What is Hydrochloric Acid?
The chemical compound hydrochloric acid (HCl) is the aqueous (water- based) solution of hydrogen chloride gas (HCl). It is a strong acid, the major component of gastric acid and of wide industrial use. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) must be handled with appropriate safety because it is a highly corrosive liquid. Hydrochloric acid (HCl), or muriatic acid by its historical but sometimes till used name, has been an important and frequently used chemical from early history when it was discovered by the alchemist Jabir Ibn Hayyan in around 800AD.
Hydrogen Chloride , also known as HCl, is a highly corrosive and toxic, colourless gas that forms white fumes on contact with humidity. These fumes consist of hydrochloric acid (HCl) which forms when hydrogen chloride (HCl) dissolves in water.
Hydrogen Chloride forms corrosive hydrochloric acid (HCl) on contact with body tissue. Inhalation of the fumes can cause coughing, choking, inflammation of the nose, throat and uper respiratory tract, and in severe cases, pulmonary edema, circulatory system failure and even death. Skin contact can cause redness, pain and severe burns. Hydrogen Chloride may cause severe burns to the eye and even permanent eye damage.