Sulphuric Acid
August 12, 2012
Version: 1

Product Safety Summary for Sulphuric Acid
SUBSTANCE NAME
Sulphuric acidSulfuric acid

GENERAL STATEMENT
Sulphuric Acid is a light brown liquid. It is a very strong inorganic acid and one of the oldest chemical
substances produced by mankind. It has a very wide range of uses and applications in many chemical
processes, in electrolytic applications, in industrial cleaning and etching applications. Apart from batteries,
there are practically no consumer products with Sulphuric Acid. It is very corrosive and irritating to the skin andthe eyes. This hazard property requires careful protection of industrial workers and professional users who may
come into contact with it. From an environmental point of view, Sulphuric Acid is of low risk.

CHEMICAL IDENTITYEC Name: Sulphuric acid
EC-No. : 231-639-5
CAS-No. : 7664-93-9
Molecular formula: H2O4S
Structural formula:

USES AND APPLICATIONSThere are many different industrial processes to produce Sulphuric Acid. They have in common that Sulphur
Dioxide is oxidized and subsequently reacted to Sulphuric Acid. Sulphuric Acid is one of the most widely-usedindustrial chemicals. It is used as an intermediate to produce many different organic and inorganic chemicals,
including fertilizers, and as a processing aid, catalyst, dehydrating agent and pH regulator in many processes.
It is used in the extraction and treatment of minerals and ores and as an agent to purify and scrub liquid andgas streams in the industry. Sulphuric acid is also used in the process of surface treatments, etching, metal
plating and other electrolytic processes, as well as for purification and industrial cleaning purposes. As end-use,
Sulphuric Acid finds application in batteries, e.g. for automotive applications.

PHYSICAL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Sulphuric acid is an odorless light brown liquid at room temperature and pressure.

Melting point/range: -1.11°C to 3°C (Sulphuric Acid at 98%)
Boiling point/boiling range: 310-335°C at 1013 hPas (Sulphuric Acid at 98%)1

Sulphuric Acid
August 12, 2012
Version: 1
Decomposition temperature: Not applicable
Flammability (solid, gaseous): Product is not flammable.
Ignition temperature: Not determinedExplosion limits:Lower: Product does not present an explosion hazard.
Upper: Product does not present an explosion hazard.
Molecular weight: 98.08 g/mol
pH value: < 1, at 20°C
pKa: 1.92, at 20°C
log Pow: Not relevant for ionisable substance
Vapor pressure: 130 Pa, at 148.5 °C and <0.1Pa, at 20°C (Sulphuric Acid at 97%)
Vapor density: Not determined
Relative density: 1.8361 g/cm³, at 20 °C (Sulphuric Acid at 98%)
Solubility in/Miscibility with water: Fully miscible with water.
Dynamic viscosity: 22.5 mPa·s at 20 °C (Sulphuric Acid at 95%)

HEALTH EFFECTS
Sulphuric Acid as such is not expected to be absorbed or distributed throughout the body as the acid willrapidly dissociate. The effects of Sulphuric Acid are essentially the result of the hydrogen ion rather than theeffect of the sulphate ion. Effects may be caused by pH changes or reactions of the H+ ion and therefore they
are not necessarily specific to Sulphuric Acid. Sulphuric Acid is very corrosive and irritating to the skin and tothe eyes. Due to this property, significant or prolonged exposure, specifically via oral and dermal exposure,does not occur and is not tested for animal welfare reasons. To the extent tested Sulphuric Acid is notconsidered to cause acute or long term health effects, other than skin and eye damage due to its corrosive andirritating properties.

EFFECT ASSESSMENTRESULT

Acute Toxicity (oral/dermal/inhalation)

Acute toxicity is dominated by local corrosivity and irritancy inall routes of exposure. Therefore, classification of Sulphuric
Acid for acute toxicity is not considered to be appropriate.

Irritation/Corrosivity

Sulphuric Acid is irritating and corrosive to the skin and to the(skin/eye/respiratory tract)eyes.

