Aluminum Sulfate

Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

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

Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer for medical attention .

INHALATION: rinse nose and mouth with water.

Call for medical aid.

If material involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.)

Stop flow of liquid before extinguishing fire. Use dry chemical or carbon dioxide. DO NOT use water as straight stream directly on spilled material. Water fog can be used to control fire. DO NOT use halogenated extinguishing agents on spilled material. Violent reaction may result. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Fight fire from protected location or maximum possible distance. /Aluminum Alkyls/

Ambient /Octadecohydrate/

Extremely reactive with air, moisture and compounds containing active hydrogen and therefore must be kept under a blanket of inert gas. /Aluminum alkyls/

In general, materials ... toxic as stored or which can decompose into toxic components ... Should be stored in cool ... ventilated place, out of ... sun, away from ... fire hazard ... be periodically inspected and monitored. Incompatible materials should be isolated ...

All possibility of contact with water must be avoided. Solution containing not more than 20% of these compounds in non-reactive solvents, however, can be handled without risk of spontaneous ignition. /Aluminum alkyls/

For more Storage Conditions (Complete) data for ALUMINUM SULFATE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Environmental considerations: 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./ Cover solids with a plastic sheet to prevent dissolving in rain or fire fighting water.

Personnel protection: Keep upwind. ... Avoid breathing vapors or dusts. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water.

Environmental considerations: Water spill: Neutralize with agricultural lime (CaO), crushed limestone (CaCO3), or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove immobilized masses of pollutants and precipitates.

Aluminum compounds are treated under anhydrous conditions to prevent violent reactions, recover solvent, and form Al compounds suitable for landfill by reaction with anhydrous hydrolysis agent, eg calcium hydroxide. /Aluminum compounds/

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure 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 quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Aluminum sulfate: Pretreatment involves hydrolysis, followed by neutralization with sodium hydroxide.

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Sweep spilled substance into covered plastic containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Store and dispose of according to local regulations.

If material not involved in fire: Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary.

Personnel protection: Keep upwind. ... Avoid breathing vapors or dusts. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced. /Aluminum (soluble salts and alkyls, as Al)/

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for ALUMINUM SULFATE (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

EYES: irrigate opened eyes for several minutes under running water. INGESTION: do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water (never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person). Seek immediate medical advice. SKIN: should be treated immediately by rinsing the affected parts in cold running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by thorough washing with soap and water. If necessary, the person should shower and change contaminated clothing and shoes, and then must seek medical attention. INHALATION: supply fresh air. If required provide artificial respiration.

... Aluminum was added to the freshwater tanks as aluminum sulfate and the pH of the tank was adjusted slowly as necessary to avoid localization of the acid. The tanks were then allowed to equilibrate and 20 fish /golden shiners/ were placed in each tank. At pH 4.5 and 5.0 + 100 ppm aluminum, all fish died within a few hr. With total aluminum concn of 10 ppm and 100 ppm and pH 4.5 and 5.0, it appeared that the aluminum and the acid had a synergistic effect. Visual inspection of the fish showed that the aluminum interacted with the gills, which may have caused suffocation. It is possible that some chemical forms of aluminum are more toxic than others. Suspended clay (aluminum silicate) does not appear to be toxic, but in acid solution, aluminum ion is released, which may be toxic. ...

Four cultivars of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cvs. Gulf, Marshall, Urbana, and Wilo) were grown in nutrient solution (pH 4.2 at 0 and 74 uM aluminum). Following a 30 min equilibration period after seeds were exposed to aluminum on day 10 after germination, total and monomeric aluminum concn were 78 + or - 6 and 69 + or - 5 um, respectively. Cations were desorbed from the Donnan free space of roots of 15, 23, and 35 day old plants using barium chloride, barium chloride triethanolamine, ammonium acetate, and potassium chloride. (The ability of desorbents to displace cations varied widely for the desorbent effect). Barium chloride triethanolamine showed the greatest ability to displace aluminum cations from the Donnan free space, while NH4+ did not displace detectable amounts of aluminum +3. The amounts of aluminum +3 displaced by barium +2 and potassium +1 from aluminum treated roots were larger in younger than in older roots. Aluminum considerably decr the amount of desorbed divalent cations (calcium +2, magnesium +2) and increased the amount of desorbed potassium +1 and sodium +1. /Aluminum sulfate octadecahydrate/

