A COMMON ingredient in the manufacture of a wide range of products, phosphoric acid is also rated as a “severe marine pollutant” that can severely affect human health through the inhalation of mist, ingestion and contact with skin and eyes.
Which is why, when the Phillip Island Fire Brigade was called out after the discovery of a 15-litre drum, labelled as Phosphoric Acid Solution 8 (UN1805), on the rocks at Surf Beach, they immediately called in the Hazmat unit from Wonthaggi.
“We got the call at 16.43 on Wednesday (January 29) that a drum of potentially toxic chemicals was found on the rocks at Surf Beach,” said Phillip Island CFA Captain Lino Drasi.
“It hadn’t been opened and while we couldn’t be sure what was in it, apart from the label, we had to treat it as toxic and called in the Wonthaggi Hazmat.
“They took it away and that’s all we know about it,” he said.
While there was no indication of a spill, the Hazmat officers followed fire-fighting advice when dealing with phosphoric acid and used their self-contained breathing apparatus and full fire-fighting “splash suit” turnout gear.
Two officers in splash gear with breathing apparatus walked the length of the beach to the rocks where the blue-coloured drum was located, picked it up with gloves and deposited it in a yellow hazardous materials bin and brought back for disposal.
“They’re trained to deal with exactly that situation,” Captain Drasi said.
As well as units from Phillip Island and Wonthaggi, San Remo also turned out.
The Esplanade Surf Beach, just west of Beach Street, was temporarily block while the chemical drum was collected for disposal.
Human exposure to phosphoric acid is dangerous. Doctors’ advice is that the product is a corrosive material and possible perforation of stomach or esophagus should be investigated. Asphyxia from glottal edema may occur, also a marked decrease in blood pressure and high pulse pressure.
The chemical is harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Phosphoric acid is used in the manufacture of superphosphate fertilisers, livestock feeds, phosphate salts, polyphosphates, soaps, waxes, polishes and detergents. Phosphoric acid is used as a soil stabiliser, in the manufacture of fire control agents, opal glasses, electric lights, in cotton dyeing, tile cleaning, ceramic binding, dental cement, water treatment, electro-polishing, operating lithography, photoengraving operations, process engraving, as a petrol additive and in coagulating rubber latex.
It is used in metal rust proofing before painting, in the polishing of metals, in pickling and in hot stripping for aluminium and zinc substrates. Phosphoric acid is used as an acid catalyst in making ethylene and purifying hydrogen peroxide, in the manufacture of chemicals (ethylbenzene, propylene, cumene), as a bonding agent for refractory bricks, in extracting penicillin and as an analytical agent.
It is used as an anti-oxidant in food, as a flavour additive for sharp taste in food (jellies, preserves) and soft drinks (e.g. Coca-Cola), as a tang (Food Additive 338) and for the manufacture of yeasts and gelatine. It is used to manufacture the phosphoric acid electrolyte fuel cell system and it has been used to treat lead poisoning.
