Editing Perchloric acid (section)

==Safety==
Given its strong [[Redox|oxidizing]] properties, perchloric acid is subject to extensive regulations as it can react violently with metals and flammable substances such as wood, plastics, and oils.<ref name="Data">{{cite web | url=http://www.setonresourcecenter.com/msdshazcom/htdocs//MSDS/E/EMD/Docs/wcd00021/wcd0218c.pdf |title=Materials Safety Data Sheet - Perchloric Acid, 60%, GR |website=emd chemicals |date=2003 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324083342/http://www.setonresourcecenter.com/msdshazcom/htdocs//MSDS/E/EMD/Docs/wcd00021/wcd0218c.pdf | archive-date=24 March 2012 | url-status=dead | access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref> Work conducted with perchloric acid must be conducted in fume hoods with a wash-down capability to prevent accumulation of oxidisers in the [[ductwork]].

On February 20, 1947 in Los Angeles, California, 17 people were killed and 150 injured in the [[O'Connor Plating Works disaster]]. A bath, consisting of over 1000 litres of 75% perchloric acid and 35% [[acetic anhydride]] by volume which was being used to [[electropolishing|electro-polish]] aluminium furniture, exploded. Organic compounds were added to the overheating bath when an iron rack was replaced with one coated with cellulose acetobutyrate ([[Tenite|Tenit-2]] plastic). A few minutes later the bath exploded.<ref>{{cite book |author1= R. C. Nester |author2= G. F. Vander Voort |title= Safety in the Metallographic Laboratory |publisher= ASTM Standardization News |year= 1992 |page= 34}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= CALIFORNIA: The Amazing Brew |publisher= [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url= http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,854621,00.html |date= March 3, 1947}}</ref> The O'Connor Electro-Plating plant, 25 other buildings, and 40 automobiles were destroyed, and 250 nearby homes were damaged.