Aluminum targets the nervous system and causes decreased nervous system performance and is associated with altered function of the blood-brain barrier. The accumulation of aluminum in the body may cause bone or brain diseases. High levels of aluminum have been linked to Alzheimer's disease. A small percentage of people are allergic to aluminium and experience contact dermatitis, digestive disorders, vomiting or other symptoms upon contact or ingestion of products containing aluminium. (L739, L740)

EC50 Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (Blue-green algae; decreased nitrogen fixation ability) >25 mg/L/1.5 hr and 22 hr; static /technical product/

EC50 Asellus aquaticus (Aquatic sowbug; intoxication/immobilization) 6570 ug/L/48 hr (95% confidence interval: 5050-7760 ug/L); renewal /technical product/

EC50 Asellus aquaticus (Aquatic sowbug; intoxication/immobilization) 4370 ug/L/72 hr (95% confidence interval: 870-5390 ug/L); renewal /technical product/

EC50 Crangonyx pseudogracilis (Amphipod; intoxication/immobilization) 12800 ug/L/48 hr (95% confidence interval: 11800-14000 ug/L); renewal /technical product/

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for ALUMINUM SULFATE (22 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.

Oral (L739) ; inhalation (L739)

The main target organs of aluminum are the central nervous system and bone. Aluminum binds with dietary phosphorus and impairs gastrointestinal absorption of phosphorus. The decreased phosphate body burden results in osteomalacia (softening of the bones due to defective bone mineralization) and rickets. Aluminum's neurotoxicity is believed to involve several mechanisms. Changes in cytoskeletal protein functions as a results of altered phosphorylation, proteolysis, transport, and synthesis are believed to be one cause. Aluminum may induce neurobehavioral effects by affecting permeability of the blood-brain barrier, cholinergic activity, signal transduction pathways, lipid peroxidation, and impair neuronal glutamate nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway, as well as interfere with metabolism of essential trace elements because of similar coordination chemistries and consequent competitive interactions. It has been suggested that aluminum's interaction with estrogen receptors increases the expression of estrogen-related genes and thereby contributes to the progression of breast cancer (A235), but studies have not been able to establish a clear link between aluminum and increased risk of breast cancer (A15468). Certain aluminum salts induce immune responses by activating inflammasomes. (L739, A235, A236)

/BIRDS and MAMMALS/ ... The effects of aluminum or acid on growth-related hormones were compared in mallard ducklings: growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). Birds received two levels of acid: sulfuric acid (0.056 or 0.277 moles sulfate per kg) or aluminum sulfate (0.1 or 0.5% aluminum; 0.056 or 0.277 moles sulfate per kg). Two sodium sulfate (0.056 or 0.277 moles sulfate per kg) treatment groups were added as additional controls, and a group was given control diet ad libitum. Ducklings were fed the test diets for 15 days. In addition, there were pair-fed controls to the acid and aluminum diets. Growth as indicated by body weight, average daily gain, and tibiotarsus length was reduced (p < 0.05) in ducklings on the high aluminum diet compared to those fed control diets.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ The acute and chronic toxicity of aluminum sulfate to Ceriodaphnia dubia larvae and juveniles were examined in static renewal tests. The live offspring of Ceriodaphnia dubia in seven day test ranged from 34.2 to 8.2 for 0 to 100% effluent, respectively. Delayed brood release and significant reductions in Ceriodaphnia dubia reproduction observed in 100% effluent were likely due to the combined effects of reductions in pH and dissolved oxygen concentration, physical stress due to high levels of suspended solids, and possibly, the presence of aqueous aluminum.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ ...Freshwater benthic algal populations /were exposed/ to aluminium concentrations of 50, 100 and 500 ug Al/L (as aluminium sulfate) at pH 4.8 in artificial streams. During the 28-day test, aluminium in acidified water inhibited the abundance of diatoms and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) more than the acidity alone. Aluminium decreased chlorophyll abundance beyond the effects of acidity alone at 500 ug/L.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ The egg and fry stages of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were exposed to 0, 50, 100, 200, or 300 ug/L aluminum (as aluminum sulfate) in soft water at various pH levels (3.8 to 6.0). For both fry stages of brook trout, survival at pH 4.8 was reduced when 200 ug/L were added and at pH 4.2 survival was lower at all aluminum concentrations compared to controls. Mortality was not confined to the exposure period and often continued after transfer to control water following short term exposure of eggs and fry. In general an additional 15 to 30% of cleavage eggs died following exposure. In another experiment, groups of 10 swim-up fry lake and brook trout were exposed to 0, 100, 300, and 1000 ug/L aluminum for 6, 24, 50, or 120 hr at pH 3.8, 4.0, 4.2, or 4.4. Single episodes of exposure required extreme combinations of pH, aluminum or time to produce significant mortality of fry. At pH 3.8, mortality of brook trout was mostly confined to the post exposure period and addition of aluminum improved survival over that in controls. Aluminum lethality of brook trout was apparent within 50 hr at pH 4.0 and post-exposure mortality was confined to aluminum treatments. For brook trout, addition of 1000 ug/L aluminum produced substantial mortality following 24 hr at pH 4.4 (approx 25% at 24 hr, to 95% at 120 hr).

