Question

Question 09.
If a few drops of a concentrated acid accidentally spills over the hand of a student, what should be done ?
(a) Wash the hand with saline solution
(b) Wash the hand immediately with plenty of water and apply a paste of sodium hydrogencarbonate
(c) After washing with plenty of water apply solution of sodium hydroxide on the hand
(d) Neutralise the acid with a strong alkali

Answer 1

Wash the hand immediately with plenty of water to wash away most of the acid and then apply a paste of baking soda $\left({\text{NaHCO}}_3\right)$ to neutralise the effect of any acid left. A strong alkali cannot be used since it is as corrosive as a strong acid.