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When acids come into contact with concrete, they initiate a chemical reaction that dissolves the hydrated cement paste. This process leads to softening and structural weakening of the concrete. This issue is commonly observed in environments such as chimneys, sewers, and industrial settings. The severity of the damage increases as the pH of the water interacting with the concrete drops below 6.5. In particular, a pH under 4.5 can cause significant concrete damage.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Sampling and Pretreatment of Tooth Enamel Carbonate for Stable Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Analysis
07:57

Sampling and Pretreatment of Tooth Enamel Carbonate for Stable Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Analysis

Published on: August 15, 2018

Are teeth evidence in acid environment.

Makesh Raj1, Karen Boaz, N Srikant

  • 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Tagore Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Journal of Forensic Dental Sciences
|August 21, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) preserves human teeth, unlike hydrochloric (HCl) and nitric acids (HNO3), which dissolve them. This tooth resistance to H2SO4 aids in forensic identification, including age and sex determination.

Keywords:
Age estimationcaustic acidsmasking identitysex determinationteeth

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Last Updated: May 8, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Science
  • Dental Forensics
  • Chemistry

Background:

  • Human dentition is highly resistant to degradation.
  • Commercially available acids can be used to obscure human identification by destroying dental structures.
  • Understanding acid effects on teeth is crucial for forensic investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) on human dentition.
  • To determine the potential of specific acids in masking or preserving dental evidence for identification.

Main Methods:

  • Ten human upper anterior teeth were immersed in 37% HCl, 65% HNO3, or 96% H2SO4.
  • Teeth were examined and imaged (photographed and radiographed) at various time intervals up to 8 hours.

Main Results:

  • Complete dissolution of teeth occurred within 8 hours when exposed to concentrated HCl and HNO3.
  • Teeth immersed in concentrated H2SO4 maintained their morphology and radiographic dimensions throughout the 8-hour experimental period.

Conclusions:

  • Concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) does not degrade human teeth, preserving their structure.
  • The resistance of teeth to H2SO4 makes them valuable for forensic identification, including age and sex determination.