UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Table of Contents
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/39_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Page
1. Chemical Product
2. Composition and Information on Ingredients
3. Hazards Identification
4. First Aid Measures
5. Fire and Explosion Data
6. Accidental Release Measures
7. Handling and Storage
8. Exposure Controls/ Personal Protection
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
10. Stability and Reactivity Data
11. Toxicological Information
12. Ecological Information
13. Disposal Considerations
14. References
15. Appendices
16. Revision History
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UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/39_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
1.
Chemical Product
Product Name: Hydrochloric acid
Chemical name: Hydrochloric acid
Synonyms: Muriatic Acid, Aqueous Hydrogen chloride
Chemical Formula: HCl.H2O
2.
Composition and Information on Ingredients
Composition:
Hydrogen chloride 20-38%
Water 62-80%
Toxicological Data on Ingredients: Not applicable
3.
Hazards Identification
Potential Acute Health Effects:
If inhaled, mists can cause corrosive action on mucous membranes which would result in
burning, choking, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache or nausea.
On contact with the eyes severe damage will occur resulting in burns and watering eyes.
Permanent damage to cornea may result.
On contact with the skin severe and rapid corrosion occurs, resulting in burning, itching,
redness, inflammation and/or swelling of exposed tissues.
If ingested, severe and rapid corrosive burns of the mouth, gullet and gastrointestinal tract
occurs causing burning, choking, nausea, vomiting and severe pain.
Potential Chronic Health Effects: Severe over-exposure can result in death. The substance
may be toxic to kidneys, liver, mucous membranes, upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes,
circulatory system and teeth.
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not applicable
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not applicable
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UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/39_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: May cause adverse reproductive effects (fetotoxicity). May
affect genetic material.
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not applicable
4.
First Aid Measures
General measures:
Skin contact: Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and cover
the irritated skin with an emollient. Get medical attention immediately.
Serious skin contact: Wash with a disinfectant soap and cover the contaminated skin with
an anti-bacterial cream. Seek immediate medical attention.
Eye contact: Remove any contact lenses and immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for
at least 15minutes. Get medical attention immediately.
Ingestion: Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. Wash out mouth
with water and give a glass of water or milk and do not induce vomiting unless directed to do
so by medical personnel. Get medical attention immediately.
Serious ingestion: Not applicable
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air and if not breathing, give artificial respiration or if breathing
is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention immediately.
Serious inhalation: Evacuate the victim to a safe area as soon as possible and afterwards
loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. If breathing is difficult,
administer oxygen or if the victim is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
only if directed to do so by medical personnel since it may be hazardous to the person
providing aid to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when the inhaled material is toxic,
infectious or corrosive.
Page 3 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/39_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
5.
Fire and Explosion Data
Flammability of the Product: Non-flammable
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Not applicable
Flash points: Not applicable
Flammable limits: Not applicable
Products of Combustion: Not applicable
Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: In presence of metals
Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Non-explosive in presence of open
flames, sparks and shocks
Fire fighting media and Instructions: Wear self-contained, approved breathing apparatus
and full protective clothing, including eye protection and boots.
Special Remarks on Fire Hazards: Emits toxic fumes in the presence of fire. Non
combustible. Calcium carbide reacts with hydrogen chloride gas with incandescence.
Uranium phosphide reacts with hydrochloric acid to release spontaneously flammable
phosphine. Rubidium acetylene carbides burns with slightly warm hydrochloric acid.
Lithium silicide in contact with hydrogen chloride becomes incandescent. When dilute
hydrochloric acid is used, gas spontaneously flammable in air is evolved. Magnesium boride
treated with concentrated hydrochloric acid produces spontaneously flammable gas. Cesium
acetylene carbide burns hydrogen chloride gas. Cesium carbide ignites in contact with
hydrochloric acid unless acid is dilute. Hydrochloric acid reacts with most metals to produce
flammable hydrogen gas.
Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards:
When hydrochloric acid comes in contact with the following can cause an explosion, ignition
on contact, or other violent/vigorous reaction: Aluminum-titanium alloys (with HCl vapour),
2-Amino ethanol, Ammonium hydroxide, Magnesium boride, Mercuric sulfate, Oleum,
Potassium permanganate, beta-Propiolactone Propylene oxide, Rubidium carbide, Rubidium,
acetylene carbide Sodium (with aqueous HCl), Sodium hydroxide, Sodium tetraselenium,
Sulfonic acid, Tetraselenium tetranitride, Vinyl acetate.
Page 4 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/39_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
6.
Accidental Release Measures
NB: Wear appropriate protective equipment/clothing including gloves before removing
any spills.
