Agent Name |
Sulfuric acid |
CAS Number |
7664-93-9 |
Formula |
H2-O4-S |
Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
Synonyms |
Acide sulfurique [French]; Acido solforico [Italian]; Acido sulfurico [Spanish]; Acidum sulfuricum; BOV; Battery acid; Dihydrogen sulfate; Dipping acid; Electrolyte acid; Hydrogen sulfate; Mattling acid; Oil of vitreol; Oil of vitriol; Schwefelsaeure; Schwefelsaeureloesungen [German]; Sulfuric acid; Sulphuric acid; Vitriol Brown Oil; Zwavelzuuroplossingen [Dutch]; [ChemIDplus] UN1830; UN1832; UN2796 |
Category |
Acids |
Description |
Colorless to dark-brown, oily, odorless liquid. [Note: Pure compound is a solid below 51 degrees F. Often used in an aqueous solution.]; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used in the fertilizer, petroleum refining, and battery industries; also used in metal cleaning and electroplating; [ACGIH] Used in printing, publishing, and photography shops; [ATSDR ToxFAQs] |
Comments |
77%-98% acid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Solutions <30% are corrosive; solutions >30% are highly corrosive; [Quick CPC] "Human carcinogen" designation refers to sulfuric acid contained in strong inorganic acid mists. A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] May cause erosion of teeth enamel; [HSDB] |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
TIH |
Yes |
TLV (ACGIH) |
0.2 mg/m3, thoracic fraction |
PEL (OSHA) |
1 mg/m3 |
MAK |
0.1 mg/m3, inhalable fraction |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
15 mg/m3 |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
In exposures of 5 to 15 minutes, some volunteers found 5 mg/m3 to be very objectionable, while others found it less so [Amdur et al. 1952b]. |
Vapor Pressure |
5.93 x 10 -05 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
0.15 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 510 mg/m3/2h |
Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from AIHA; The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Sulfuric acid, fuming." |
Reference Link |
ATSDR ToxFAQs - Sulfuric Acid |
Flammability (NFPA) |
0: will not burn |
Adverse Effects |
Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
IARC Carcinogen |
Known Carcinogen |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: SULFURIC ACID
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