Material Safety Data Sheet of Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (TCCA)

Identification

Product Name: Trichloroisocyanuric Acid
Chemical Formula: C3Cl3N3O3
Synonyms: TCCA, Trichloro-s-triazinetrione
CAS Number: 87-90-1
Recommended Use: Disinfection, water treatment, bleaching agent, bactericide for swimming pools and cooling water systems, industrial water, textiles, and paper
Supplier Details: Manufacturer’s name and address, contact phone number for emergencies and general information

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Oxidizing Solid (Category 2), Acute Toxicity Oral (Category 4), Skin Corrosion/Irritation (Category 2), Eye Damage/Irritation (Category 1), Aquatic Acute (Category 1)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye damage, causes skin irritation, harmful if swallowed, may intensify fire due to oxidizing properties, very toxic to aquatic life
Hazard Symbols: GHS03, GHS05, GHS07, GHS09
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat and ignition sources, wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye or face protection, do not breathe dust, avoid release to the environment, wash thoroughly after handling

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Main Component: Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (C3Cl3N3O3)
Concentration: Typically available in 90% minimum
Impurities: Cyanuric acid, chlorinated isocyanurates, free chlorine available as active ingredient
Other Ingredients: Moisture (typically less than 1%), residual inorganic salts

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air immediately, keep comfortable for breathing, seek medical attention if symptoms develop
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with plenty of soap and water, get medical advice if irritation continues
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, seek urgent medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, if conscious, provide water to drink, get immediate medical assistance
Other Notes: Symptoms may include burning, irritation, cough, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal distress. Always consult a doctor for further evaluation if exposed

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, fog, or foam; never use dry chemical or CO2 since TCCA reacts violently with some dry chemicals
Hazardous Combustion Products: May release toxic chlorine gas, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, and phosgene
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective clothing, and avoid breathing fumes
Fire and Explosion Hazards: Reacts violently with combustible materials, organic substances, ammonia, acids; may decompose rapidly under heat, producing hazardous gases
Firefighting Instructions: Isolate fire area, cool exposed containers with water spray, do not allow fire water to enter drains or sewers, approach from upwind, evacuate area if necessary

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential personnel, ventilate the area, wear protective equipment, avoid dust formation and contact with skin, eyes, clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from entering drains, surface waters, or soil, notify authorities in event of large discharge
Containment and Cleanup: Avoid generating dust, sweep or shovel material into suitable containers for disposal, use equipment that will not generate sparks, wash spill area with large amounts of water, do not mix with other chemicals during cleanup

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use in well-ventilated area, avoid dust production, keep away from skin, eyes, and clothing, avoid inhaling dust or vapors, never mix with acids, ammonia, or organic materials, wash hands thoroughly after use
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers, keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from heat and direct sunlight, segregate from combustible, organic, or reducing materials, acids, and ammonium compounds, use corrosion-resistant containers, keep out of reach of children and unauthorized personnel
Storage Temperature: Typically recommended to store below 30°C/86°F

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No established limits for TCCA; monitor for chlorine levels (ACGIH TLV for Chlorine: 0.5 ppm TWA, 1 ppm STEL)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, enclosed processes, and dust collection systems
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), full coveralls, safety goggles or face shield, NIOSH-approved dust respirators if airborne dust is expected, suitable shoes or boots, and wash clothing after handling
Hygiene Measures: No eating, drinking, or smoking in working area, wash hands before breaks and after work, keep work area clean

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White crystalline powder, granules, tablets
Odor: Chlorine-like, pungent
Molecular Weight: 232.44 g/mol
Melting/Decomposition Point: Decomposes above 225°C with release of toxic gases
Solubility: Soluble in water (approx. 1.2 g/100g at 25°C)
pH (1% Solution): 2.7–3.3
Vapor Pressure: Not significant at room temperature
Relative Density: 1.9 g/cm³
Other Properties: Strong oxidizer, releases chlorine gas on contact with acids or moisture, reacts violently with reducing agents and organics

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, decomposes above 225°C or in presence of moisture
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sunlight, humidity, friction, shock, contamination with incompatible materials
Incompatible Materials: Acids, ammonia, ammonium salts, organic materials, reducing agents, combustible materials, metals, and solvents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Chlorine gas, nitrogen trichloride, cyanuric acid, hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides
Reactivity: May ignite combustible materials and react explosively with incompatible compounds

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Harmful if swallowed (LD50 Oral-rat: approx. 406 mg/kg), causes skin and eye severe irritation or burns, toxic by inhalation
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure can lead to respiratory tract irritation, skin sensitization, or dermatitis
Symptoms of Exposure: Burning, redness, itching, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, blurred vision
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Other Effects: May cause severe and permanent eye damage, sensitization of respiratory system, pulmonary edema at high exposure

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Extremely toxic to aquatic organisms, rapid degradation may harm fish, invertebrates, and algae in surface water bodies
Persistence and Degradability: Hydrolyzes in water to release hypochlorous acid and cyanuric acid, which may accumulate in the environment
Bioaccumulative Potential: Cyanuric acid presents some potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: TCCA can move through soil, contaminating groundwater if released in large quantities
Other Harmful Effects: Disinfection byproducts may persist and lead to long-term aquatic toxicity and potential for harm to water quality

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Dispose through licensed hazardous waste contractor, manage as hazardous waste under local, state, and federal regulations
Incineration: Avoid open burning, perform only in compliant incinerators equipped with proper pollution control
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse containers before recycling; handle rinsate as hazardous waste
Environmental Precautions: Do not dump into drains, waterways, or soil, avoid mixing with sewage, acids, or combustible substances

Transport Information

UN Number: 2468
Proper Shipping Name: Trichloroisocyanuric Acid, Dry
Transport Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizer)
Packing Group: II
Labeling Requirements: Oxidizer label, marine pollutant as necessary
Packaging: Should be shipped in moisture-resistant, tightly sealed containers, away from heat, acids, combustibles, and organic materials
Special Transport Precautions: Avoid all sources of contamination and humidity, comply with ICAO/IATA, IMDG, DOT, and applicable country transport rules

Regulatory Information

US Regulations: TSCA listed, covered under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, subject to SARA Title III Section 313 as a toxic chemical, CERCLA reporting may apply for accidental release of hazardous substances
EU Regulations: Classified as dangerous under EC directives, subject to REACH registration, uses governed by biocidal product regulations
Other Global Regulations: Covered by various chemical inventories worldwide, workplace exposure regulations enforced in many countries
Labeling: Must bear appropriate hazard and precautionary texts per GHS/CLP labeling standards, product must not be sold or distributed except as mandated by national laws