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What makes concentrated sulfuric acid dangerous to skin?
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oxyacid
The structure of phosphorous acid, H3PO3.
Concentrated sulfuric acid is dangerous to human skin primarily because it acts as a powerful dehydrating agent. It reacts with the organic compounds that make up skin tissue by removing the elements of water, a process that causes severe burns.12
Furthermore, the reaction between sulfuric acid and water is highly exothermic, meaning it releases significant amounts of heat. Because of this, adding water to concentrated acid can lead to explosive spattering, which poses a serious risk of chemical injury. To maintain safety in laboratory settings, it is essential to always add the acid to water slowly while stirring to effectively distribute the heat.1