Phosphoric acid: Health effects
Description
Phosphoric acid can severely affect human health through the inhalation of mist, ingestion and contact with skin and eyes. Eye contact can cause redness, pain, tearing, eyelid spasms, blurred vision and permanent damage. Phosphoric acid can attack the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and oesophagus, leading to immediate pain and difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia). Other symptoms of phosphoric acid poisoning include a sour acrid taste, coughing, difficult breathing, conjunctivitis, severe gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, severe abdominal pains, extreme thirst, convulsion, shock and even death through choking (asphyxia). Higher phosphoric acid levels can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema) which may result in death. It can cause circulatory collapse with clammy skin, weak and rapid pulse, shallow respiration and scanty urine. Repeated exposure to phosphoric acid can cause bronchitis with cough, phlegm and/or shortness of breath. Long-term skin exposure to the liquid may cause dermatitis. People at special risk of exposure to phosphoric acid include those with chronic pulmonary disease or skin disease.
Entering the body
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.
Exposure
Occupational exposure to concentrated levels of phosphoric acid may occur in industries manufacturing and using phosphoric acid. The general public may be exposed to small quantities of phosphoric acid in the consumption of food and soft drinks and by using some cleaning agents.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia has set the exposure standard for phosphoric acid to 1 milligram/m3 (TWA). The short-term exposure level (STEL) is 3 milligram/m3.
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