What are the dangers of hydrochloric acid?

Saskatoon firefighters responded to the scene of a hydrochloric acid spill this morning. The spill took place in the 800 block of 50th Street. 

Hydrochloric acid is a clear liquid, poisonous and highly corrosive.

• Hazmat unit rushes to Saskatoon industrial site after acid spill

Symptoms from swallowing include:

    • Severe pain in abdomen, chest, mouth or throat
    • Breathing difficulty from throat swelling
    • Drooling
    • Fever
    • Rapid drop in blood pressure
    • Vomiting blood

    Symptoms from breathing it include:

    • Chest tightness, choking, coughing, coughing up blood
    •Dizziness, low blood pressure
    • Rapid pulse
    • Shortness of breath
    • Weakness

    Symptoms from contact with skin or eyes:

    • Blisters or burns, pain, vision loss

Source: U.S. National Institutes of Health