Material Safety Data Sheet — Hydrochloric Acid

Identification

Product Name: Hydrochloric Acid
Other Names: Muriatic Acid, Spirits of Salt
Chemical Formula: HCl (Aqueous Solution)
CAS Number: 7647-01-0
Recommended Use: pH adjustment, metal cleaning, food processing, mineral processing
Supplier Information: Manufacturer/Supplier contact details required on actual MSDS
Emergency Telephone: Emergency number provided by local regulatory body or supplier

Hazard Identification

Classification: Corrosive to metals; Skin corrosion/irritation; Serious eye damage/eye irritation; Acute toxicity (oral, inhalation)
Label Elements: Corrosive pictogram (GHS05), Danger signal word
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, harmful if swallowed, reacts violently with water, releases toxic gas on contact with metals and some chemicals
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors, wear protective gear, handle only in well-ventilated locations, do not ingest or allow contact with skin or eyes

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Component: Hydrochloric Acid
Concentration: Typically ranges from 10% to 37% (w/w) aqueous solution
CAS Number: 7647-01-0
Other Ingredients: Water (CAS: 7732-18-5, balance to 100%)
Impurities: Commercial grades may contain trace chlorinated organics or metal ions, not present in pure analytical grade

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air, call medical help immediately, assist breathing as needed
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, flush skin for at least 15 minutes with running water, seek immediate medical attention
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, keep rinsing, seek urgent medical care
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, never give anything by mouth to a person who is unconscious, rinse mouth with water if possible, get emergency medical assistance

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide for nearby fire; hydrochloric acid itself does not burn
Specific Hazards: Under fire conditions, releases toxic and corrosive gases including hydrogen chloride and possibly chlorine
Protective Equipment: Firefighters must use full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus
Thermal Hazards: Reaction with metals in fire incident may generate explosive hydrogen gas

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Isolate spill area, evacuate unprotected personnel, avoid inhaling fumes, wear chemical splash goggles, gloves, face shield, resist chemical exposure
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from leaking into drains, waterways or soil
Methods for Clean Up: Neutralize with sodium bicarbonate or lime for small spills, use inert absorbent for larger spills, collect resulting material in suitable non-metal container, ventilate area thoroughly, decontaminate equipment after cleanup

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid splashing, only use in areas with good ventilation or local exhaust, prevent contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, keep container tightly closed when not in use, use only appropriate chemical-resistant equipment
Storage: Store in corrosion-resistant containers, away from incompatible substances such as bases, oxidizers, amines, metals, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, keep away from direct sunlight and moisture, ensure clearly labeled containers, secondary containment recommended for bulk quantities, do not store with organic materials or food items

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 5 ppm Ceiling; ACGIH TLV: 2 ppm Ceiling
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or process enclosure to keep airborne levels below limits
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (neoprene, PVC), impervious apron, full faceshield or goggles, respiratory protection (acid gas cartridge or supplied-air respirator) where vapors exceed exposure limits, emergency eyewash and safety showers nearby
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before meals and after handling, do not eat, drink or smoke in work area, keep work area clean and uncluttered

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to slightly yellow aqueous liquid
Odor: Pungent, irritating
pH: Less than 1 for concentrated solution
Melting Point: -27°C (for 37% solution)
Boiling Point: Around 110°C for concentrated solutions
Density: 1.15–1.19 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: 20–40 mm Hg at 20°C (depends on concentration)
Solubility: Completely miscible with water
Flash Point: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not determined
Other Properties: Strongly corrosive, reacts exothermically with water, emits hydrogen chloride vapor

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions if stored correctly
Reactivity: Attacks common metals to evolve hydrogen gas, reacts violently with alkalis, many oxidizers, and some organic materials
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Generates heat and toxic vapors when mixed with water or incompatible substances, forms toxic chlorine gas with hypochlorites or permanganates
Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, chlorine gas in presence of oxidizing agents
Conditions to Avoid: Excess heat, incompatibles, open flames, direct sunlight, moisture

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Inhalation causes coughing, choking, inflammation, pulmonary edema, and burns
Skin Corrosion: Severe burns and ulceration possible, pain, redness, blisters on contact
Eye Damage: Severe irritation, potential blindness
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure causes dermatitis, tooth erosion, respiratory tract damage
Ingestion Effects: Burns to mouth, esophagus, stomach, pain, nausea, vomiting, risk of death

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms by changing pH of water bodies, fish kills in concentrated release events
Environmental Fate: Reacts quickly and disperses in water and soil to form chloride ions, acidifies soil and water
Bioaccumulation: Not expected due to high solubility and rapid ionization
Persistence: Does not persist as acid, but long-term acidification and chloride impact can affect local ecosystems

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Neutralize carefully with alkaline material before discharge to sewer in accordance with local regulations, larger quantities require licensed chemical disposal
Container Disposal: Decontaminate and recycle empty containers where possible, follow local hazardous waste procedures for non-recyclable containers
Special Precautions: Prevent release to environment, avoid mixing with incompatible materials during waste handling, comply strictly with relevant disposal regulations and permit requirements

Transport Information

UN Number: UN1789
Shipping Name: Hydrochloric Acid Solution
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: II or III depending on concentration
Label Requirements: Corrosive label
Regulatory Bodies: DOT, IATA, IMDG
Special Transport Considerations: Protect against physical damage, keep upright, ensure secure closure, emergency information sheet accessible during transport

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Classified as hazardous; strict workplace safety rules apply
EPA: Listed on TSCA Inventory, subject to CERCLA reporting if released above threshold quantity
State Regulations: Hydrochloric acid included in numerous state right-to-know lists
International Regulations: Controlled substance under international transport and workplace standards (GHS/CLP/REACH)
Other Requirements: Comprehensive labeling and recordkeeping, adherence to hazard communication standards, training for all personnel handling concentrated acid solutions