Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet Common Name: SULFURIC ACID Synonyms: Battery Acid; Hydrogen Sulfate; Oil of Vitriol CAS Number: 7664-93-9 Chemical Name: Sulfuric Acid RTK Substance Number: 1761 Date: December 2008 Revision: March 2016 DOT Number: UN 1830 Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE BACK PAGE Sulfuric Acid is a clear, colorless to brown, odorless liquid. It Hazard Summary is used to make storage batteries, fertilizers, paper products, Hazard Rating NJDHSS NFPA textiles, explosives, and pharmaceuticals, and in steel and iron HEALTH - 3 production. FLAMMABILITY - 0 REACTIVITY - 2 W CARCINOGEN Reasons for Citation CORROSIVE AND REACTIVE Sulfuric Acid is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance OXIDIZER List because it is cited by OSHA, ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE NTP, DEP, IARC, NFPA and EPA. CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance DO NOT USE WATER List. Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe Sulfuric Acid can affect you when inhaled. Sulfuric Acid is a CARCINOGEN. HANDLE WITH SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. EXTREME CAUTION. Sulfuric Acid is CORROSIVE and contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes, and may lead to FIRST AID blindness. Eye Contact Inhaling Sulfuric Acid can irritate the nose and throat. Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 30 Inhaling Sulfuric Acid can irritate the lungs. Higher minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. immediately. Exposure can cause headache, nausea and vomiting. Repeated exposure can cause permanent lung damage, Skin Contact damage to teeth, and upset stomach. Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash Sulfuric Acid is REACTIVE and a DANGEROUS contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. EXPLOSION HAZARD. Seek medical attention immediately. Sulfuric Acid is not combustible, but it is a STRONG OXIDIZER that enhances the combustion of other Inhalation substances. Remove the person from exposure. Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. Workplace Exposure Limits Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. 1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is EMERGENCY NUMBERS 1 mg/m3 averaged over a 10-hour workshift. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 0.2 mg/m3 (as the NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 Thoracic fraction) averaged over an 8-hour workshift. National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 Sulfuric Acid is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. SULFURIC ACID Page 2 of 6 Determining Your Exposure Reproductive Hazard While Sulfuric Acid has been tested, further testing is Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data required to assess its potential to cause reproductive harm. Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product ingredients and important safety and health information Other Effects about the product mixture. Sulfuric Acid can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, phlegm, For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New and/or shortness of breath. Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact Repeated exposure can cause permanent lung damage, Sheet, available on the RTK website damage to teeth, and upset stomach. (http://nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/right-to- know) or in your facility’s RTK Central File or Hazard Communication Standard file. Medical You have a right to this information under the New Jersey Medical Testing Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public Before beginning employment and at regular times thereafter, Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act (at least annually), the following are recommended: if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you Lung function tests are a private worker. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most following is recommended: employers to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public employers to provide their employees with Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure information concerning chemical hazards and controls. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication damage already done are not a substitute for controlling Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide exposure. similar information and training to their employees. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential Mixed Exposures effects described below. Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if Health Hazard Information you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Sulfuric Acid: Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes, and may lead to blindness. Inhaling Sulfuric Acid can irritate the nose and throat. Inhaling Sulfuric Acid can irritate the lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. Exposure can cause headache, nausea and vomiting. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Sulfuric Acid and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard Sulfuric Acid is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There is evidence that occupational exposure to strong inorganic acid mists containing Sulfuric Acid cause cancer of the larynx in humans. Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen. SULFURIC ACID Page 3 of 6 Workplace Controls and Practices Eye Protection Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or Wear non-vented, impact resistant goggles when working sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less with fumes, gases, or vapors. toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely when working with liquids. irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on Respiratory Protection workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. should only be used if the employer has implemented a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, The following work practices are also recommended: requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory Label process containers. Provide employees with hazard information and training. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.2 mg/m3, use recommended exposure levels. a NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an acid gas Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. cartridge specifically approved for Sulfuric Acid, with an R Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous or P100 prefilter. Increased protection is obtained from full material. facepiece powered-air purifying respirators. Always wash at the end of the workshift. Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect contaminated. Sulfuric Acid, (2) while wearing particulate filters abnormal Do not take contaminated clothing home. resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye irritation Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. Check to Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is, being handled, processed or stored. replace the filter