Sensitization

Based on the available data Sulphuric Acid is not considered(skin/respiratory tract)

to have skin or respiratory sensitization properties.

Mutagenicity

Available in/vitro and in/vivo data indicate that Sulphuric Acid
does not cause mutagenic effects.

Carcinogenicity

No evidence of a carcinogenic potential was observed in
carcinogenicity studies addressing oral exposure.

2

Reproductive Toxicity

Sulphuric Acid
August 12, 2012
Version: 1
Studies have not shown any fertility and other adverse
reproductive effects.

Repeated Dose Exposure

The effects of Sulphuric Acid are essentially a consequence ofthe local corrosivity/irritancy it produces, therefore repeated or
prolonged exposure is irrelevant.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Sulphuric Acid is a strong inorganic acid. It is fully miscible with water and it dissociates readily in water tohydrogen ions and sulphate ions at environmentally relevant pH. Both ions are ubiquitous in the environment
and, as such, not toxic. The hydrogen ion contributes to the pH of the local environment. The sulphate ion isincorporated into the various mineral species present in the environment. The total dissociation of Sulphuric
Acid at environmental pH implies that it will not, per se, adsorb onto particulates or accumulate in living tissues.
Sulphuric Acid has no potential to persist.

EFFECT ASSESSMENTRESULT

Aquatic Toxicity

Aquatic toxic effects seem to be entirely dependent on pH andnot specific to Sulphuric Acid.

FATE AND BEHAVIORRESULT

Biodegradation

Biodegradation criteria do not apply to inorganic substances
like Sulphuric Acid.

Bioaccumulation potential

Sulphuric Acid dissociates readily in water tonon-bioaccumulative ions and it is totally miscible with water,
therefore, bioaccumulation of Sulphuric Acid is not expected.

PBT/vPvB conclusion

Sulphuric acid has no potential to persist and therefore does
not meet the PBT and vPvB criteria.

EXPOSURE
Human Health
The majority of uses of Sulphuric Acid involve chemical conversion, such that the sulphuric acid molecule
hardly ever remains in downstreams and in end-use products. In the environment, Sulphuric Acid dissociates,
therefore, consumer exposure through contact with products or through environmental exposure is negligible.
Human exposure may only occur in industrial or professional use due to the use of Sulphuric Acid as raw
material or reactant, or in all levels derived from the production, use, maintenance and recycling of batteries
containing Sulphuric Acid. The corrosive nature of Sulphuric Acid dictates very rigorous avoidance of humancontact with the product, which severely limits the overall exposure.

Environment3

Sulphuric Acid
August 12, 2012
Version: 1
The uses of Sulphuric Acid are manifold, therefore, there are many potential sources for local or dispersive
environmental exposure originated from the manufacturing or use of Sulphuric Acid. Besides, there may beenvironmental exposure due to other processes where Sulphuric Acid could be generated, such as processesof combustion of fossil fuels. However, apart from unintentional accidental releases, environmental exposure toSulphuric Acid is in general low, mainly due to the fact that Sulphuric Acid readily dissociates in theenvironment.

RISK MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
The corrosive nature of sulphuric acid is the main risk that needs to be managed. Industrial workers andprofessional users need to be rigorously protected against skin and eye contact and inhalation of fumes.
Consumers do not normally come in contact with Sulphuric Acid. Personnel handling Sulphuric Acid must be
trained and protected by taking precautionary measures to protect against chemical exposure. Therefore
protective clothing, gloves and tightly sealed chemical goggles should be worn when handling it. Goodventilation at the workplace should be provided and local mechanical suction extraction should be installed if
the release of fumes or aerosols cannot be avoided.
Sulphuric acid should only be handled in areas where safety showers are present. Soiled and contaminatedclothing should be removed immediately. Sulphuric Acid should be kept away from foodstuffs, beverages andfeed. Workers should not eat, drink, smoke or sniff while working with the product, and hands should be
washed before breaks and at the end of work. Sulphuric Acid should be stored in dry conditions and away fromalkaline substances. For environmental protection in case of accidental release: do not allow product to reachsewage system or any water course. Retain and dispose of contaminated wash water.

