Jon Davis

Period 5

4/15/13

Sulfuric Acid

Sulfuric Acid is a strong acid that’s corrosive on materials such as

metal, flesh, and stones. China is the world’s leading producer of sulfuric

acid with 24,270,000 tons produced in 2000. Sulfuric acid in its purest

form is not found naturally on Earth. It is, however, found in anhydrous

form in some toxic rivers.

Historically, sulfuric acid was known as oil of vitriol, because it

was made by roasting iron (II) sulfate in an iron retort. Later, a chemist

named Johann Glauber made sulfuric acid by burning sulfur with

potassium nitrate in steam. Using a metal chamber method, humans

were able to create sulfuric acid with a 65% concentration. The most

common way to produce sulfuric acid today was patented in 1831 by a

British vinegar merchant named Peregrine Phillips.

There are many uses for sulfuric acid, and in some cases those

uses are very important. Many companies in the iron and steelmaking

industry use sulfuric acid to clean oxidation off metals before they are

sold to other companies. Sulfuric acid is also in some strong drain

cleaners, because it can break down grease, hair, and tissue paper.

Sulfuric acid is a primary ingredient in Debcterol, which is used to treat

canker sores.

Highly concentrated sulfuric acid can cause very severe burns. Not

only does it decompose living tissues, but it also has a strong

dehydrating property, which dehydrates carbohydrates. It needs to be

carefully stored as it is corrosive to metals. The acid is known for

attacking the corneas when splashed into eyes. This often causes

blindness unless it’s thoroughly washed out immediately after it enters

the eyes.

Sulfuric acid is so notoriously dangerous to human flesh that it is

used to purposefully disfigure or kill people in many South Asian

countries. Acid throwing has lately become most popular as an act of

violence toward women, but it was first recorded in Europe when

women threw the acid at men who had cheated on them or their

mistresses. In modern times, acid throwing is most commonly practiced

over marriage proposals, refuse to sexual advances, and even land

disputes.

Unfortunately for the victims, death is slow and painful, and if you

don’t die you will be disfigured and it could lead to many health

problems. In Pakistan, a young boy named Iqbal was once a passionate

dancer, and he often danced at weddings. When he was 15, he refused

the sexual advances of an older man. The result was a bottle of acid

emptied over his head, which left him blind and caused severe pain

whenever he ate. In Bangladesh, a six-week-old baby named Durjoy was

fed acid by a jealous aunt who feared that she would lose her

inheritance to him. The acid severely burned his mouth and lips and

completely fused his neck to his chest so that he could only be drip-fed.