I was cleaning out a chemical storage closet at work. A hydrogen chloride container leaked out onto some iodine containers. I picked one up (bare handed) and sat it down in the grass. About thirty seconds later, I noticed the steam boiling up from around the bottom of the container. This is about 45 seconds worth of contact.

    • AlexanderESmith
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      105 months ago

      I can’t let this interrobang go unmentioned/unappreciated. Good to see you, old friend…

    • @BreadOven
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      15 months ago

      Depends on the concentration, but usually not something you want on yourself.

      • Hellfire103
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        25 months ago

        I know. I’ve worked with it myself, and I once accidentally inhaled a small volume of it.

        A-Level chemistry, innit.

        • @BreadOven
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          13 months ago

          Everyone’s done it at some point. That’s how you know not to do it again haha.

          • Hellfire103
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            13 months ago

            Yeah, but it would have been nice for my teacher to say that the reaction produces HCl gas BEFORE telling everyone to perform it.

            • @BreadOven
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              13 months ago

              Yeah. That’s their fault. Definitely should have said something.

                • @BreadOven
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                  13 months ago

                  So apparently if I hit reply in my inbox to the deleted comment, it shows the full comment, not just the preview. I will not post it obviously, just kind of interesting I can still view it all.

                  But as a chemist (sadly not in the lab anymore, all computer stuff) some of that stuff seems pretty scary. Although I hope you were not the teacher. Also if it wasn’t you, that teacher does not know how to teach.

                  In grad school you’re not taught how to teach, but have to teach students, and I would never have let any of this come close to happening (or at least make it fully known “do not inhale concentrated acid”). Also I know it was probably years ago, but now if someone doesn’t wear the correct PPE, they’re kicked out.