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Corrosive Substance: Oxalic Acid

Translucent, odorless crystals akin to magnesium sulphate and zinc sulphate crystals, known as Oxalic acid or sugar acid, salt of sorrel, and diacid ethanediolic. Its taste is sour and slightly bitter, acting as a relatively potent acid that precipitates as a white, dihydrate compound. This...

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Translucent, odorless, prismatic crystals, reminiscent of magnesium sulphate and zinc sulphate...
Translucent, odorless, prismatic crystals, reminiscent of magnesium sulphate and zinc sulphate crystals, are oxalic acid. Commonly referred to as Ethanediolic acid, Dicarboxylic acid, acid of sugar, and Salt of sorrel, it possesses a sharp sour taste with a slight bitterness. This is a relatively potent acid, forming a white, dihydrate precipitate. It's also found in nature.

Corrosive Substance: Oxalic Acid

Reviving the Natural Acid Wonders

  • Sometimes recognized as Ethanediolic acid, Dicarboxylic acid, acid of sugar and Salt of sorrel.
  • Delve into the enchanting world of oxalic acid, a colorless, transparent, and odorless compound, resembling the crystals of magnesium sulphate and zinc sulphate.
  • Its taste ranges from sour to slightly bitter, much like a refreshing sip of lemonade.
  • This acid, a relatively strong one, forms a white, dihydrate precipitate when put to use.
  • You'll find it in rhubarb leaves, beets, and plenty of other veggies. Be cautious, though, as potassium oxalate, sodium oxalate, and ammonium oxalate are toxic salts derived from oxalic acid.
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Master the Art of Creating Acid in Infinite CraftWatch onHow To Make Acid in Infinite Craft## Source

  • Discover the wonders of nature in the form of our very own oxalic acid, ubiquitously present in wood sorrel, rhubarb, spinach, and many more plants.
  • Oxalic acid can also be produced from the metabolism of moulds and through the extraction of alkali.

Oxalic Acid: A versatile Tool

  • The uses of oxalic acid extend across various industries, lending its hand to a multitude of applications.
  • Revamping Paints and Furniture: It is employed in paint, stain, and varnish removers, as well as in ceramics, making them the perfect tools for freshening up paints or restoring old furniture.
  • Cleaning: The Swiss-Army Knife of Cleaners: Oxalic acid is also used in general metal and equipment cleaning, wood cleaning, process engraving, printing and dyeing, bleaching, textile finishing, leather tanning, and photography.
  • Cleaning and Revitalizing Metallic Wonders: This wonder acid also helps in cleaning brass and copper articles, ensuring they sparkle and shine as good as new.

The Deadly Line: The Toxic Dose

The fatal dose of oxalic acid can range from 15 to 20 grams. Its fatal period is within the 1 to 2-hour mark.

The Way It Strikes: The Mechanism of Action

  • On a local level, oxalic acid acts as a corrosive in concentrated forms and an irritant in dilute forms.
  • Upon absorption, it combines with calcium ions, causing hypocalcemia due to the reaction with calcium in plasma, which results in insoluble calcium oxalate deposits in various organs. This accumulation can lead to tubular necrosis, renal failure, and other serious complications.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Local: Whitish or yellowish corrosion of mucosa with underlying congestion, also known as "scalded" appearance.
  • Systematic: Vomiting, diarrhea, hyperirritability of muscles, cramps, convulsions, chavostek's sign positive, metabolic acidosis, and renal failure, ultimately resulting in uremia.

Fulminating Poisoning

  • Burning pain from the mouth to the stomach, a burning, sour taste in the mouth, constriction around the throat, nausea, vomiting, and death before bowel movements.

First Aid and Treatment

  • Gastric lavage with Calcium gluconate IV (10 ml, 10% solution)
  • Dialysis or exchange transfusion for renal failure
  • The affected skin or eye should be washed with copious water
  • Parathyroid extract 100 units i.m. in severe cases
  • The bowels may be evacuated using castor oil

Detecting and Forensic Examination

  • Detection of urinary oxalate crystals, occurring as monohydrates (prism or needle-like) or dihydrates (tent or envelope shaped)
  • Measurement of oxalic acid in the urine using colorimetry
  • Demonstration of a white precipitate of barium oxalate when reacting with a solution of barium nitrate

Postmortem Aspects

  • Scalded mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Congestion and oxalate crystals in renal tubules, necrosis of proximal convoluted tubule
  • Whitish or yellowish discolorations of corroded areas
  • Accidental intake of mistaking the compound for Epsom salts or sodium bicarbonate
  • Chronic consumption leading to kidney stones
  • Uses in homicide, suicide, and as an abortion-inducing agent

References

  • Dr. K.S. Narayan Reddy. The essential of forensic medicine and toxicology. 34 edition.
  • VV Pillay. Modern medical toxicology. 4th edition.
  • R.K.Sharma. Concise textbook of forensic medicine and toxicology. 3edition.
  • Delve into the versatile applications of oxalic acid in the realm of health and wellness, where it serves as a crucial component in the management of certain medical-conditions.
  • Nutritionists and health-care professionals often advise monitoring the intake of foods rich in oxalic acid to maintain a balance in the body, as high concentrations may lead to forensic complications related to kidney-health.

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