Material Safety Data Sheet

   Revision Issued: 8/23/2000         Supercedes: 10/14/98        First Issued: 10/14/98

              Section I - Chemical Product And Company Identification

                            Product Name: Oxalic Acid

         CAS Number: 144-62-7                       HBCC MSDS No. CO02000









1675 No. Main Street, Orange, California 92867

Telephone No: 714-998-8800 | Outside Calif: 800-821-7234 | Chemtrec: 800-424-9300



                 Section II - Composition/Information On Ingredients

                                                     Exposure Limits (TWAs) in Air

Chemical Name       CAS Number        %         ACGIH TLV        OSHA PEL        STEL

Oxalic Acid         144-62-7          99-100 1 mg/m³             1 mg/m³         2 mg/m³



                           Section III - Hazard Identification

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, Ingestion, Skin, Eyes

Summary of Acute Health Hazards: Oxalic Acid is corrosive to tissue. when ingested,

oxalic acid removes calcium from the blood. Kidney damage can be expected as the

calcium is removed from the blood in the form of calcium oxalate. The calcium oxalate

then obstructs the kidney tubules.

Ingestion: Toxic! Poisonous if swallowed. May cause burns, nausea, severe

gastroenteritis and vomiting, shock and convulsions. may cause renal damage, as

evidenced by bloody urine. Estimate fatal dose is 5 to 15 grams.

Inhalation: Toxic inhalation of dust is poisonous. Can cause severe irritation of nose,

throat, and respiratory tract.

Skin: Can cause severe irritation, possible skin burns. May be absorbed through the skin.

Eyes: May cause corneal damage

Summary of Chronic Health Hazards: may cause inflammation of the upper

respiratory tract. prolonged skin contact can cause dermatitis, cyanosis of the fingers and

possible ulceration. May affect kidneys.

Signs and Symptoms of Exposure: N/A

Effects of Overexposure: N/A

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Persons with pre-existing

skin disorders or eye problems, or impaired kidney or respiratory function may be more

susceptible to the effects of the substance.

Note to Physicians: Treat symptomatically. Neutralize with sodium bicarboante.









Oxalic Acid                                                                          1 of 4

                             Section IV - First Aid Measures

Ingestion: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING! Give large quantities of limewater to drink.

Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Call a physician immediately.

Inhalation: Remove to fresh air, administer artificail respiration. If breathing is difficult,

give oxygen. Call a physician immediately.

Skin: In case of contact, wipe off excess from skin then immediately flush skin with

plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes.

Wash clothing before reuse. Call a physician immediately.

Eyes: immediately flush eyes with gentle but large stream of water for at least 15

minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Call an opthalmologist

immediately.

                           Section V - Fire Fighting Measures

Flash Point: N/A                           Autoignition Temperature: N/A

Lower Explosive Limit: N/A                 Upper Explosive Limit: N/A

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Oxalic Acid is a combustible below 101oC;

(215oF). Decomposition products include carbon monoxide & Formic Acid which are

toxic and flammable. Reacts explosively with strong oxidizing materials and some silver

compounds.

Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, alcohol foam, or carbon dioxide. foam

or water on molten oxalic acid may cause frothing. water spray may be used to keep fire

exposed containers cool.

Special Firefighting Procedures: in the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and

NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing appratus with full facepiece operated in the

pressure demand or positive pressure mode.

                        Section VI - Accidental Release Measures

Remove all sources of ignition. Ventilate area of leak or spill. Wear appropriate personal

protective equipment.

Spills: Clean up spills in a manner that does not disperse dust into the air. Use non-

sparking tools and equipment. Pick up spill for recovery or disposal and place in a closed

container. Remove unnecessary people. If material comes in contact with water,

neutralize liquid with alkaline material (soda ash, lime), then absorb with an inert

material (e.g. vermiculite, dry sand, earth) and place in a chemical waste container. Do

not use combustible materials, such as saw dust. Do not flush to sewer.

                           Section VII - Handling and Storage

Keep in a tightly closed container. Protect from physical damage. Store in a cool, dry,

ventilated area away from sources of heat, moisture and incompatibilities. Containers of

this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (dust,

solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product. Wear rubber gloves

and safety goggles. Do not eat or smoke in area.









