[Rockhounds] muriatic acid for cleaning...

[Jim Daly]

All acids will put out CO2 when reacting with limestone or other carbonates. CO2 isn't nasty or toxic- it makes up about 5% of our atmosphere. The fumes are HCl gas, and that IS nasty and toxic. Of course, it will irritate and drive you away before it's too dangerous. Trust your senses.
  Jim Daly

"\"Rik Hill\" <rhill at lpl.arizona.edu>" <rhill24 at cox.net> wrote:
  
I don't know what your "finds" are but I have several comments. First, be very, very careful. That acid puts out nasty toxic fumes CO2. Make sure your ventilation is adequate (our outside is better) and don't get your face close to the work. It would be wise to dilute the acid. I almost never use Muriatic unless I have silicified fossils to remove. Mostly I use vinegar which is usually strong enough. 

I have used acids with a good deal of success but I stay with the work while it is soaking and for my fossils I usually scrub the work (with rubber gloves on) with a brass wire brush so the softer matrix material is removed preferentially. See my short write up at:
http://webmail.west.cox.net/do/mail/message/compose

-Rik
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