Material Safety Data Sheet

---

Material Safety Data Sheet

 

SECTION 1 – Chemical Product 

MSDS Name: SULPHURIC ACID 

Formula: H2SO4 

Molecular Wt: 98.08 

 

SECTION 2 – Composition/Information on Ingredients 

Chemical Name      Percent 

     CAS# 

  EINECS/ELINCS

 

Sulfuric Acid 

93%-98% 

7664-93-9 

231-639-5 

Water 

2%-7% 

7732-18-5 

231-791-2 

SECTION 3 – Hazards Identification 

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW 

Appearance: Clear, colorless to dark brown, odorless, dense, oily liquid. 

Hygroscopic. Will not burn. Can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic 

gases, such as sulphur oxides. Contact with combustible materials may cause fire. 

Highly reactive. Contact with many organic and inorganic chemicals may cause fire 

or explosion. Contact with metals liberates flammable hydrogen gas. Reacts violently 

with water. VERY TOXIC. 

May be fatal if inhaled or swallowed. CORROSIVE to the eyes, skin and respiratory 

tract. May cause blindness and permanent scarring. Causes lung injury–effects may 

be delayed. Strong inorganic acid mists containing sulphuric acid are 

CARCINOGENIC. 

Target Organs: Lungs, teeth, eyes, skin, mucous membranes. 

Potential Health Effects 

Primary Route(s) of Entry: Inhalation and ingestion. Skin contact. Eye contact. 

Effects of Acute Exposure: Corrosive, oxidizing and sulphonating properties on 

contact. May be fatal by ingestion, inhalation or skin contact. 

LD50/LC50: CAS# 7664-93-3: Inhalation, mouse: LC50 = 320 mg/m3/2H, Inhalation, 

rat: LC50 = 510 mg/m3/2H Oral, rat: LD50 = 2140 mg/kg. 

Eyes: Causes severe eye burns. May cause permanent eye injury, including blindness. 

Sulphuric acid mists and aerosols are expected to be irritating. 

Skin: Causes severe skin burns, blisters, ulcers, and permanent scarring. Extensive 

burns may result in death. High mist or aerosol concentrations 

may cause redness, irritation and burns to the skin if contact is prolonged. 

Ingestion: May be fatal if swallowed. Causes burns to the lips, tongue, throat, 

esophagus, and stomach; symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, intense 

---

thirst, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases collapse and death. 

Aspiration during ingestion or vomiting may cause serious lung injury and death. 

Inhalation: May be fatal if inhaled. Causes severe irritation and burns to the 

respiratory system. May cause pulmonary edema with symptoms including coughing, 

chest pain and shortness of breath. Symptoms can be delayed for 

24-48 hours after exposure and are aggravated by physical 

exertion. 

Effects of Chronic Exposure: Although sulphuric acid is widely used, there is little 

information on the effects of long-term exposure. Long-term exposure to 

corrosive materials like sulphuric acid can cause chronic respiratory irritation. 

Repeated exposure to sulphuric acid aerosols has caused dental erosion. Repeated 

skin contact with low concentrations can cause dry, red, cracked skin (dermatitis).