Hydrogen Chloride (aka chlorane) is a colorless gas with a sharp, pungent odor. The compound fumes strongly in moist air. It is used in the production of fertilizers, dyes, in electroplating, and in the photographic, textile, and rubber industries.
HCl is used in the manufacture of organic compounds such as dichloroethane and vinyl chloride, which are used to produce PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It is used to effectively regulate the pH of a wide variety of manufacturing processes, including the production of drinking water (and swimming pool purification), foods, and pharmaceuticals.
Hydrogen Chloride (HCl) gas is irritating and corrosive to any tissue it contacts. Brief exposure to low levels causes throat irritation. Exposure to higher levels can result in rapid breathing, narrowing of the bronchioles, blue coloring of the skin, accumulation of fluid in the lungs, and even death. Some people may develop an inflammatory reaction to Hydrogen Chloride. This condition is called reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), a type of asthma caused by some irritating or corrosive substances.
Depending on the concentration, HCl can produce mild irritation to severe burns of the eyes and skin. Long-term exposure to low levels can cause respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation, and discoloration of the teeth. Other effects of exposure include shock, circulatory collapse, metabolic acidosis, and respiratory depression.
The professional Hydrogen Chloride HCl gas detector by Gas Dog is the best in its class, with many advanced features. This portable Chloride gas detector offers simple personal protection for a wide array of toxic gas and Oxygen measurement applications. The HCl gas monitors have a large LCD providing maximum readability in the field and are made with red LEDs, allowing for quick alarm notification. Constructed of a strong and durable material, the HCl gas detector is designed to be comfortable, yet drop-resistant. Advanced features such as temperature detection, alarm recording, alarm setting, backlight high-resolution LCD, calibration features, and others are included.