Sulphuric Acid
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SULphURIC ACID E.U. Classification: C: corrosive UN N°: 1830 MARPOL classification:Cedre C until 31/12/2006 Y from 01/01/2007 SEBC Classification: D (dissolver) CHEMICAL RESPONSE GUIDE Cedre Sulphuric acid Chemical response guide SULPHURIC ACID PRACTICAL GUIDE INFORMATION DECISION-MAKING RESPONSE This document was drafted by Cedre (the Centre of Documentation, Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution) with financial support from ARKEMA and the French Navy, as well as tech- nical guidance from ARKEMA. CautionCedre Certain data, regulations, values and norms may be liable to change sub- sequent to publication. We recom- mend that you check them. The information contained within this guide is a result of Cedre’s research and experience. Cedre cannot be held responsible for the consequences resulting from the use of this information. Published: November 2006 Legal deposit upon publication Translated by Sally Ferguson 3 Sulphuric acid Chemical response guide Purpose of this guide As part of the research funded by the French They also contain the results of scenarios Navy and ARKEMA, Cedre (the Centre of relating to incidents which have occurred in Documentation, Research and Experimentation the Channel, the Mediterranean and in rivers. on Accidental Water Pollution) has produced These scenarios are only intended to provide a series of response guides for chemical response authorities with indications of what hazards. They can be used to assist in emer- to do in an emergency. Each real incident gency response in the event of an incident should be analysed individually and the res- involving a vessel carrying hazardous substan- ponse authorities should not underestimate ces which may cause water pollution. the importance of taking in-situ measure- ments (air, water, sediment and marine fauna) These guides are updates of the 61 "mini in order to determine exclusion areas. response guides" published by Cedre in the early 1990s. These guides are intended primarily for specia- lists who know about the techniques to use in These guides are designed to allow rapid the event of an emergency in addition to the access to the necessary initial information (see relevant operational response measures. The chapter entitled "First line emergency data"), main concern is to mitigate the consequences in addition to providing relevant bibliographi- of a spill, however we cannot afford to over- cal sources to obtain further information. look responder safety and human toxicology. To contact the duty engineer at Cedre (24/7) Please call: + 33 (0)2 98 33 10 10 National toxicology surveillance system in Poison Control Centres in France the event of a major toxicological threat. Angers (Centre Hospitalier d’Angers) Tel.: + 33 (0)2 41 48 21 21 CedreBordeaux (Hôpital Pellegrin-Tripode) Tel.: + 33 (0)5 56 96 40 80 Grenoble (Hôpital Albert Michallon) Tel.: + 33 (0)4 76 76 56 46 In France, a hotline is manned around the clock by Lille (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire) Tel.: + 33 (0)8 25 81 28 22 Division 7 of the General Department of Health (SD7/ Lyon (Hôpital Edouard Herriot) Tel.: + 33 (0)4 72 11 69 11 DGS). Marseille (Hôpital Salvator) Tel.: + 33 (0)4 91 75 25 25 Nancy (Hôpital Central) Tel.: + 33 (0)3 83 32 36 36 During opening hours please call: Paris (Hôpital Fernand Widal) Tel.: + 33 (0)1 40 05 48 48 Tel.: + 33 (0)1 40 56 47 95 Reims (Hôpital Maison Blanche) Tel.: + 33 (0)3 26 78 48 21 Fax: + 33 (0)1 40 56 50 56 Rennes (Hôpital de Pontchaillou) Tel.: + 33 (0)2 99 59 22 22 Rouen (Hôpital Charles Nicolle) Tel.: + 33 (0)2 35 88 44 00 Outside normal working hours please call the relevant Strasbourg (Hôpitaux Universitaires) Tel.: + 33 (0)3 88 37 37 37 authority. Toulouse (Hôpital de Purpan) Tel.: + 33 (0)5 61 77 74 47 4 Sulphuric acid Chemical response guide Contents Purpose of this guide 4 A WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SULPHURIC ACID 6 A B FIRST LINE EMERGENCY DATA 7 B.1 - First aid information 8 B.2 - ID card 9 B.3 - Physical data 10 B.4 - Flammability data 11 B.5 - Toxicological data 12 B.6 - Ecotoxicological data 13 B B.7 - Persistence in the environment 14 B.8 - Classification 15 B.9 - Particular risks 17 B.10 - Transportation, handling, storage 18 C RESULTS OF ACCIDENT SCENARIOS 19 C.1 - Reminder of chemical properties 20 C C.2 - Accident scenarios 21 C.3 - Consumption scenarios 32 D RESPONSE 33 D.1 - Experience feedback 34 D.2 - Examples of sulphuric acid spills 36 D.3 - Response recommendations 37 D.4 - Response techniques 39 D D.5 - Choosing personal protective equipment (PPE) 40 D.6 - Measuring equipment and waste treatment 42 E FURTHER INFORMATION 43 E.1 - Glossary 44 E.2 - Acronyms Cedre48 E.3 - Useful websites 50 E E.4 - Bibliography 51 Annexes 53 Annex 1: pH graphs 54 Annex 2: summary and additional physical and toxicological data 56 Annex 3: fax format data card 60 