agents. These chemicals can erode the skin and the respiratory epithelium and are particularly damaging to the eyes. Inhalation of vapors or mists of these substances can cause 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. (See Section 1.7.)
| Chemical Group | Description of Effects |
| 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 are 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 and phosphoric acid, and calcium oxide. Mixing these substances with water, mixing should always be done by adding the agent to water, and not the reverse, to avoid violent reaction and spattering. Because of their affinity for water, these substances cause severe burns on contact with skin. Affected areas should be washed promptly with large volumes of water. |
| 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 (see Section 3.2.) |
3.4.2 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 bulk quantities of corrosives wear gloves, face shields, laboratory coats and rubber aprons.
If you are handling bulk quantities on a regular basis an eyewash should be immediately available and a shower close by. Spill materials – absorbent pillows, neutral absorbent materials or neutralizing materials (all commercially available) should be available in the laboratory.
Store corrosives in cabinets, under the hood or on low shelves, preferably in impervious trays to separate them physically from other groups of chemicals. Keep containers not in use in storage areas and off bench tops.
If it is necessary to move bulk quantities from one laboratory to another or from the stockroom use a safety carrier (rubber bucket for secondary containment and protection of the container).