STATE AGENCY REVIEWThis substance has been registered under REACH (EC) No. 1907/2006.
Sulphuric Acid is on the OECD list of High Production Volume (HPV) chemicals.
Sulphuric Acid is listed in the following Chemical Inventories: TSCA, EINECS, Canadian DSL, IECSC, PICCS,KECI, AICS, ENCS and NZIoC.

REGULATORY INFORMATION/CLASSIFICATION AND LABELINGClassification of the substance according to REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008:
Skin/Eye (Corrosion/irritation): Skin Corrosive Cat.1A; H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

Labeling according to REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008:
Pictogram: 4

Sulphuric Acid
August 12, 2012
Version: 1Signal word: Danger
Hazard statements:

H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.

CONTACT INFORMATION WITHIN COMPANY
For further information on this substance or product safety summaries in general, please contact:
Company: UBE Industries, Ltd.
Department: Industrial Chemicals Business Unit
Address: Seavans North Bldg., 1-2-1 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Town/Country: Japan
Postal code: 105-8449
E-mail: ube-basic@ube-ind.co.jp

Additional information can be found at:
http://www.ube.co.jp

GLOSSARYAcute toxicity

Harmful effect resulting from a single or short term exposure to asubstance.

AICS

Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances.

Biodegradation

Decomposition or breakdown of a substance under naturalconditions (actions of micro-organisms etc).

Bioaccumulation

Progressive accumulation in living organisms of a chemical
substance present in the environment.

Canadian DSL

Domestic Substances List of Canada.

Carcinogenicity

Substance effects causing cancer.

CAS

Chemical Abstracts Service (division of the American ChemicalSociety).

Chronic toxicity

Harmful effect after repeated exposures or long term exposure to asubstance.

EINECS

European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances

ENCS

Existing Notified Chemical Substances (Japan).

Flash point

The lowest temperature at which vapor of the substance may form
an ignitable mixture with air.

Genotoxicity

Substance effect that causes damage to genes, including
mutagenicity and clastogenicity.

GHS

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling ofChemicals

5Sulphuric Acid
August 12, 2012
Version: 1HPVHigh Production Volume Chemicals.

Hydrolyze

Undergo hydrolysis; decompose by reacting with water.

IECSC

Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances Produced or Importedin China.

Intermediate

Substance that is manufactured for and consumed in or used forchemical processing in order to be transformed into anothersubstance.

KECI

Korean Existing Chemical Inventory.

Monomer

Means a substance which is capable of forming covalent bonds
with a sequence of additional like or unlike molecules under theconditions of the relevant polymer-forming reaction used for theparticular process.

Mutagenicity

Substance effect that cause mutation on genes.

NZIoC

New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals

PBT

Persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic chemical.

Persistence

Refers to the length of time a compound stays in the environment,once introduced.

PICCS

Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances.

Risk Management Measures

Engineering controls, conditions and protective equipment needed
to be implemented to ensure that the risks to human health and theenvironment are adequately controlled.

REACH (EC) No. 1907/2006

European Commission Regulation concerning the Registration,Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals.

REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008

European Commission Regulation on Classification, Labeling andPackaging of Substances and Mixtures.

Reproductive toxicity

Including teratogenicity, embryotoxicity and harmful effects onfertility.

Sensitizing

Allergenic.

Sediment

Topsoil, sand and minerals washed from land into water forming in
the end a layer at the bottom of rivers and sea.

TSCA

Toxic Substance Control Act (USA).

Vapor pressure

A measure of a substance’s property to evaporate.

vPvB

Very persistent, very bio-accumulative.

DISCLAIMER
This information is furnished without warranty, expressed or implied, except that it is accurate to the best
knowledge of UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD. The data on this sheet related only the specific material designated6

Sulphuric Acid
August 12, 2012
Version: 1
herein. UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD. assumes no legal responsibility for use or reliance upon these data.

7