International Chemical Safety Cards

MERCAPTOACETIC ACID ICSC: 0915

MERCAPTOACETIC ACID
Thioglycolic acid
Ethanethiol-2-acid-1
C2H4O2S
Molecular mass: 92.12
CAS # 68-11-1
RTECS # AI5950000
ICSC # 0915
UN # 1940
EC # 607-090-00-6
TYPES OF
HAZARD/
EXPOSURE 		ACUTE HAZARDS/
SYMPTOMS 		PREVENTION FIRST AID/
FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE

Powder, alcohol-resistant foam, water spray, carbon dioxide.
EXPLOSION


EXPOSURE


  • INHALATION
    		• Abdominal cramps, burning sensation, cough, headache, laboured breathing, nausea, shortness of breath, sore throat, vomiting.
    		Ventilation, local exhaust, or breathing protection.
    		Fresh air, rest, artificial respiration if indicated, and refer for medical attention.
  • SKIN
    		• (further see Inhalation).
    		Protective gloves, protective clothing.
    		Remove contaminated clothes, rinse and then wash skin with water and soap, and refer for medical attention.
  • EYES
    		• Redness, pain, severe deep burns.
    		Face shield.
    		First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take to a doctor.
  • INGESTION
    		• See Inhalation.

    		Rinse mouth, give large amounts of water to drink, induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!), and refer for medical attention. Wear protective gloves when inducing vomiting.
    SPILLAGE DISPOSAL STORAGE PACKAGING & LABELLING
    Consult an expert, ventilation, collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable containers as far as possible, absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent and remove to safe place, do NOT wash away into sewer, then remove to safe place, (extra personal protection: complete protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus).
    		Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing, separated from strong oxidants, tightly closed, keep in a well-ventilated room.

    T symbol
    R: 23/24/25-34
    S: 2-25-27-28
    UN Haz Class: 8
    UN Pack Group: II
    SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BACK
    ICSC: 0915 Prepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety & the Commission of the European Communities © IPCS CEC 1990 No modifications to the International version have been made except to add the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and IDLH values.

    International Chemical Safety Cards

    MERCAPTOACETIC ACID ICSC: 0915

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    PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE:
     VISCOUS COLOURLESS LIQUID

    PHYSICAL DANGERS:

    CHEMICAL DANGERS:
     on heating , producing sulfur oxides and hydrogen sulfide. Reacts with strong oxidants.

    OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS (OELs):
     TLV: 1 ppm; 3.8 mg/m3 (as TWA) (skin) (ACGIH 1991-1992)
    MAK not established.
    OSHA PEL: none
    NIOSH REL: TWA 1 ppm (4 mg/m3) skin
    NIOSH IDLH: No data


    		ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
     The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin, and by ingestion.

    INHALATION RISK:
     A harmful contamination of the air will be reached rather slowly on evaporation of this substance at 20°C

    EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
     Corrosive. The substance is corrosive to the eyes the skin the respiratory tract. Inhalation of may cause lung oedema (see Notes). Swallowing the liquid may cause aspiration into the lungs with the risk of chemical pneumonitis. Exposure may result in death.

    EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:
    PHYSICAL
    PROPERTIES
    Boiling point at 1.9kPa: 105°C
    Melting point: -16.5°C
    Relative density (water = 1): 1.3253
    Solubility in water: miscible
    		 Vapour pressure, Pa at 20°C: 10
    Relative vapour density (air = 1): 3.18
    Relative density of the vapour/air-mixture at 20°C (air = 1): 1.00
    ENVIRONMENTAL
    DATA
         		Environmental toxicity: This substance may be hazardous to the environment; special attention should be given to water.
    NOTES
    The symptoms of lung oedema often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation is therefore essential. Immediate administration of an appropriate spray, by a doctor or a person authorized by him/her, should be considered. The odour warning when the exposure limit value is exceeded is insufficient.
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


    ICSC: 0915 MERCAPTOACETIC ACID
    © IPCS, CEC, 1990
    IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: Neither NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information. This card contains the collective views of the IPCS Peer Review Committee and may not reflect in all cases all the detailed requirements included in national legislation on the subject. The user should verify compliance of the cards with the relevant legislation in the country of use. The only modifications made to produce the U.S. version is inclusion of the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and IDLH values.