Dangerous Acids in the Workplace – Limescale Removal

27th April 2016 | hazardous chemical, limescale, safer alternatives

Limescale deposits are caused by small amounts of naturally occurring minerals in both fresh and saltwater. These minerals form deposits over time especially when heat is also present. Limescale deposit is particularly common in machinery and equipment that involves heating elements and heat transfer elements.

Removing limescale build-up is necessary to keep water-operated machinery running efficiently and to prevent equipment failure. Harsh acids, such as hydrochloric acid and sulphamic acid, are commonly used as chemical descalers in the workplace.

These acids are corrosive and dangerous, with the potential to cause devastating injuries to people. Disposing of harsh acids also creates environmental challenges that can be expensive and time consuming for businesses to resolve.

Hydrochloric acid

Hydrochloric acid has traditionally been used to remove limescale. It is classified as a Class 8 Dangerous Good with highly corrosive properties. The chemical is an extreme risk to anyone working with or exposed to it.

Highly corrosive

Concentrated contact with skin can cause severe burns, deep ulcers and skin discolouration. Highly diluted acid may cause skin redness, pain and dermatitis over time. Direct contact with eyes can result in redness, stinging, loss of colour vision or irreversible blindness. Swallowing hydrochloric acid may be fatal.

Toxic vapour

Hydrochloric acid releases a toxic vapour which can cause coughing, choking, chest pain, irritation to the respiratory tract, pulmonary edema, circulatory failure, and death. Vapours can also irritate and cause damage to eyes.

Long term exposure

Long term exposure to concentrated vapours may discolour and erode teeth. Ongoing occupational exposure to hydrochloric acid has been linked to gastritis, chronic bronchitis, dermatitis and photosensitising. Breathing in the fumes may also cause hyperplasia of the nasal mucosa, larynx and trachea, and lesions in the nasal cavity.

Sulphamic acid

Sulphamic (sulfamic) acid is also used for industrial descaling. It is less volatile, corrosive and irritating than hydrochloric acid. This makes it a common – though more expensive – replacement for harsher acids. However, sulphamic acid used for industrial descaling presents its own problems.

Health and safety risks

While less corrosive than hydrochloric acid, sulphamic acid can still cause significant burning if it comes into direct contact with skin and eyes. The acid releases a vapour that is irritating to the respiratory system and eyes. Long term exposure can result in skin irritations and sensitisation.

Dangerous to aquatic life

Sulphamic acid is very toxic to aquatic organisms such as fish. Because it can cause long term adverse effects in aquatic environments, sulphamic acid should not be released into waterways. This creates significant waste management issues.

Waste disposal costs

Sulphamic acid should not be disposed of down drains, including the rinse water. This means time-consuming waste management processes and expensive waste removal costs. Even empty containers that are not totally clean must be specially disposed of.

Triple7’s descaling range

Triple7’s range of high-tech chemical descalers are totally free of both hydrochloric acid and sulphamic acid.

Natural acids combined with non-toxic surfactants effectively remove scale build. The range is both Worksafe and eco-friendly to protect people and the environment.

Protect worker safety

No toxic and harmful chemicals means no risk of workplace accidents such as chemical burns, irritation and respiratory problems.

Save money

The non toxic formulation means significantly reduced PPE, ventilation requirements and other safety controls. Waste product and rinse water can be safely disposed off down the drain subject to local controls.

Protect aquatic environments

A safe alternative for marine and other sensitive natural environments.

Protect surfaces

Powerful de-scaling action without harsh acids. The low corrosion formulation will not damage metals and other surface materials.

Non hazardous

Triple7’s descaling range has no Hazchem rating so there is no need for special handling transport, storage or disposal requirements.

Powerful performance without the risks

Triple7 Eco-Scale Plus

A unique and highly concentrated limescale remover designed to meet the challenges of the mining, gas and oil industries. Powerful performance without risk to human health or the environment.

Visit the Triple7 Eco-Scale Plus product page>

Triple 7 Eco-Scale

The safe choice for marine limescale removal. Effective in salt water, this product will not adversely affect waterways or marine life.

Visit the Triple7 Eco-Scale product page>

Triple7 Enviroscale

A NATA (Defence) Accredited, worksafe and eco-friendly alternative to standard descaling products. Triple7 Enviroscale is non-hazardous, non-toxic and safe to dispose of down the drain.

Visit the Triple7 Enviroscale product page>