Oxalic acid dihydrate

1.65 g/cm³

1.653 @25 °C

EMA approved medicines: Veterinary medicine

EMA approved medicines: Veterinary medicine

101-102 °C

189.5 °C

Large Crystals; Dry Powder; Other Solid; Liquid; Liquid; Other Solid

Colorless solid; [ICSC] Colorless hygroscopic crystals; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]

COLOURLESS CRYSTALS.

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 1.1% (6 of 561) of reports.

Danger

H302+H312 (12.7%): Harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, oral; acute toxicity, dermal]

P260, P264, P264+P265, P270, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P305+P354+P338, P317, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P362+P364, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 561 reports by companies from 13 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Danger

Chemical: Ethanedioic acid, dihydrate

Ethanedioic acid, dihydrate is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Ethanedioic acid, dihydrate are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Oxalic acid dihydrate: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

Causes burns; Ingestion may have effects on calcium balance; Repeated or prolonged exposure may cause kidney stones; [ICSC] Causes burns; Inhalation may cause corrosive injuries to upper respiratory tract and lungs; Harmful by ingestion and skin absorption; May have teratogenic effects; Targets the kidney, nerves, blood, and eyes; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS] See Oxalic acid.

Decomposes on contact with hot surfaces or flames. This produces formic acid and carbon monoxide. The solution in water is a medium strong acid. Reacts violently with strong oxidants. This generates fire and explosion hazard. Reacts with some silver compounds. This produces explosive silver oxalate. Attacks some forms of plastic.

Acute Tox. 4 (98.8%)

Acute toxicity - category 4

Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower for at least 15 minutes. Refer for medical attention .

Rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible). Refer immediately for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance, protective gloves and safety goggles. Sweep spilled substance into covered plastic containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Wash away remainder with plenty of water.

1.0 [mg/m3]

2.0 [mg/m3]

1 mg/m

Acute Exposure: If oxalic acid is swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. DO NOT give water or milk if the person is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow. If acute exposure occurs to the eyes, irrigate opened eyes for several minutes under running water. Chronic exposure: in some patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1, pyridoxine treatment (vitamin B6) may decrease oxalate excretion and prevent kidney stone formation.

Because it binds vital nutrients such as calcium, long-term consumption of foods high in oxalic acid can be problematic. Healthy individuals can safely consume such foods in moderation, but those with kidney disorders, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or certain forms of chronic vulvar pain (vulvodynia) are typically advised to avoid foods high in oxalic acid or oxalates. The calcium oxalate precipitate (better known as kidney stones) obstruct the kidney tubules. Conversely, calcium supplements taken along with foods high in oxalic acid can cause calcium oxalate to precipitate out in the gut and drastically reduce the levels of oxalate absorbed by the body (by 97% in some cases.) Chronically high levels of oxalic acid are associated with at least 2 inborn errors of metabolism including: Type I primary hyperoxaluria and Primary hyperoxaluria. Oxalate stones in primary hyperoxaluria tend to be severe, resulting in relatively early kidney damage (before age 20), which impairs the excretion of oxalate leading to a further acceleration in accumulation of oxalate in the body. After the development of renal failure patients may develop oxalate deposits in the bones, joints and bone marrow. Severe cases may develop haematological problems such as anaemia and thrombocytopaenia. The deposition of oxalate in the body is sometimes called "oxalosis" to be distinguished from "oxaluria" which refers to oxalate in the urine.

The affinity of divalent metal ions is sometimes reflected in their tendency to form insoluble precipitates. Thus in the body, oxalic acid also combines with metals ions such as Ca2+, Fe2+, and Mg2+ to deposit crystals of the corresponding oxalates, which irritate the gut and kidneys. (2) Therefore the toxicity of oxalic acid is due to kidney failure caused by precipitation of solid calcium oxalate, the main component of kidney stones. Oxalic acid can also cause joint pain due to the formation of similar precipitates in the joints. Ingestion of ethylene glycol results in oxalic acid as a metabolite that can also cause acute kidney failure.

Cough. Sore throat. Burning sensation. Shortness of breath. Laboured breathing. Headache.

Redness. Pain. Skin burns.

Redness. Pain. Blurred vision. Burns.

Sore throat. Burning sensation. Abdominal pain. Laboured breathing. Convulsions. Paralysis. Cardiac dysrhythmia. Shock or collapse.

Oxalic acid poisoning symptoms include weakness, burning in the mouth, death from cardiovascular collapse, on the respiratory system, throat – burning in the throat, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and coma.

Used in calico printing and dyeing, bleaching straw hats and leather, cleaning wood and metals, purifying methanol, decolorizing crude glycerol, stabilizing hydrocyanic acid, removing paint, and removing stains; Also used in ceramics and pigments, in veterinary hemostatic solutions, in blood specimen anticoagulants, and in other industries (paper, photography, engraving, and rubber manufacturing); [Merck Index] Permitted for use as an inert ingredient in non-food pesticide products; [EPA]

Pulp and Paper Processing [Category: Industry]

Oxalic acid and oxalates are abundantly present in many plants, most notably fat hen (lamb's quarters), sorrel, and Oxalis species. The root and/or leaves of rhubarb and buckwheat are listed being high in oxalic acid.[8] Other edible plants that contain significant concentrations of oxalic acid include—in decreasing order—star fruit (carambola), black pepper, parsley, poppy seed, amaranth, spinach, chard, beets, cocoa, chocolate, most nuts, most berries, and beans. (L618)