Oxalic Acid                                                                             2 of 4

                Section VIII - Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Respiratory Protection: If the exposure limit is exceeded, a half-face respirator with an

organic vapor cartridge and dust/mist filter may be worn for up to ten times the exposure

limit or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or

respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. A full-face piece respirator with an organic

vapor cartridge and dust/mist filter may be worn up to 50 times the exposure limit, or the

maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator

supplier, whichever is lowest. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are

not known, use a full-face piece positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator. WARNING:

Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

Ventilation: A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee

exposures below the Airborne Exposure Limits. Local exhaust ventilation is generally

preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preventing

dispersion of it into the general work area. Please refer to the ACGIH document,

Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices, most recent edition, for

details.

Protective Clothing: Wear impervious protective clothing, including boots, gloves, lab

coat, apron or coveralls, as appropriate, to prevent skin contact.

Eye Protection: Use chemical safety goggles and/or full face shield where dusting or

splashing of solutions is possible. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities

in work area.

Other Protective Clothing or Equipment: N/A

Work/Hygienic Practices: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating,

drinking, smoking or using toilet facilities. Do NOT place food, coffee or other drinks in

the area where dusting or splashing of solutions is possible.

                    Section IX - Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: Solid                   pH: N/A

Melting Point/Range: 101°C              Boiling Point/Range: 149-160°C

Appearance/Color/Odor: White crystalline powder, odorless

Solubility in Water: Soluble - 11.7% Vapor Pressure(mmHg): < 0.001 @ 20°C; 68°F

Specific Gravity(Water=1): 1.653        Molecular Weight: 126.07

Vapor Density(Air=1): 4.4               % Volatiles: N/A

How to detect this compound : Chemical analysis

                          Section X - Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Stable         Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur

Conditions to Avoid: Heat, moisture (hygroscopic), dusting

Materials to Avoid: Alkalie, chlorites, hypochlorites, oxidizing agents, furfuryl alcohol

and silver compounds.

Hazardous Decomposition Products: Formic Acid, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide









Oxalic Acid                                                                          3 of 4

                         Section XI - Toxicological Information

N/A

                          Section XII - Ecological Information

N/A

                         Section XIII - Disposal Considerations

Dispose of in accordance with federal, state and local regulations. Whatever cannot be

saved for recovery or recycling should be managed in an appropriate and approved waste

facility. Although not a listed RCRA hazardous waste, this material may exhibit one or

more characteristics of a hazardous waste and require appropriate analysis to determine

specific disposal requirements. Processing, use or contamination of this product may

change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ

from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of container and unused contents in

accordance with federal, state and local requirements.

                         Section XIV - Transport Information

DOT Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive Solid, Acidic, Organic, n.o.s. (Oxalic Acid)

DOT Hazard Class/ I.D. No.: 8, UN3261, III

                         Section XV - Regulatory Information

Reportable Quantity: N/A

NFPA Rating: Health - 3; Fire - 1; Reactivity - 0

0=Insignificant 1=Slight 2=Moderate 3=High 4=Extreme

Carcinogenicity Lists: No NTP: No IARC Monograph: No OSHA Regulated: No

                            Section XVI - Other Information

Synonyms/Common Names: Dicarboxylic Acid, Ethanedioic Acid

Chemical Family/Type: Organic Acid

Sections Changed since last revision: VIII, XV

IMPORTANT! Read this MSDS before use or disposal of this product. Pass along the

information to employees and any other persons who could be exposed to the product to

be sure that they are aware of the information before use or other exposure. This MSDS

has been prepared according to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard [29 CFR

1910.1200]. The MSDS information is based on sources believed to be reliable.

However, since data, safety standards, and government regulations are subject to change

and the conditions of handling and use, or misuse are beyond our control, Hill Brothers

Chemical Company makes no warranty, either expressed or implied, with respect to the

completeness or continuing accuracy of the information contained herein and disclaims

all liability for reliance thereon. Also, additional information may be necessary or helpful

for specific conditions and circumstances of use. It is the user's responsibility to

determine the suitability of this product and to evaluate risks prior to use, and then to

exercise appropriate precautions for protection of employees and others.









Oxalic Acid                                                                           4 of 4