Small spills: Ventilate area. Dilute with water and mop up, or absorb with an inert dry
material and dispose of accordingly. Neutralise the residue with a dilute solution of sodium
carbonate.
Large spill: Ventilate area. Stop leak, if it does not pose a risk, by absorbing it with dry
earth, sand or other non-combustible material. Neutralise the residue with a dilute solution of
sodium carbonate.
7.
Handling and Storage
Precautions: Keep locked up in a dry container and away from incompatibles such as
oxidising agents, organic materials and alkalis. Do not ingest or breathe gas/fumes/
vapour/spray. Never add water to this product.
Storage: Keep in a tightly closed container which is stored in a cool, well-ventilated area.
8.
Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
TWA: 1 STEL: 5 (ppm) [United Kingdom (UK)]
TWA: 2 STEL: 8 (mg/m3) [United Kingdom(UK)]
Engineering Controls: Provide exhaust ventilation and ensure that eyewash stations and
safety showers are proximal to the work-station location.
Personal Protection: Face shield, full suit, an approved/certified respirator or equivalent,
rubber gloves, boots, splash goggles, a self contained breathing apparatus should be used to
avoid inhalation of the product.
9.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical state and appearance: Colourless to light yellow liquid
Odour: Pungent, irritating (strong)
Taste: Not applicable
Molecular Weight: 36.5g
Page 5 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/39_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
pH (5% solution/water): 0.01
Boiling Point:
108.58°C @ 760 mmHg (for 20.22% HCl in water)
83°C @ 760 mmHg (for 31% HCl in water)
50.5°C (for 37% HCl in water)
Melting Point:
-62.25°C (-80°F) (20.69% HCl in water)
-46.2°C (31.24% HCl in water)
-25.4°C (39.17% HCl in water)
Critical Temperature: Not applicable
Specific Gravity (Water = 1): 1.1- 1.19
Vapour Pressure (mmHg): 16 kPa (@ 20°C) average
Vapour Density: 1.267 (Air = 1)
Volatility: Not applicable
Odour Threshold: 0.25 to 10 ppm
Water/Oil Distribution Coefficient: Not applicable
Ionicity (in Water): Not applicable
Dispersion Properties: Not applicable
Solubility: Soluble in cold water, hot water and diethyl ether
10.
Stability and Reactivity Data
Stability: Stable
Corrosivity: Extremely corrosive in presence of aluminium, copper and stainless steel but
non-corrosive in presence of glass. It attacks nearly all metals (mercury, gold, platinum,
tantalum, silver and certain alloys are exceptions). Severe corrosive effect on brass and
bronze.
Instability temperature: Not applicable
Conditions of Instability: Incompatible materials, heat and direct sunlight.
Incompatibles: Highly reactive with metals, reactive with oxidising agents, organic
materials, alkalis, water.
Polymerization: Not applicable
Page 6 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/39_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
11.
Toxicological Information
Toxicity to animals:
Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 900 mg/kg [Rabbit].
Acute toxicity of the vapour (LC50): 1108 ppm, 1 hours [Mouse].
Acute toxicity of the vapour (LC50): 3124 ppm, 1 hours [Rat].
Effects on humans:
Acute potential health effects: May cause damage to the kidneys, liver, mucous
membranes, upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes, circulatory system, teeth.
Chronic potential health effects:
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not applicable
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: May cause adverse reproductive effects (fetotoxicity). May
affect genetic material.
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not applicable
Other information: Not applicable
12.
Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity: It is expected to be toxic to aquatic life.
13.
Disposal Considerations
Waste Disposal: What is not recycled must be handled as hazardous waste and sent to an
approved incinerator or disposed in an approved waste facility. Small amounts can be diluted
in water and disposed of as non-hazardous waste. Always add acid TO water!
14.
References
- ScienceLab.com. Material Safety Data Sheet; Hydrochloric Acid. [online]. 2013 [cited on
2013
2
Dec].
Available
from:
URL:
https://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924285
- BDH. Material Safety Data Sheet; Hydrochloric Acid. [online]. 2005 [cited on 2013 Nov
2]. Available from: URL: http://kni.caltech.edu/facilities/msds/HCl.pdf
Page 7 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/39_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
- Material Safety Data Sheet; Hydrochloric Acid 37% Solution. [online]. 2000 [2013 Nov
2]. Available from: URL: http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/msds/hcl.htm
- Hydrochloric Acid, 33-40%. [online]. 1999 [2013 Nov 2]. Available from: URL:
http://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/majors/msdsfiles/msdshcl.htm
15.
Appendices
Not applicable
16.
Revision History
Version Number
Amendments/ Reasons for change
01
Initial Release
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