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Look up chemical safety data, GHS classification, DOT/IMDG transport information, and NFPA hazard ratings. Search by chemical name, CAS number, or UN/NA number.

Compound Identification

Name: sulfuric acid
Molecular Formula: H2O4S
PubChem CID: 1118

GHS Classification

NFPA 704 Diamond

3 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause serious or permanent injury.

Health

0 - Materials that will not burn under typical fire conditions, including intrinsically noncombustible materials such as concrete, stone, and sand.

Fire

2 - Materials that readily undergo violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Instability

Transport Classification

UN Number: UN UN1831
IMO/IMDG Class: UN 1830; Sulfuric acid with more than 51% acid
Packing Group: PG I: the degree of danger presented by the material is great
ERG Guide: /GUIDE 137 SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE - CORROSIVE/ Fire or Explosion: EXCEPT FOR ACETIC ANHYDRIDE (UN1715), THAT IS FLAMMABLE, some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily. May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff. Flammable/toxic gases may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. Substance may be transported in a molten form. /Sulfuric acid; Sulfuric acid, with more than 51% acid; Sulphuric acid; Sulphuric acid, with more than 51% acid; Sulfuric acid, spent; Sulphuric acid, spent/

Physical Properties

flash_point
boiling_point: 554 °F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
melting_point: 50.65 °F (EPA, 1998)
vapor_pressure: 1 mmHg at 294.8 °F (EPA, 1998)
density: 1.841 (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
solubility: Miscible (NIOSH, 2024)
autoignition: Not flammable (USCG, 1999)

First Aid

Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer immediately for medical attention.
Wear protective gloves when administering first aid. First rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, then remove contaminated clothes and rinse again. Refer immediately for medical attention.
Rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible). Refer immediately for medical attention.
Rinse mouth. Give nothing to drink. Do NOT induce vomiting. Refer immediately for medical attention.
Caution: Sulfuric acid is extremely corrosive. Caution is advised.
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Sulfuric Acid Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute ingestion of sulfuric acid may be severe and include salivation, intense thirst, difficulty in swallowing, pain, and shock. Oral, esophageal, and stomach burns are common. Vomitus generally has a coffee-ground appearance. The potential for circulatory collapse is high following ingestion of sulfuric acid. Acute inhalation exposure may result in sneezing, hoarseness, choking, laryngitis, dyspnea (shortness of breath), respiratory tract irritation, and chest pain. Bleeding of nose and gums, ulceration of the nasal and oral mucosa, pulmonary edema, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia may also occur. If the eyes have come in contact with sulfuric acid, irritation, pain, swelling, corneal erosion, and blindness may result. Dermal exposure may result in severe burns, pain, and dermatitis (red, inflamed skin).
Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to sulfuric acid may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.
Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to sulfuric acid.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. RUSH to a health care facility.
Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to sulfuric acid.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas THOROUGHLY with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. RUSH to a health care facility.
Ingestion Exposure:

Fire Fighting

Fight fire from safe distance or from protected location. Use care as water applied directly to this acid results in evolution of heat and causes spattering. Cool containers that are exposed to flames with streams of water until fire is out. Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and special protective clothing.
Not flammable. For small fires use dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Use water on combustibles burning in vicinity of this material. For large fires flood fire area with water from a distance. Do not get solid streams of water on material. Move container from area if you can do so without risk. (EPA, 1998)
Excerpt from ERG Guide 137 [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, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: 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 in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)
NO water. In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water. NO direct contact of the substance with water.
Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide.
Advice for firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Extinguish fire using agents suitable for nearby fires. Use water spray only to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
No water. In case of fire in the surroundings: powder, foam, carbon dioxide.
In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water but NO direct contact with water.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an SDS (Safety Data Sheet)?

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a standardized document that provides information about chemical hazards, safe handling, storage, emergency procedures, and transport classification. SDSs follow the GHS (Globally Harmonized System) format with 16 mandatory sections covering identification, hazards, composition, first aid, fire fighting, accidental release, handling, exposure controls, physical properties, stability, toxicology, ecology, disposal, transport, regulatory, and other information.

What do the GHS pictograms mean?

GHS pictograms are standardized hazard symbols: the flame (flammable), exclamation mark (irritant/harmful), skull and crossbones (acute toxicity), corrosion (corrosive), exploding bomb (explosive), flame over circle (oxidizer), gas cylinder (compressed gas), health hazard (serious health effects), and environment (aquatic toxicity). Each pictogram indicates a specific category of hazard.

What is an NFPA diamond?

The NFPA 704 diamond is a color-coded hazard rating system used by emergency responders. Blue = health hazard, Red = flammability, Yellow = instability/reactivity, White = special hazards. Each color section is rated 0 (minimal hazard) to 4 (severe hazard).

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