| Agent Name |
Phosphoric acid |
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| CAS Number |
7664-38-2 |
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| Formula |
H3-O4-P |
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| Major Category |
Other Classes |
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| Synonyms |
Acide phosphorique [French]; Acido fosforico [Italian]; Acidum phosphoricum; Evits; Fosforzuuroplossingen [Dutch]; Hydrogen phosphate; Orthophosphoric acid; Phosphoric acid; Phosphoric acid, ortho-; Phosphorsaeure; Phosphorsaeureloesungen [German]; Sonac; Wc-reiniger; White phosphoric acid; o-Phosphoric acid; [ChemIDplus] UN1805 |
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| Category |
Phosphorus Compounds |
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| Description |
Thick, colorless, odorless, crystalline solid. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution.]; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
". . . used in fertilizers, detergents, foods and beverages, water treatment, pickling and rust proofing metals, and for many other purposes." [ACGIH] Used in photography (platinum printing); [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] |
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| Comments |
Liquid or solid form causes second degree burns after contact for a few minutes; [CHRIS] Usually shipped as a solid or 85% solution. [CAMEO] Phosphoric acid > 70% is corrosive to skin. [Quick CPC] Phosphoric acid is an eye, skin, and upper respiratory tract irritant. [ACGIH] "The risk of pulmonary edema is very small." [Desai H. Phosphorus and Phosphorus Compounds. In: Sullivan JB, Krieger GR (eds). Hazardous Materials Toxicology. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1992; p. 938.] Corrosive to the skin, eye, and respiratory tract; [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) |
3 mg/m3 |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
1 mg/m3 |
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| MAK |
2 mg/m3, inhalable fraction |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
1000 mg/m3 |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: According to MCA [1958], phosphoric acid does not cause any systemic effect, and the chance of pulmonary edema from mist or spray inhalation is very remote. The rat oral LD50 of 1,530 mg/kg [Biofax 1970] cited by NIOSH provides a calculated IDLH of about 10,000 mg/m3. . . . Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for phosphoric acid is 1,000 mg/m3 based on acute oral toxicity data in animals [Biofax 1970]. This may be a conservative value due to the lack of relevant acute toxicity data for workers. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
0.02 mm Hg |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) > 850 mg/m3/1H |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
0: will not burn |
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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: PHOSPHORIC ACID
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