I agree with you, Mike
I was a Chemistry major in college and was very careful around all the concentrated (& dilute) acids and bases.??
With care, none are a problem.
Back when I was in aerospace industry. we always passivated the stainless steel, to remove any exess carbon, with nitric acid.? There is a MIL spec for? passivating. It's easy to find.
The layman should always research chemicals and processes, and follow them.? It is safe when ones don't take shortcuts.
ralphie
Ralph Lehotsky