| GHS classification | DangerH314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]P260, P264, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P321, P363, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for < 0.1% (4 of 4293) of reports.H290 (18%): May be corrosive to metals [Warning Corrosive to Metals] |
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| Regulatory information | Chemical: Phosphoric acidHazard Traits - Respiratory ToxicityRegulation (EC) No 396/2005 (amended)Phosphoric acid is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Phosphoric acid 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)2004/129/ECStatus: Active Update: 12-05-2023 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/15531 |
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| Other safety information | IMAP assessments - Phosphoric acid: Environment tier I assessment |
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| DOT label | Corrosive |
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| Fire hazards | Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:· Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes.Not combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire. Risk of fire and explosion on contact with incompatible substances. See Chemical Dangers. |
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| Fire potential | Not combustible. |
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| Health hazards | Burns on mouth and lips, sour acrid taste, severe gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, difficult swallowing, severe abdominal pains, thirst, acidemia, difficult breathing, convulsions, collapse, shock, death. (USCG, 1999)· TOXIC and/or CORROSIVEinhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. |
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| Hazards summary | Liquid or solid form causes second degree burns after contact for a few minutes[CHRIS] Usually shipped as a solid or 85% solution. [CAMEO] Phosphoric acid > 70% is corrosive to skin. [Quick CPC] Phosphoric acid is an eye, skin, and upper respiratory tract irritant. [ACGIH] The risk of pulmonary edema is very small. [Desai H. Phosphorus and Phosphorus Compounds. In: Sullivan JB, Krieger GR (eds). Hazardous Materials Toxicology. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1992p. 938.] Corrosive to the skin, eye, and respiratory tract[ICSC] If phosphoric acid is used as a catalyst, phosphine can be formed in the strongly reducing atmosphere of the hot emissions. In air, phosphine rapidly oxidizes to phosphorus oxide. [IARC 2012: Iron and steel founding] |
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| DOT ID and guide | 1805 1543453 1541805 154(liquid or solution)3453 154(solid) |
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| FDA requirements | Phosphoric acid used as a multiple purpose GRAS food substance in food for human consumption is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice.Phosphoric acid used as a general purpose food additive in animal drugs, feeds, and related products is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice. |
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| Reactive group | Acids, Weak |
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| EC classification | Symbol: CR: 34S: (1/2)-26-45Note: B |
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| UN classification | UN Hazard Class: 8UN Pack Group: III |
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| Fire fighting | Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water. NO direct contact of the substance with water. |
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| First aid measures | Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer immediately for medical attention.Wear protective gloves when administering first aid. Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer immediately for medical attention .Rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible). Refer immediately for medical attention.Rinse mouth. Give nothing to drink. Do NOT induce vomiting. Refer immediately for medical attention.Wear protective gloves when administering first aid. Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer immediately for medical attention. |
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| Accidental release measures | · CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. |
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| First aid | Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Phosphoric acid:General First Aid:(General first aid procedures) |
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| Safe storage | Dry. Well closed. Separated from food and feedstuffs and incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.Separated from food and feedstuffs and incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Store only in original container. Store in an area without drain or sewer access. |
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| Firefighting Hazards | Flammable /hydrogen/ gas is formed on contact with metals. |
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| Exposure control and personal protection | · Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).2.0 [mg/m3], inhalable fraction[German Research Foundation (DFG)] |
