SULFURIC ACID CONCENTRATED
Basic information
- Chemical formula(s): \({\rm H_2 SO_4}\)
- Other names: Oil of vitriol
- CAS: 7664-93-9
- International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): 0362
- Flammability: no
- NOAA’s description: colourless oily liquid, soluble in water with release of heat, corrosive to metals and tissue, chars wood and most organic matter on contact, but unlikely to cause a fire.
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
- Health (blue): 3 - short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury.
- Flammability (red): 0 - will not burn under typical fire conditions, will not burn in air unless exposed to a temperature of 820 °C for more than 5 minutes.
- Instability–reactivity (yellow): 2 - undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water.
- Special notice (white):
- W - reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner.
- OX - oxidizer - allows chemicals to burn without an air supply.
Hazard statements
| Code | Phrase |
|---|---|
| H314 | causes severe skin burns and eye damage |
Precautionary statements
| Code | Phrase |
|---|---|
| P260 | do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray |
| P264 | wash … thoroughly after handling |
| P280 | wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection |
| P301+P330+P331 | IF SWALLOWED: rinse mouth, do NOT induce vomiting |
| P303+P361+P353 | IF ON SKIN (or hair): remove/take off immediately all contaminated clothing, rinse skin with water |
| P304+P340 | IF INHALED: remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing |
| P305+P351+P338 | IF IN EYES: rinse continuously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing |
| P310 | immediately call the ETH Emergency Desk: +41 44 342 11 88 (from mobile) or 888 (from landline) |
| P321 | specific treatment |
| P363 | wash contaminated clothing before reuse |
| P405 | store locked up |
| P501 | dispose of contents/container to HCI-Shop |
Protective measures
Gloves
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and OSHA Glove Selection Chart categorize gloves into four protection levels (very good, good, fair, poor (not recommended)) for given chemical. The levels of protection against concentrated sulfuric acid for four types of gloves are:
- Neoprene: good.
- Natural latex or rubber: good.
- Buthyl: good.
- Nitrile: good.
Safety goggles
- Always wear safety goggles when handling concentrated sulfuric acid. Corrective glasses are not considered safety googles.
- Handle concentrated sulfuric acid inside the fume hood only (with exception of moving the closed bottle to and from the storage cabinet).
Clothing
- Wear long trousers and fully covered shoes.
- Contact lenses are forbidden while working with chemical substances, even in combination with safety glasses.
- Do not wear cosmetics.
- Do not wear synthetic clothing while working with flammable liquids or gases or when a hazard is present as these materials tend to melt and stick to exposed skin.
- Do not wear headphones.
Spill management
- Use personal protective equipment.
- Avoid dust formation, avoid breathing dust.
- Avoid breathing vapors or mist.
- Ensure adequate ventilation.
- Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
- Sweep up without creating dust and arrange disposal.
- Do not let it enter drain.
- If a spill happened outside the fume hood (on the floor or desktop) contact Dr Jakub Tkaczuk (+41 44 632 31 62) and the ETH Emergency Desk (+41 44 342 11 88 from mobile or 888 from landline).