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Chemical Datasheet

SULFURIC ACID, FUMING

 8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 8014-95-7
  • 1831
  • Corrosive
  • OLM
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • OLEUM
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Thick fuming yellow liquid. Density 16.5 lb / gal. Very toxic by inhalation. Corrosive to metals and tissue, quickly causing severe burns. Used to make chemicals, dyes, explosives and in petroleum refining.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Fumes in air. Soluble in water; dissolution generates dangerous amounts of heat that can cause localized boiling and spattering of the acidic mixture and generate heavy fumes, mists. During sulfonation of mononitrobenzene with fuming sulfuric acid, a leak from an internal cooling coil permitted water to enter the reaction tank. A violent eruption occurred due to the heat of solution [MCA Case History 944(1963)].
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic and irritating vapors are generated. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Acid mist is irritating to eyes, nose and throat. Liquid causes severe burns of skin and eyes. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
SULFURIC ACID, FUMING reacts as a strong acid, as an oxidizing agent and as a dehydrating agent. Chars wood, sugar and many other organic materials on contact. The heat from these reactions may ignite the wood, sugar or organic matter. May react explosively with acetic acid, acetic anhydride, acetonitrile, acrolein, acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, allyl alcohol, allyl chloride, ammonium hydroxide, aniline, cresol, butyraldehyde, cumene, ethyl acetate, ethylene diamine, ethylene glycol, glyoxal, isoprene, isopropyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, propylene oxide, pyridine, styrene, vinyl acetate; strong bases (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide) or mineral acids (nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid) [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 1195]. Mixing in equal molar portions with any of the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: 2-aminoethanol, ammonium hydroxide (28%), chlorosulfonic acid, ethylenediamine, ethyleneimine, ethylene cyanohydrin, hydrochloric acid (36%), hydrofluoric acid (48.7%), isopropyl alcohol, nitric acid (70%), 2-nitropropane, propiolactone, propylene oxide, pyridine, styrene monomer, sodium hydroxide, sulfolane, vinyl acetate, vinylidene chloride [NFPA 1991]. Extremely hazardous in contact with carbides, bromates, chlorates, fulminates, picrates, and powdered metals. May induce violent polymerization in polymerizable organic compounds such as allyl chloride. Reacts exothermically with sodium hypochlorite to produce chlorine gas.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 137 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Water-Reactive - Corrosive]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1831 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 137 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Water-Reactive - Corrosive]:

When material is not involved in fire, do not use water on material itself.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

LARGE FIRE: Flood fire area with large quantities of water, while knocking down vapors with water fog. If insufficient water supply, responders should withdraw.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not get water inside containers. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 137 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Water-Reactive - Corrosive]:

Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors; do not put water directly on leak, spill area or inside container. Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Respirator approved for acid mists; rubber gloves; splashproof goggles; eyewash fountain and safety shower; rubber footwear; face shield. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Oleum (103% (13% free SO3)) 8014-95-7 Liquid 230 >480
Oleum (20% free SO3) 8014-95-7 Liquid 60 >480 >480 15*/59 >480
Oleum (30% free SO3) 8014-95-7 Liquid >480 >480
Oleum (40% free SO3) 8014-95-7 Liquid 455*/468 imm*/12 >480 >480 >480
Oleum (65% free SO3) 8014-95-7 Liquid 15 248 >480
Sulfuric acid fuming (103% (13% free SO3)) 8014-95-7 Liquid 230 >480
Sulfuric acid fuming (20% free SO3) 8014-95-7 Liquid 60 >480 >480 15*/59 >480
Sulfuric acid fuming (30% free SO3) 8014-95-7 Liquid >480 >480
Sulfuric acid fuming (40% free SO3) 8014-95-7 Liquid 455*/468 imm*/12 >480 >480 >480
Sulfuric acid fuming (65% free SO3) 8014-95-7 Liquid 15 248 >480
> indicates greater than.
"imm" indicates immediate; having a normalized breakthrough time of 10 minutes or less.
* indicates based on lowest single value.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
INGESTION: have victim drink water or milk; do NOT induce vomiting.

EYES: flush with plenty of water for at least 15 min.; call a doctor.

SKIN: flush with plenty of water. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • H2SO4.SO3
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: Not flammable (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.91 to 1.97 at 59°F (USCG, 1999)
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for Oleum (8014-95-7)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 0.2 mg/m3 8.7 mg/m3 270 mg/m3
30 minutes 0.2 mg/m3 8.7 mg/m3 200 mg/m3
60 minutes 0.2 mg/m3 8.7 mg/m3 160 mg/m3
4 hours 0.2 mg/m3 8.7 mg/m3 110 mg/m3
8 hours 0.2 mg/m3 8.7 mg/m3 93 mg/m3
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Sulfuric Acid (Oleum [8014-95-7], Sulfur Trioxide [7446-11-9], and Sulfuric Acid [7664-93-9]) 2 mg/m3 star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 10 mg/m3 120 mg/m3
star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Oleum; (fuming Sulfuric acid) (8014-95-7) 0.2 mg/m3 8.7 mg/m3 160 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code		 EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ		 EPCRA 304
EHS RQ		 CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI		 RCRA
Code		 CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Oleum (fuming sulfuric acid) 8014-95-7 1000 pounds 10000 pounds
Sulfuric acid (fuming) 8014-95-7 1000 pounds 10000 pounds
Sulfuric acid, mixture with sulfur trioxide 8014-95-7 1000 pounds 10000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue		 Min Conc STQ Security
Issue		 Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric acid); [Sulfuric acid, mixture with sulfur trioxide] 8014-95-7 1.00 % 10000 pounds toxic

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Oleum (65% to 80% by weight; also called Fuming Sulfuric Acid) 8014-95-7 1000 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names