Handling any concentrated acid is a dangerous task requiring caution and appropriate personal protective equipment. Acids can burn or severely irritate the skin. Eye contact with them can lead to a loss of vision. Exposure to chromic acid, in particular, can cause several adverse health effects. Inhalation of chromic acid mists can lead to irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs, causing coughing, labored breathing, and swelling of the larynx.
Chronic exposure can result in perforation of the nasal septum.
The chromium VI in these cleaning solutions is also a carcinogen and regulated by the state of California. Mixing the two creates heat that can cause splattering and increase the danger of skin or eye contact. The heavy metal in chromic acid solutions is harmful to the microorganisms used to treat local wastewater. It is also difficult to treat and may end up in San Francisco Bay. Therefore, campus policy and the campus's East Bay Municipal Utility District wastewater discharge permit prohibit drain disposal of solutions containing chromic acid.