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| Fire fighting procedures | Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Extinguish fire using agent suitable for surrounding fire.If material /is/ involved in /a/ fire, extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible.If material /is/ on fire or involved in /a/ fire, extinguish fire using agent suitible for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Use dry chemical, dry sand, or carbon dioxide. Do not use water on material itself. If large quantities of combustibles are involved, use water in flooding quantities as spray or fog. Use water spray to knock-down vapors. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. /Phosphoric acid, corrosive liquids N.O.S./ |
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| Storage conditions | Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from alkalies and most metals.The hot concentrated acid attacks porcelain and granite ware. Phosphoric acid may be stored in suitable stainless steel containers. |
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| Cleanup methods | Ventilate area of spill or leak. If in the solid form, collect spilled material in the most convenient and safe manner for reclamation or for disposal in a secured sanitary landfill. If in the liquid form, collect for reclamation or absorb in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material.Cellosized absorbent material may be used for vapor suppression and containment of spills.Air spill: Apply water spray or mist to knock down vapors. Vapor knockdown water is corrosive or toxic and should be diked for containment.Water spill: Neutralize with agricultural lime (slaked lime), crushed limestone, or sodium bicarbonate. Adjust pH to neutral (pH-7). Use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove immobilized masses of pollutants and precipitates.Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. /SRP: If time permits, pits, ponds, lagoons, soak holes, or holding areas should be sealed with an impermeable flexible membrane liner./ Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash or cement powder. Neutralize with agricultural lime, crushed limestone, or sodium bicarbonate. |
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| Nonfire spill response | Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]: |
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| Disposal methods | SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air qualitypotential migration in soil or watereffects on animal and plant lifeand conformance with environmental and public health regulations.Technology appropriate for incineration: Rotary kiln.Technology appropriate for incineration: Venturi scrubber.Neutralization & landfill: Neutralize with soda ash or soda ash-slaked lime mixture (1:1) and bury in an approved landfill. |
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| Target organs | RespiratoryEyes, skin, respiratory system |
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| Environmental fate | Aquatic Fate: While acidity may be reduced readily by natural water hardness minerals, the phosphate may persist indefinitely. |
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| Adverse effects | Dermatotoxin - Skin burns. |
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| Exposure routes | Serious local effects by all routes of exposure.inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact |
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| Toxicity summary | The CIR Expert Panel concluded that the following 31 ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics as described in this safety assessment, when formulated to be non-irritating...Phosphoric Acid...Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications |
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| Ecotoxicity excerpts | /AQUATIC SPECIES/ /A/ static open-system 96 hr acute toxicity test using Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill sunfish) /was conducted/. After a 1 wk stabilization period, the fish in four of the aquaria were subjected to increasing concentrations of each acid, so that a decremental pH series of 7.5, 5.0, 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.25 and 3.0 was established. A constant pH was maintained for each 96 hour period. The remaining aquarium remained at pH 7.5 throughout the testing regimen. The 96 hour LC50 for all acids was between pH 3.5 and 3.0. No mortality was observed until the pH reached 3.5. The data indicate that the contribution by the anions to fish toxicity is similar. Thus, the quantity (and its affect on pH) rather than the quality of the acids is the primary factor in fish toxicity. In behavioral studies also reported, lowered pH results in the bluegill becoming hypoactive with respect to swimming behavior./AQUATIC SPECIES/ The concentration of hydrogen ions which caused 50% mortality of bluegill in 96 hr was between pH 3.5 and 3.0 for sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and hydrochloric acid. Therefore, it appears that any contribution by the anions of these acids to fish toxicity is similar. Thus, the quantity rather than the quality of acids is the primary factor in fish toxicity brought about by acid precipitaiton. At sublethal concentration of acids, bluegill became hypoactive with respect to their swimming behavior./AQUATIC SPECIES/ /A/ static open-system 12 hr acute toxicity test using Daphnia magna and Daphnia pulex /was conducted/. Daphnids were exposed to various pH levels of phosphoric acids. ...The survival rate depends on the pH generated by the acid. EC50 = pH 4.6 (D. magna) and 4.1 (D. pulex)./AQUATIC SPECIES/ /A/ static open-system 12 hr acute toxicity test using Gammarus pulex (Amphipod) /was conducted/. Amphipods were exposed to various pH levels of phosphoric acids. LC50 = pH 3.4. ...The same result was observed with Gammarus fossarum./PLANTS/ Plant foliage (peas, beans, beets, rape, and weeds) were destroyed by spraying with 15-20% phosphoric acid. |
