Material Safety Data Sheet – Perchloric Acid

Identification

Product Name: Perchloric Acid
Synonyms: Hyperchloric Acid, Hydronium Perchlorate
Chemical Formula: HClO₄
CAS Number: 7601-90-3
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, chemical analysis, rocket propellant production
Manufacturer: [Supplier/Manufacturing Facility Name and Address]
Emergency Contact: [24-hour Emergency Phone Number for Manufacturing Site]
UN Number: 1873 (where applicable)

Hazard Identification

Classification: Strong oxidizing agent, Corrosive, Explosive under certain conditions
GHS Label Elements: Danger, Skull and crossbones pictogram, Corrosion pictogram
Hazard Statements: May cause severe burns to skin and eyes, Harmful if inhaled, Strong oxidizer that may intensify fire and react violently with organic materials
Precautionary Statements: Avoid all contact with combustibles, Wear protective clothing and eye/face protection, Do not breathe vapors, Wash thoroughly after handling
Potential Health Effects: Immediate, painful damage to mucous membranes; lung injury; delayed effects possible from short-term overexposure

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Perchloric Acid
Concentration: Usually supplied as 60–72% aqueous solution
Impurities: Trace amounts of chloric acid, hydrochloric acid, potentially chlorinated organic compounds
Other Ingredients: Water as diluent

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Immediately flush with water for no less than 15 minutes, lifting eyelids as needed; seek medical attention without delay
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes, rinse affected skin with copious flowing water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical attention
Inhalation: Move to fresh air at once, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, get medical help as soon as possible
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, if conscious give water to dilute, seek immediate medical attention
Emergency Symptoms: Severe irritation, pain, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, skin blisters

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use large amounts of water spray, do not use dry chemicals, foam, or carbon dioxide
Specific Hazards: Contact with organic materials or combustibles can trigger violent, explosive reactions; fire increases risk of toxic vapor emission and container rupture
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear including chemical splash suit and self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Procedures: Isolate area, cool containers with flooding quantities of water, approach from upwind, keep combustibles away from leak area, avoid runoff into storm sewers

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unprotected personnel, ventilate area, wear chemical-resistant suit with face shield, chemical splash gloves, and rubber boots
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from entering surface water, sewers, or soil, alert authorities if contamination of environment occurs
Containment: Neutralize with sodium bicarbonate if safe, absorb small spills with inert material such as vermiculite; dike and collect for chemical waste disposal
Clean-up Procedures: Avoid using materials like sawdust, rags, or paper towels for spills; dispose using containers approved for oxidizers, ventilate thoroughly

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Always work in a chemical fume hood, avoid all personal contact, never pipet by mouth, keep containers tightly closed and grounded
Incompatible Materials: Avoid organic compounds, strong reducers, combustibles, metals, acids, alcohols—many of these speed up decomposition or can cause fire/explosion
Storage Conditions: Separate from combustibles and reducing agents, keep in acid-resistant, properly labeled containers in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from sunlight and heat
Special Considerations: Do not store in metal containers, maintain clear separation from flammable materials; inspect regularly for container corrosion or leaks

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 0.1 ppm (as ClO₄^-), NIOSH REL: 0.1 ppm, ACGIH TLV: 0.1 ppm
Engineering Controls: Chemical fume hood mandatory, emergency eyewash and safety shower must be in immediate vicinity
Personal Protective Equipment: Impermeable gloves (nitrile or neoprene), lab coat or coverall, splash-proof goggles, face shield, chemical-resistant apron
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved full-face respirator with acid gas cartridges in case of vapor formation or poor ventilation
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, arms, and face after handling; keep protective clothing separate from street clothes and launder regularly

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless to slightly yellow, oily liquid
Odor: Faintly sharp, acidic
pH: Less than 1 (very acidic)
Boiling Point: 203°C (397°F) for pure acid, 83°C (181°F) for 72% solution
Melting Point: -17°C (1.4°F) for 72% solution
Solubility: Miscible in water, highly exothermic
Vapor Pressure: 6.3 mmHg (20°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.7 at 20°C
Decomposition Temperature: Above 160°C (single step, releases chlorine oxides)

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Thermally unstable above room temperature, stable only in pure, dilute solutions if stored correctly
Incompatible Materials: Organic matter, dust, finely divided metals, reducing agents, concentrated acids, alcohol, paper, wood
Hazardous Reactions: Violent oxidation with spontaneous ignition or explosion; generates chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and oxygen gases
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Chlorine oxides, hydrochloric acid vapors, oxygen
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, friction, shock, contamination by heavy metals or combustible materials

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin/eye contact, ingestion
Acute Effects: Painful burns, ulceration, respiratory distress, coughing, eye/skin damage
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposures can lead to dental erosion, chronically inflamed respiratory tract, kidney injury
LD₅₀ (oral, rat): 1100 mg/kg
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a human carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or OSHA
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: Not expected in low-level laboratory use, no strong data
Sensitization: Not known; chemical burns may result in scarring

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms due to acidity and oxidizing potential; acidifies local habitat, may cause acute fish kills
Persistence/Degradability: Not persistent; degrades into chlorate, chloride, and oxygen under environmental conditions, but forms acids and salts that can disturb aquatic and soil balance
Bioaccumulation: No significant bioaccumulation expected
Soil Mobility: Highly mobile, can leach through soils posing risk to groundwater if improperly contained

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal: Collect and neutralize under expert supervision (with sodium carbonate or bicarbonate solution) to bring pH to 6–9 before disposal
Disposal Method: Dispose as hazardous waste in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations; do not dispose in municipal sewers or regular trash
Container Disposal: Triple-rinse empty containers with water, then treat rinsate as hazardous waste
Incineration: Not recommended due to potential for violent reaction unless thoroughly neutralized first

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 1873
Proper Shipping Name: Perchloric Acid, with not more than 72% acid
Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizer), 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: I or II, depending on concentration
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Transport Precautions: Segregate from flammable, organic, or reducing substances; use corrosion-proof packaging; keep upright and secure during transit

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Listed hazardous chemical, requires hazard communication and emergency planning
TSCA: Listed on the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
SARA Title III: Reportable Quantity (RQ) is 1 lb for regulated reporting; subject to community right-to-know provisions
EPA: Regulated as a hazardous substance; spills must be reported under CERCLA
EU Classification: EC 017-006-00-4, R8, R35, R37/38, S17, S26, S36/37/39, S45
Labeling Requirements: Hazard pictograms as per GHS and OSHA, detailed instructions for emergency response and first aid