Chemical hazards with perchloric acid

Reactivity. Chemicals that react violently with air or water are considered hazardous examples are sodium metal, potassium metal, and phosphorus. Reactive materials also include strong oxidizers such as perchloric acid, and chemicals capable of detonation when subjected to an initiating source, such as solid, dry < 10% H2O picric acid, benzoyl peroxide, or sodium borohydride. Solutions of certain cyanide or sulfides that could generate toxic gases are also classified as reactive. The potential for finding such chemicals in a refinery is... 

Perchloric acid spilled on the floor or bench top represents a hazard. It should not be mopped up, nor dry combustibles used to soak up the acid. The spilled acid should first be neutralized and then soaked up with rags or paper towels. The contaminated rags and paper towels must be kept wet to prevent combustion upon drying. They should be placed in a plastic bag and sealed and then placed in a flammable waste disposal can. If the spill can be rinsed down a chemical drain, neutralization of the wetted area is recommended, followed by additional rinsing.16,30,31... 

Know all the hazards of the chemicals with which you work. For example, perchloric acid is a corrosive, an oxidizer, and a reactive. Benzene is an irritant that is also flammable, toxic, and carcinogenic. 

An oxidant. Combusdble when exposed to heat and flame. Moderate explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame. Explosive reacdon with solid or concentrated alkali + heat (e.g., sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide), aluminum chloride + phenol (at 120°C), aniline + glycerol + sulfuric acid, nitric + sulfuric acid + heat. Forms explosive mixmres with aluminum chloride, oxidants (e.g., fluorodinitromethane, uranium perchlorate, tetranitromethane, sodium chlorate, nitric acid, nitric acid + water, peroxodisulfuric acid, dinitrogen tetraoxide), phosphorus pentachloride, potassium, sulfuric acid. Reacts violendy with aniline + glycerin, N2O, AgC104. To fight fire, use water, foam, CO2, dry chemical. Incompadble with potassium hydroxide. When heated to decomposidon it emits toxic flames of NOx. See also NITRO COMPOUNDS OF AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS. 

---