Phosphoric acid is a colorless, odorless mineral acid. With an acidic taste and somewhat viscous consistency, phosphoric acid is used in a wide variety of products and industries. Despite its popularity, this chemical can pose some potentially Applications Phosphoric acid and should be handled with caution. Here are some uses and Hazards of phosphoric acid.
Phosphoric acid is used in several industries. Fertilizer accounts for the majority of phosphoric acid use, but this chemical can also be found in:
• Food additives (to acidify foods, or as a leavening agent)
• Soaps and detergents
• Water treatment
• Toothpastes
• Rust removal
• Cleaning products
Hazards of phosphoric acid included: Phosphoric acid can be very hazardous in the case of skin contact, eye contact, and ingestion. It can also cause irritation if vapors are inhaled. This chemical can cause damage to the skin, eyes, mouth, and respiratory tract. Because of the potential hazards of phosphoric acid posed by this chemical, it is important to use care when handling it. Repeated or prolonged exposure to phosphoric acid mist can lead to chronic eye irritation, severe skin irritation, or prolonged respiratory tract issues. To protect your health when handling this potentially hazardous chemical, it is important to use caution in the form of personal protective equipment (PPE). Making a solution of phosphoric acid more concentrated decreases its pH and make it more acidic. Concentrated phosphoric acid is acidic enough to be dangerous. According to the MSDS, concentrated phosphoric acid is highly corrosive and can cause serious injury if ingested, including severe burns in the mouth and throat. If brought in contact with your eyes, this solution can cause permanent eye damage, and skin contact may cause severe burns.
health hazards of phosphoric acid included:
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Phosphoric Acid:
• Contact can irritate and burn the eyes.
• Breathing Phosphoric Acid can irritate the nose and throat causing coughing and wheezing.
Other Long-Term Effects
• Phosphoric Acid can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath.
• Long-term exposure to the liquid may cause drying and cracking of the skin.
Phosphoric acid or orthophosphoric acid is a mineral acid which is broadly known for its uses. This acid is made up of three hydrogen atoms, one phosphorus atom, and four oxygen atoms. The chemical formula of this acid is H3PO4. It’s poisonous is totally depends upon the quantity you are going to use. In foods, phosphoric acid is used to acidify the foods and beverages such as colas. However, phosphoric acid is known to have an adverse on health. It has a tangy or sour taste. It is a low cost and easily available acid. It’s a common ingredient in soft drinks and still after decades of study, the FDA generally recognizes it as safe. A can of soda (355 mL) typically has only about 40 mg of phosphoric acid; the FDA daily recommended intake is 1,000 mg. 85 wt% phosphoric acid on the other hand (equivalent to 302 mg phosphoric acid in a can of soda) can cause damage to the liver, bone marrow, skin, and eyes.
There is a higher risk of death from all causes in people who ingest more than 1400mg of phosphorus per day. Phosphorus intake of 1400mg/day (which is twice the daily recommended intake of phosphorus) increased the risk of death from all causes. High phosphate intake has also been shown to be associated with heart disease. A comprehensive meta-analysis shows that high phosphorus intake is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in patients. This association holds true for patients with renal disease and for patients in the general population with normal renal function. There is no convincing evidence to support the fact that phosphoric acid decreases the absorption of nutrients in the body. There is evidence to support the claim that phosphoric acid damages the kidneys.
Summary: High phosphorus intake is associated with an overall increased risk of death and a higher risk of heart disease.
Phosphoric acid is an odorless, colorless chemical. In addition to its many applications in various industries, this substance also has risks for human health. Risks of phosphoric acid include:
• Excessive consumption of this substance can increase the risk of kidney disease.
• inhalation of phosphoric acid irritates the nose and throat.
• Phosphoric acid stimulates the lungs.
• Exposure to prolonged contact with this substance causes skin and eye irritation.