What Is Muriatic Acid?
Muriatic acid is another name for hydrochloric acid. ATSDR says hydrochloric acid forms when hydrogen chloride dissolves in water, that both are corrosive and may cause burns on contact, and that hydrochloric acid is a component of commercial chemicals used to clean and disinfect swimming pools.
ATSDR says hydrogen chloride gas can irritate the lungs, causing a cough and shortness of breath, and that breathing high levels of the gas or vapor can lead to a build-up of fluid in the lungs, which may cause death. Because hydrochloric acid is corrosive, it can cause eye damage, even blindness, if splashed in the eyes, and skin contact can cause severe burns. It says swallowing it can cause severe injury to the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach.
ATSDR's guidance says to flush exposed or irritated eyes with plain water or saline for 15 minutes. For skin contact with hydrogen chloride, New Jersey's Department of Health says to quickly remove contaminated clothing, immediately wash the skin with large amounts of water and seek medical attention, and the NIOSH Pocket Guide lists immediate water flushing of the skin and immediate medical attention if the solution is swallowed.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceATSDR says hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, forms when hydrogen chloride dissolves in water, and both are corrosive and may cause burns on contact. ATSDR Medical Management Guidelines, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) is a component of commercial chemicals used to clean and disinfect swimming pools. ATSDR Medical Management Guidelines, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says hydrogen chloride gas can irritate the lungs and cause cough and shortness of breath, and breathing high levels can lead to fluid build-up in the lungs that may cause death. ATSDR Medical Management Guidelines, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says hydrochloric acid can cause eye damage, even blindness, if splashed in the eyes, and skin contact can cause severe burns. ATSDR Medical Management Guidelines, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says ingesting concentrated hydrogen chloride can cause severe injury to the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach. ATSDR Medical Management Guidelines, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR guidance says to flush exposed or irritated eyes with tepid plain water or saline for 15 minutes. ATSDR Medical Management Guidelines, CDC ↗
- Government sourceFor skin contact with hydrogen chloride, New Jersey's Department of Health says to quickly remove contaminated clothing, immediately wash the skin with large amounts of water and seek medical attention. New Jersey Department of Health ↗
- Government sourceThe NIOSH Pocket Guide lists first aid for hydrogen chloride solution as immediate eye irrigation, immediate water flushing of the skin and immediate medical attention if swallowed. NIOSH, CDC ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.