Chemical Sampling Information
	Sulfuric acid
Quick Links General Description Exposure Limits Health Factors Monitoring Search    [use word(s)/phrase] Table of Contents By Name A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z By CAS Number General Description Synonym: Oil of vitriol OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2310 Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 7664-93-9 NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: WS5600000 Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and guide [2008 Emergency Response Guidebook, 2.5 MB PDF]: 1830 137; 1831 137 (fuming); 1832 137 (spent) NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Sulfuric acid: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more Exposure Limits OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 1 mg/m3 OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 1 mg/m3 OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 1 mg/m3 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 1 mg/m3 TWA - Thoracic fraction (see Appendix C, Paragraph C); Appendix A2 - Suspected Human Carcinogen - Classification refers to Sulfuric acid contained in strong inorganic acid mists. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 1 mg/m3 TWA Health Factors NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 15 mg/m3 Potential symptoms: Eye, nose, throat irritation (cough, sore throat); shortness of breath, pulmonary edema; conjunctivitis; stomatitis; tracheobronchitis; dental erosion, skin, eye pain and burns; dermatitis, blisters. INGES ACUTE: abdominal pain, burning sensation; shock or collapse. Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Bronchi, Skin---Marked (HE14) Cumulative lung damage (HE10); Dental erosion (HE3) Affected organs: Respiratory system, eyes, skin, teeth Note: One of the 20 occupational fatalities reported to poison control centers in 2001 was due to Sulfuric acid inhalation. Date Last Revised: 07/18/2003 Literature Basis: International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Sulfuric acid. (fatality) Litovitz, T.L., et al.: 2001 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 20(5): 391-452, 2002. Monitoring Methods used by OSHA Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Methods: sampling media: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter (MCEF) 0.8 microns maximum volume: 480 Liters   maximum flow rate: 2.0 L/min current analytical method: Ion Chromatography; IC method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA ID-113) method classification: Partially Validated note: Submit as a separate sample. Within 1 hour after sampling, transfer the filter to a clean screw cap vial. Phosphoric and Sulfuric acid may be submitted on the same filter; otherwise, submit as a separate filter. sampling media: Treated Silica Gel Tube (Supelco ORBO-53; SKC, 226-10-03 or equivalent) maximum volume: 96 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min current analytical method: Ion Chromatography; IC method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA ID-165SG) method classification: Partially Validated note: Phosphoric, Nitric, and Sulfuric acids may be submitted on the same tube. Make sure that glass fiber filter plug is firmly in contact with silica gel before sampling and before sealing tube for shipment. On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods: device: Detector Tube manufacturer: Dräger model/type: Sulphuric Acid 1/a, order no. 67 28781 sampling information: 100 strokes upper measurement limit: 5 mg/m3 detection limit: approx. 1 mg/m3 overall uncertainty: 49% method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer) device: Detector Tube manufacturer: Gastec model/type: 35 sampling information: 10 strokes upper measurement limit: 5 mg/m3 detection limit: 0.2 mg/m3 overall uncertainty: 16% for 0.5 to 2 mg/m3, 8% for 3 to 5 mg/m3 method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer) Wipe sampling: Whatman smear tab; Solvent: Deionized water All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.