Annex 4: classification of noxious liquid substances 63 Annex 4b: new classification of noxious liquid substances 64 5 Sulphuric acid Chemical response guide What you need to know about sulphuric acid A Definition • Fire: sulphuric acid is a flammable Concentrated sulphuric acid is a colourless, compound, however its corrosive action on odourless liquid. In air at room temperature, most common metals (zinc, iron, some cast the concentrated acid gives off invisible toxic irons and copper) is accompanied by a release vapours. From 30°C, it gives off heavy, whitish, of hydrogen, an explosive and flammable gas irritating vapours. The presence of impurities when mixed with air. Warning: the minimum often turns the acid a yellowy brown colour. ignition energy of hydrogen is very low. Manufactured sulphuric acid exists as an • Toxicity: sulphuric acid is liable to be aqueous solution at various concentrations. absorbed by the respiratory and digestive The data provided in this guide applies to tracts, after a violent reaction with water. sulphuric acid at concentrations of 92% to In solution or in the form of vapours, it is 98%. corrosive and irritating for the skin, eyes and the respiratory and digestive tracts. The risks Use for man and for the environment are therefore Sulphuric acid is used in the manufacture of mainly due to the corrosive nature of sulphuric fertilisers (superphosphates), the synthetic acid when in contact with this chemical. textile industry, the iron and steelmaking Repeated or prolonged contact with the skin industry to remove oxidation, rust and can cause dermatitis. scale, in ore processing, the oil industry, the manufacture of dyes, for electroplating, in the Behaviour in the environment explosive industry, in the paper industry, as a When spilt into water, sulphuric acid is a strong dehydrating and sulphonating agent, and in acid which completely dissolves into sulphate lead batteries. It is a liquid chemical which is ions and protons, causing the release of a transported in bulk. lot of heat. If this mixture occurs on or just below the water surface, the water can be Risks brought to the boil. However, given its high • Explosion: sulphuric acid is not an explosive density (d = 1.84), the acid sinks if there is no compound, however it reacts violently with agitation. many organic matters, powdered metals, car- Its toxicity depends above all on the acidity bides, chlorates, chromates, Cedrepermanganates, of the substance and its effect on the pH: it nitrates, fulminates and fluosilicon, to produce is noxious for certain aquatic species whose a lot of heat and releasing hydrogen. A dan- survival requires a pH of at least 5.5. It gerous, violent reaction occurs when concen- presents no danger of bioconcentration or trated sulphuric acid comes into contact with bioamplification along the food chain. water. The reaction also causes projections of There is however a danger for the water water to be sprayed. Concentrated sulphuric quality if large quantities infiltrate the ground acid reacts violently with strong anhydrous and/or natural waters. bases or concentrated alkaline solutions. 6 Sulphuric acid Chemical response guide First line emergency data B First aid information B1 ID card B2 Physical data B3 Flammability data B4 Toxicological data B5 Ecotoxicological data B6 Persistence in the environment B7 Classification B8 Particular risks CedreB9 Transportation, handling, storage B10 7 Sulphuric acid Chemical response guide First aid information (ICSC, 2000; ARKEMA MSDS, 2003) The corrosive action of sulphuric acid can appear after a certain delay: it is important to take immediate action. Immediately remove all soiled or spotted clothes, including shoes. Intoxication by inhalation - Move the victim into the open air and lie them down. - Prop the person up to a half-sitting position. - Apply artificial respiration if necessary. B1 - Transfer to hospital immediately. Skin contact - Rinse with plenty of water at length while rapidly removing soiled clothes in the shower. - Finish cleaning with a neutralising solution (5 to 10 % triethanolamine solution). - In the event of extensive burns, transfer to hospital immediately. Eye contact - Immediately wash the eyes with plenty water for at least 15 minutes, keeping the eyelids open. - Consult a specialist. Intoxication by ingestion - Do not induce vomiting. - Rinse the mouth and lips with water if the person is conscious. - Transfer to hospital immediately. Where necessary, contact theCedre nearest poison control centre (cf. page 4). 8 Sulphuric acid Chemical response guide ID card 1 Sulphuric acid Gross formula: H2SO4 Semi-developed formula: (OH)2–S=(O)2 Synonyms Sulfuric acid, oil of vitriol, vitriol, battery acid, chamber acid, fertilizer acid, mattling acid, electrolyte acid, B2 dihydrogen sulphate. E.U. Classification C: corrosive R35: causes severe burns. S26: in case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.