[Rockhounds] muriatic acid for cleaning...

[gene at fossilnut.com]

CO2 is not poisonous in and of itself. The effect of CO2 is to make you 
breathe harder and too much can bring on respiratory distress in some folks. 
The huge releases of CO2 that killed folks , killed them by asphyxiation, 
not poisoning. The CO2 dropped the oxygen level below that which would 
support life. For that matter Nitrogen is worse because if you step into a 
pure nitrogen atmosphere, you will collapse without forewarning from your 
senses. There are many industrial fatalities each year from Nitrogen 
asphyxiation, unfortunately.

As for acid, the skin provides some protection to dilute acids, though I 
would not make a habit of dipping my hands in even 10% HCl. It can be murder 
on cuts and under finger nails, and bubber gloves are so easy to use. Eyes 
are another matter entirely and I always wear safety glasses for handling 
and using acid (except for vinegar) and other chemicals for cleaning rocks.

Again the first post on this subject warned to read and follow the MSDS. 
That is good advice for any chemical.

Gene Hartstein

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Erich Kern" <efkern at earthlink.net>
To: "Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem collectors" 
<rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2007 10:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Rockhounds] muriatic acid for cleaning...




I would first ask Cynthia what it is she wants to remove from her "raw 
rocks". If it's simply dirt, soak in a bucket of water overnight, then rinse 
under running water and scrub with an old toothbrush if the specimen is not 
delicate. If it's clay, add a cup of ammonia to the bucket of water; this 
helps loosen clay. Acid may not be necessary, and if her "raw rocks" are 
carbonates, HCL will damage them.

A cup or two of HCL in a bucket of water is about as harmless as vinnegar. 
After all, HCL is used in swimming pools to balance the PH. I put my bare 
hands in 1:4 HCL solutions, then rinse in clean water ASAP. Remember, "the 
dose makes the poison". One safety precaution is to have a bucket of clean 
water nearby for rinsing hands, or washing your face in case of splashes.

I know of no cases of death or illness from breathing CO2 except when a 
freakish natural event released a huge volume of the gas in a lake which was 
in a valley and all the animals died. CO2 is much heavier than air and the 
gas cloud clings to low elevations. You'd likely breathe more CO2 by 
inhaling over a freshly poured glass of seltzer water than from cleaning 
minerals. Yes, those bubbles in soda are CO2.

Erich Kern
Murrieta, CA


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Jim Daly
To: Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem collectors
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2007 6:15 AM
Subject: Re: [Rockhounds] muriatic acid for cleaning...


Three main points to keep in mind:
  Dilute the muriatic at least 50:50 with water (adding acid to water, not 
vice versa)
  Do it outdoors, in a loosely covered plastic pan.
  Rinse thoroughly with the garden hose and let dry before touching the 
specimens.
  Jim Daly

Frederick Olmstead <folmstead at rcn.com> wrote:
  HELLO

I received this email from a club member and I am passing it along to
the list for help in answering the question.

Thank you

GeorgiaO

__..--..__..--..__..--..__


> Hello....
>
> I received this message from Cynthia XXXX
>
> Please forward to 'all' -
>
> We are TOTAL beginners... have purchased Muriatic Acid for cleaning
> our new finds 'in the raw' and need basic guidance on how to use with
> raw rocks.
> Should we stir or ok to leave as is, apx. how long based on general
> volume of rocks (just a few for first batch), etc.
>
> If you can, please call ......
>
> Greatly appreciated!
>
> Cynthia
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> If you can help, please contact her.
>
> Cheerio, Wxxxxl




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