OXALIC ACID

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
1 3 0	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	1	Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
	Instability	0	Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
	Special

Odorless white solid. Sinks and mixes with water. (USCG, 1999)

none

Water soluble. Hygroscopic

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Generates poisonous gases (USCG, 1999)

As dust or as a solution, can cause severe burns of eyes, skin, or mucous membranes. Ingestion of 5 grams has caused death with symptoms of nausea, shock, collapse, and convulsions coming on rapidly. Repeated or prolonged skin exposure can cause dermatitis and slow-healing ulcers. (USCG, 1999)

OXALIC ACID is hygroscopic and sensitive to heat. This compound may react violently with furfuryl alcohol, silver, sodium, perchlorate, sodium hypochlorite, strong oxidizers, sodium chlorite, acid chlorides, metals and alkali metals. (NTP, 1992). The heating of mixtures of Oxalic acid and urea has lead to explosions. This is due to the rapid generation of the gases CO2, CO, and NH3 [Praxis Naturwiss. Chem., 1987, 36(8), 41-42]. Oxalic acid and urea react at high temperatures to form toxic and flammable ammonia and carbon monoxide gases, and inert CO2 gas [Von Bentzinger, R. et al., Praxis Naturwiss. Chem., 1987, 36(8), 41-42].

• Acids, Carboxylic

No information available.

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

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: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

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)

Fires involving this compound may be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)

Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Lime or soda ash (USCG, 1999)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Oxalic acid:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.

Provide: EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection. (NIOSH, 2023)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Ethane dioic acid (10.5%)	144-62-7	Liquid							>480	>480	>480
Ethane dioic acid (sat)	144-62-7	Liquid				>480	>480	>480
Oxalic acid (10.5%)	144-62-7	Liquid							>480	>480	>480
Oxalic acid (sat)	144-62-7	Liquid				>480	>480	>480

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)

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Corrosive chemicals will destroy the membranes of the mouth, throat, and esophagus and, in addition, have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Transport the victim IMMEDIATELY to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

• AKTISAL
• AQUISAL
• ETHANEDIOIC ACID
• ETHANEDIONIC ACID
• NCI-55209
• OXALIC ACID
• OXALIC ACID (AQUEOUS)
• OXALIC ACID (AS DIHYDRATE)
• OXALIC ACID DIHYDRATE