Cough. Sore throat.

Redness.

Redness. Burns.

Burning sensation in the throat and chest. Abdominal pain. Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhoea.

Inhalating aluminum dust causes coughing and abnormal chest X-rays. A small percentage of people are allergic to aluminium and experience contact dermatitis, digestive disorders, vomiting or other symptoms upon contact or ingestion of products containing aluminium. (L739, L740)

Occurs in nature as mineral alunogenite.

THE CRUDE LUMP ALUM AS IT OCCURS WITH EARTH ATTACHED HAS BEEN KNOWN AS ROCK ALUMINUM (ALUMEN RUPEUM) AND AS ROMAN ALUMINUM. /ALUM/

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ ...The exposures of workers engaged in the synthesis of the simple aluminum sulfate salt /were reported/. ...Exposures were poorly controlled as a result of start-up problems, and atmospheric exposure concentrations ranged form 0-53 mg/cu m as dusts with 25-30% in the respirable range. The employees manifested nocturnal wheezing and breathlessness characteristic of occupational asthma. This reversible airway obstruction persisted despite 2-5 years of nonexposure (mean=41 months) in 11 of the 19 workers initially affected. The similarity of these cases of reversible obstructive airway disease or occupational asthma cases to those seen in aluminum smelters is noteworthy. However, the occupational asthma syndrome is not uncommon, as it has been reported consequent to other irritant metal salt exposures, such as from chromates, platinum, nickel, and vanadium.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ ...Simpler salts, such as... the simple sulfate, are capable of evoking irritant effects at biological interfaces. Even here, such effects usually require relatively large dosing or protracted skin contact; when they ar inhaled, irritation can also be seen at higher doses, particularly with respirable particulate sizes.

/CASE REPORTS/ ...On two occasions the ingestion of 30 g /of aluminum/ has killed an adult human. Death is probably due to the corrosive action of the sulfuric acid formed by hydrolysis of the salt.

/CASE REPORTS/ In one plant where the carbon (electrode) plant was separate from the potroom, electrode workers had greater reduction in /forced expiratory volume in one second/ (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) than potroom workers. In another, after only 4 months' exposure to aluminum, fluoride, and sulfate, nocturnal wheezing, breathlessness, and reversible airways obstruction were found with increased methacholine sensitivity (17 of 19 workers suffered air flow obstruction after inhaling 0.1% methacholine). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from potroom workers contained more fibronectin, albumin, and hyaluronon and less angiotensin-converting enzyme than fluid from unexposed men.

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for ALUMINUM SULFATE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Aluminum sulfate used for multiple purposes in food for human consumption is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice.

Aluminum sulfate 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.

Drug products containing certain active ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for certain uses. A number of active ingredients have been present in OTC drug products for various uses, as described below. However, based on evidence currently available, there are inadequate data to establish general recognition of the safety and effectiveness of these ingredients for the specified uses: aluminum sulfate is included in antiperspirant and topical antifungal drug products.

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 future use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether they are eligible for reregistration. In addition, all pesticides must meet the new safety standard of 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 and List D pesticides of less concern. Aluminum sulfate is found on List D. Case No: 4007; Pesticide type: herbicide, antimicrobial; Case Status: No products containing the pesticide are actively registered. Therefore ... "cancelled." Under FIFRA, pesticide producers may voluntarily cancel their registered products. EPA also may cancel pesticide registrations if registrants fail to pay required fees or make/meet certain reregistration commitments, or if EPA reaches findings of unreasonable adverse effects.; Active ingredient (AI): aluminum sulfate; AI Status: The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered products ... "cancelled."