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| Signs and Symptoms | Cough. Sore throat. Burning sensation. Shortness of breath. Laboured breathing.Redness. Pain. Blisters. Serious skin burns.Redness. Pain. Severe burns.Burns in mouth and throat. Burning sensation behind the breastbone. Abdominal pain. Vomiting. Shock or collapse. |
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| ICSC Environmental Data | The substance is harmful to aquatic organisms. |
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| EPA IRIS Information | Phosphoric acidRespiratory1 x 10 ^-2 mg/m^3 |
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| Medical Surveillance | Initial medical examination: Employees should be screened for history of certain medical conditions (chronic respiratory disease, skin disease) which might place the employee at increased risk from phosphoric acid exposure. Periodic medical examination: Any employee developing impaired pulmonary function or dermatitis should be referred for further medical examination. |
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| Soil Adsorption/Mobility | When spilled onto soil, phosphoric acid will infiltrate downward, the rate being greater with lower concentration because of reduced viscosity. ... During transport through the soil, phosphoric acid will dissolve some of the soil material, in particular, carbonate-based materials. The acid will be neutralized to some degree with adsorption of the proton and phosphate ions also possible. However, significant amounts of acid will remain for transport. ... /If/ reaching the groundwater table, the acid will continue to move in the direction of groundwater flow. A contaminated plume will be produced with dilution and dispersion serving to reduce the acid concentration. |
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| Natural Pollution Sources | ... PHOSPHORIC ACID, IS A NATURAL CONSTITUENT OF MANY FRUITS AND THEIR JUICES. |
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| FIFRA requirements | Residues of phosphoric acid are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest. Use: buffer. Limit: none.Residues of the following chemical substances are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice as ingredients in an antimicrobial pesticide formulation, provided that the substance is applied on a semi-permanent or permanent food-contact surface (other than being applied on food packaging) with adequate draining before contact with food. ... (b) The following chemical substances when used as ingredients in an antimicrobial pesticide formulation may be applied to: Dairy processing equipment, and food-processing equipment and utensils. Phosphoric acid is included on this list.Residues of the following chemical substances are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice as ingredients in an antimicrobial pesticide formulation, provided that the substance is applied on a semi-permanent or permanent food-contact surface (other than being applied on food packaging) with adequate draining before contact with food. ... (c) The following chemical substances when used as ingredients in an antimicrobial pesticide formulation may be applied to: Food-processing equipment and utensils. Phosphoric acid is included on this list.Based on reviews of the generic data for the active ingredients mineral acids, the Agency has sufficient information on the health effects of mineral acids /including phosphoric acid/ and on its potential for causing adverse effects in fish and wildlife and the environment. Therefore, the Agency concludes that products, labeled and used as specified in the Reregistration Eligibility Decision, containing mineral acids for all uses except for the use of sulfuric acid on potato vines, are eligible for reregistration.As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their continued use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines newer health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether the use of the pesticide does not pose unreasonable risk in accordance to newer saftey standards, such as those described in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA '88 were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern than those on List C, and with List C containing pesticides of greater concern than those on List D. Phosphoric acid is found on List D. Case No: 4064Pesticide type: fungicide, herbicide, antimicrobialCase Status: RED Approved 2/94OPP has made a decision that some/all uses of the pesticide are eligible for reregistration, as reflected in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document .Active ingredient (AI): phosphoric acidAI Status: OPP has completed a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the case/AI. |
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| CERCLA reportable quantities | Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 5000 lb or 2270 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b). |
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| Clean Water Act requirements | Phosphoric acid is designated as a hazardous substance under section 311(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and further regulated by the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 and 1978. These regulations apply to discharges of this substance. This designation includes any isomers and hydrates, as well as any solutions and mixtures containing this substance. |
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