Sulfuric Acid Safety and handling

2. Properties
 Chemical formula H2SO4
 pH (1% soln/water): Acidic.
 Specific Gravity: 1.84 (Water = 1)
 Color: Colorless.
 Solubility: Easily soluble in cold water
(Exothermic rection).
 Class 8 – Corrosives.

3. Function
 PH adjustment controlling and cleaning
agent for scales
 Used For
 U/S of automatic filters “PH adjustment” 7-8.6
 CEB for U.F “anti-scalant”
 Regeneration of Polisher “source of H+ group for
cations replacement”
 Neutralization vessels “PH adjustment” 6 - 9
 Cooling Tower basin “PH adjustment” 8 - 8.6

4. Sulfuric acid safety
First aid
Acute symptoms
Types of
exposure
Fresh air, rest. Half-upright
position. Artificial respiration may
be needed. Refer for medical
attention.
Corrosive. Burning sensation. Sore
throat. Cough. Laboured breathing.
Shortness of breath. Symptoms
may be delayed .
•Inhalation
Remove contaminated clothes.
Rinse skin with plenty of water or
shower. Refer for medical
attention.
Corrosive. Redness. Pain. Blisters.
Serious skin burns.
•Skin
First rinse with plenty of water for
several minutes (remove contact
lenses if easily possible), then take
to a doctor.
Corrosive. Redness. Pain. Severe
deep burns.
•Eyes
Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce
vomiting. Refer for medical
attention.
Corrosive. Abdominal pain. Burning
sensation. Shock or collapse.
•Ingestion
IN ALL CASES CONSULT A DOCTOR!

5. Sulfuric acid safety
FIRE FIGHTING
ACUTE HAZARDS
TYPES OF
HAZARD
NO water. In case of fire
in the surroundings:
powder, foam, carbon
dioxide
Not combustible. Many
reactions may cause fire or
explosion. Gives off irritating
or toxic fumes (or gases) in a
fire.
FIRE
In case of fire: keep
drums, etc., cool by
spraying with water but
NO direct contact with
water.
Risk of fire and explosion on
contact with base(s) ,
combustible substances ,
oxidants , reducing agents or
water .
EXPLOSION

6. Sulfuric acid safety
Packaging & labeling
Storage
Spillage disposal
Unbreakable packaging;
put breakable packaging
into closed unbreakable
container. Do not
transport with food and
feedstuffs.
Note: B
C symbol
R: 35
S: 1/2-26-30-45
UN Hazard Class: 8
UN Packing Group: II
Separated from
combustible and reducing
substances, strong
oxidants, strong bases,
food and feedstuffs ,
incompatible materials .
See Chemical Dangers.
May be stored in stainless
steel containers. Store in
an area having corrosion
resistant concrete
floor. Keep container
tightly closed. Keep
container in a cool, well
ventilated area.
Stop leak if without risk.
Absorb with inert material. Do
not get water inside container.
Do not touch spilled
material. Use water spray
curtain to divert vapor drift.
Use water spray to reduce
vapors. Prevent entry into
sewers, basements or
confined areas; dike if
needed. Neutralize the
residue with a dilute solution
of sodium
carbonate.

7. Environmental considerations
 Prevent from entering in public sewers
or the immediate environment.
 Do not empty into drains, dispose of
this material and its container to
hazardous or special waste collection
 Point according to Hazardous Waste
Regulations.

8. Personal Protective
Equipment: 
 Full Face Breathing mask,
 Chemical resistant coverall.
 Neoprene gloves,
 Chemical safety shoes

9. Labels and symbols
 MASDS and symbols must be
available.
 Sulfuric acid English label.pdf
 Sulfuric Acid Arabic label.pdf

10. Labeling

11. NFPA

12. SULFURIC ACID NFPA

13. Hazard Material Identification System
HMIS

14. HMIS

15. Sulfuric acid HMIS

16. Placards symbols
Class 8 – Corrosives.

18. Attention
 Concretes made of cement are highly alkaline with
pH values normally above 12.5 and are not easily
attacked by acidic solutions. As the pH of the
solution decreases the equilibrium in the cement
matrix is being disturbed, and the hydrated cement
compounds are essentially altered by hydrolytic
decomposition which leads to the severe
degradation.
 Taking sample from sulfuric truck to detect the iron
in sulfuric sample, Rust is an iron oxide, usually
red oxide formed by the redox reaction
of iron and oxygen in the presence of water or air
moisture.