| Agent Name |
Oxalic acid |
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| CAS Number |
144-62-7 |
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| Formula |
C2-H2-O4 |
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| Major Category |
Other Classes |
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| Synonyms |
Acide oxalique [French]; Acido ossalico [Italian]; Acidum oxalicum; Aktisal; Aquisal; Ethanedioic acid; Kyselina stavelova [Czech]; Oxaalzuur [Dutch]; Oxalate; Oxalic acid; Oxalsaeure [German]; Oxiric acid; [ChemIDplus] |
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| Category |
Organic Acids |
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| Description |
Colorless, odorless powder or granular solid. [Note: The anhydrous form (COOH)2 is an odorless, white solid.]; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in rust removers, radiator cleaners, ink eradicators, leather tanning compounds, textile bleaches, and in vitro anticoagulants. [ACGIH] Several species of plants contain soluble and insoluble oxalate salts. [Olson, p. 296] Used in photography (toner and platinum printing); Also used as a mordant in textile dyeing; [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] |
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| Comments |
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact. [CHRIS] Solutions of 5-10% cause irritation of the skin after prolonged exposure. [ACGIH] Solutions range from irritating to corrosive. Inhalation of high concentrations may induce chemical pneumonitis. Ingestion of oxalic acid or soluble oxalate compounds causes acute hypocalcemia and deposition of calcium oxalate crystals in the brain, heart, kidney, and other organs. In plant poisoning cases, ingestion of insoluble oxalate compounds causes irritation and swelling of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. [Olson, p. 296] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
1 mg/m3 |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
2 mg/m3 |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
1 mg/m3 |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
500 mg/m3 |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: It has been reported that the lethal oral dose is 15 to 30 grams [Webster 1930]. [Note: An oral dose of 15 to 30 grams is equivalent to a 30�minute exposure to 10,000 to 20,000 mg/m3 assuming a 50 liter per minute breathing rate and 100% absorption.] |
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| Vapor Pressure |
0.000234 mm Hg |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
1: must be preheated |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: OXALIC ACID
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