RIP Johnny the chemist

[BUBBASAURUS_RAEP]

Johnny was a chemist,
but Johnny is no more.....
For what he thought was H2O was HClO4!



 





Srsly folks, sulfuric acid can be deadly but if you swallow it but manage to call 911 and have the ambulance arrive in under and hour they bring along a portable stomach pump you actually can survive. But perchloric acid(HClO4) is not only as strong of an acid as Sulfuric acid(H2SO4), but the perchlorate anion is one of the most powerful oxidizers known to chemistry and swallowing perchloric acid will dissolve your stomach so rapidly and with such energy that it just might EXPLODE! By the time the paramedics get there they probably won't be able to save you from the massive internal bleeding. 

[Jack]

[Lestat]

Conc. perchloric is bloody scary stuff, at least when its past 60-75%, then it has to be handled with the greatest respect.

Not only a very strong mineral acid, and oxidizer. Also, if it contacts organic materials such as labcoats, wooden bench tops, etc. it can form shock, and friction-sensitive explosive materials, that can come out to bite the chemist later. Also, its a bugger for fume hoods, as it can build up explosive organic perchlorate derivatives inside the ductwork that goes off later.

I have a big bloody burn scar on one hand, from picking up some glassware that had conc. HClO4 wetting the outside. That was years ago but the scar covers about 2/3 to 3/4th of my hand still.