...please handle conc. HCl under fume hood. Concentrated HCl forms mist that damage organic matter (e.g. your lungs). Washing equipment with HCl solution should be done under fume hood and protective clothing (e.g. cloves, smock, closed shoes etc.) - I have no specific hazard analyses. Nils
We acid wash large numbers of bottles for water quality work; we do it all under the hood with full protective clothing. And we don't use concentrated for the actual washing. Every risk should be as low as reasonably achievable. Outside might be marginally better than inside depending on a number of factors....but still not as good as under a hood. HCl volatilizes and about half of those people exposed can't detect the odor at potentially dangerous concentrations. The gas is heavy and when the fumes hit mucus membranes they gas dissolves to form....hydrochloric acid. To me there is not any science worth the exposure. Hood is essential; I don't see any shortcuts on this one.
You know me David; I won't use formalin if ethanol will do the job.