Lead-Acid Battery

Appearance/Odor

Manufactured article; no apparent odor. Electrolyte is a clear liquid with a sharp, penetrating, pungent odor. IV. FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA Flash Point: N/A Flammable Limits: LEL = 4.1% (Hydrogen Gas) UEL = 74.2% Extinguishing Media: CO2; foam; dry chemical Special Fire Fighting Procedures: If batteries are on charge, shut off power. Use positive pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus. Water applied to electrolyte generates heat and causes it to spatter. Wear acid-resistant clothing. Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Highly flammable hydrogen gas is generated during charging and operation of batteries. To avoid risk of fire or explosion, keep sparks or other sources of ignition away from batteries. Do not allow metallic materials to simultaneously contact negative and positive terminals of cells and batteries. Follow manufacturer's instructions for installation and service. V. REACTIVITY DATA Stability: Stable Conditions To Avoid: Prolonged overcharge; sources of ignition Incompatibility: (Materials to avoid Sulfuric Acid: Contact with combustibles and organic materials may cause fire and explosion. Also reacts violently with strong reducing agents, metals, sulfur trioxide gas, strong oxidizers and water. Contact with metals may produce toxic sulfur dioxide fumes and may release flammable hydrogen gas. Lead Compounds: Avoid contact with strong acids, bases, halides, halogenates, potassium nitrate, permanganate, peroxides, nascent hydrogen and reducing agents. Hazardous Decomposition Products: Sulfuric Acid: Sulfur trioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfuric acid mist, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen. Lead Compounds: High temperatures likely to produce toxic metal fumes, vapor, or dust; contact with strong acid or base or presence of nascent hydrogen may generate highly toxic arsine gas. Page 1 VI. HEALTH HAZARD DATA Routes of Entry: Sulfuric Acid: Harmful by all routes of entry. Lead Compounds: Hazardous exposure can occur only when product is heated, oxidized or otherwise processed or damaged to create dust, vapor or fume. Inhalation: Sulfuric Acid: Breathing of sulfuric acid vapors or mists may cause severe respiratory irritation. Lead Compounds: Inhalation of lead dust or fumes may cause irritation of upper respiratory tract and lungs. Ingestion: Sulfuric Acid: May cause severe irritation of mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach. Lead Compounds: Acute ingestion may cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and severe cramping. This may lead rapidly to systemic toxicity and must be treated by a physician. Skin Contact: Sulfuric Acid: Severe irritation, burns and ulceration. Lead Compounds: Not absorbed through the skin. Eye Contact: Sulfuric Acid: Severe irritation, burns, cornea damage, and blindness. Lead Components: May cause eye irritation. Effects of Overexposure - Acute: Sulfuric Acid: Severe skin irritation, damage to cornea, upper respiratory irritation. Lead Compounds: Symptoms of toxicity include headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, muscular aches and weakness, sleep disturbances and irritability. Effects of Overexposure - Chronic: Sulfuric Acid: Possible erosion of tooth enamel, inflammation of nose, throat and bronchial tubes. Lead Compounds: Anemia; neuropathy, particularly of the motor nerves, with wrist drop; kidney damage; reproductive changes in males and females. Carcinogenicity: Sulfuric Acid: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified "strong inorganic acid mist containing sulfuric acid" as a Category I carcinogen, a substance that is carcinogenic to humans. This classification does not apply to liquid forms of sulfuric acid or sulfuric acid solutions contained within a battery. Inorganic acid mist (sulfuric acid mist) is not generated under normal use of this product. Misuse of the product, such as overcharging, may result in the generation of sulfuric acid mist. Lead Compounds: Lead is listed as a 2B carcinogen, likely in animals at extreme doses. Proof of carcinogenicity in humans is lacking at present. Arsenic: Listed by National Toxicology Program (NTP), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), OSHA and NIOSH as a carcinogen only after prolonged exposure at high levels. Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Overexposure to sulfuric acid mist may cause lung damage and aggravate pulmonary conditions. Contact of sulfuric acid with skin may aggravate diseases such as eczema and contact dermatitis. Lead and its compounds can aggravate some forms of kidney, liver and neurologic diseases.