Why is acid poisonous?

Answer 1

Poisonous is not how I would define an acid. First of all, it depends on how strong is the acid we are considering. Every acid is corrosive (and so are bases) but if the acid is only slightly strong, like lemon juice, vinegar or even coke, you can drink or eat with no significant damage. Stronger acids such as muriatic acid used to clean or sulphuric acid, the one used in car batteries, are capable of burning your mouth (and even you skin) and your esophagus, resulting in fatal bleeding.

Answer 2

Acids are poisonous because they can disrupt the normal pH balance in the body, leading to tissue damage and irritation. When ingested, acids can also react with proteins and enzymes in the body, causing cell damage and potentially leading to organ failure.