Aluminum sulfate is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a safener adjuvant in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops only.

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; In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (202) 426-2675. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).

Aluminum sulfate 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.

(AZ) ARIZONA 73 ug/l /Aluminum/

(CA) CALIFORNIA 200 ug/l /Aluminum/

(ME) MAINE 1430 ug/l /Aluminum/

Used for tanning leather, sizing paper, dyeing textiles (mordant), purifying water, treating sewage, manufacturing (lakes, aluminum resinate, aluminum salts, soaps, cosmetics), fireproofing and waterproofing cloth, clarifying oils and fats, waterproofing concrete, controlling pH of soil, and deodorizing/decolorizing petroleum; Also used in antiperspirants, agricultural pesticides, lubricants, food additives, and catalysts to make ethane; [HSDB]

Petroleum Production and Refining [Category: Industry]

An early step in the treatment of raw water ... Either aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride proved a good primary flocculant for virus removal.

The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered products ... "cancelled."

For aluminum sulfate (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 013906) there are 0 labels match. /SRP: Not registered for current use in the U.S., but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./

Tanning leather, sizing paper, mordant in dyeing; purifying water; manufacture lakes, aluminum resinate; fireproofing and waterproofing cloth; clarifying oils and fats; treating sewage; waterproofing concrete; deodorizing and decolorizing petroleum; antiperspirants; agricultural pesticides; manufacture of aluminum salts.

(1977) 6.00X10+9 GRAMS

(1979) 1.40X10+10 GRAMS

(1985) 5.70X10+9 g

(1977) 9.00X10+9 GRAMS

(1979) 1.20X10+10 GRAMS

(1985) 4.57X10+10 g

2023: 2,500,000,000 - <4,000,000,000 lb

(1977) 7.13X10+11 GRAMS

(1979) 7.40X10+11 GRAMS

(1984) 2.16 billion lb

(1983) 2.21 billion lb

For more U.S. Production (Complete) data for ALUMINUM SULFATE (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Coagulant for water and waste treatment, 65% (pulp and paper industry, 15%; other industries, 50%); rosin size precipitant for paper, 35%; other, less than 1% (1981)

Water & waste treatment, - potable, 25%, - waste & sewage, 20%, - pulp and paper, 10%; papermaking, - paper, 20% - paper board, 20%; miscellaneous, 5% (1984) /estimate/

In Germany and most European countries, aluminum sulfate is produced on a large scale only from aluminum hydroxide and sulfuric acid by the Giulini process.

Acid digestion of predominately silicon-rich raw materials gives a solution of aluminum sulfate. The purity depends on the process and starting materials. Iron, which strongly interferes, is precipitated with calcium hexacyanoferrate(II) as Berlin blue (iron hexacyanoferrate (II)), with calcium sulfide as iron sulfide, or by hydrolysis as basic iron sulfate. ... The clear solution is decanted and sold as a liquid or concentrated to 61.5 deg Baume, allowed to solidify, and milled. The final product, which contains about 0.5% Fe2O3 and 0.1% insoluble material, is the technical grade.

By reacting freshly precipitated aluminum hydroxide with appropriate quantity of sulfuric acid. Resulting solution is evaporated and allowed to crystallize.

Treating pure kaolin or aluminum hydroxide or bauxite with sulfuric acid. The insoluble silic acid is removed by filtration and the sulfate is obtained by crystallization. Similarly, from waste coal mining shale and sulfuric acid.

Grades: iron-free; technical; CP; USP /United States Pharmacopeia/; FCC /food chemicals codex/; a liquid form (49.7 water) is also available.

Article of commerce usually contains 5 to 10% less water than theory. /Aluminum sulfate octadecahydrate/

Ground & powder, food grade, and commercial.

The commercial grade is available both as a lump or granular solid containing 17.0-17.5% aluminum oxide (57% aluminum sulfate) and as a solution containing 7.5-8.5% aluminum oxide.

Commercial product is known as cake alum or patent alum. It is about 99.5% pure. /Aluminum sulfate octadecahydrate/

Information on 14 consumer products that contain Aluminum sulfate anhydrous in the following categories is provided:

Information on 3 consumer products that contain Aluminum sulfate in the following categories is provided:

Food additives

Food Additives -> FIRMING_AGENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Cosmetics -> Antiperspirant; Deodorant

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