Oxalic Acid, Dihydrate

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Odorless, colorless, transparent crystalline. WARNING! May be fatal if swallowed or inhaled. Can cause burns of the eyes and skin. Avoid breathing dusts. Can cause permanent damage of the eyes. Can cause severe irritation of the respiratory system.

Potential health effects

EYE: Eye contact will cause severe irritation, pain, reddening, and possibly damage to the cornea. Depending on the duration of eye contact, damage to the cornea may be irreversible. SKIN: Repeated or prolonged skin exposure can cause dermatitis and slow healing ulcers. Excessive contact may produce a delayed localized pain and discoloration of the skin with fingernails becoming brittle and blue with possible gangrenous ulcerations of the skin. Oxalic Acid may be absorbed via intact skin. INGESTION: May irritate and cause burns of the mouth and throat. Symptoms may include burning pain of the mouth and throat. Symptoms may include burning pain of the mouth, throat and stomach followed by profuse vomiting. Small doses may cause headache, pain and twitching in muscles and cramps, while larger doses can cause weak and irregular heartbeat, drop in blood pressure and signs of heart failure. The fatal adult human dose is estimated to be 5 grams (0.18 oz.) A delayed effect of ingestion is kidney damage, possibly leasing to renal failure. INHALATION: Irritating to the nose, throat and respiratory tract with symptoms of sore throat, coughing and difficulty breathing. May cause inflammation of the respiratory tract. CHRONIC EXPOSURE/CARCINOGENICITY: Chronic skin absorption of oxalic acid can lead to formation of kidney and urinary tract stones. Chronic inhalation of this product can result in the formation of kidney and urinary tract stones. AGGRAVATION OF PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS: None known.

Environmental effects

Non known