International Chemical Safety Cards

LACTIC ACID

ICSC: 0501

DL-Lactic acid
2-Hydroxypropanoic acid
alpha-Hydroxypropionic acid
C₃H₆O₃ / CH₃CHOHCOOH
Molecular mass: 90.1
ICSC # 0501
CAS # 50-21-5
RTECS # OD2800000
April 09, 1997 Peer reviewed

TYPES OF HAZARD/ EXPOSURE	ACUTE HAZARDS/ SYMPTOMS	PREVENTION	FIRST AID/ FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE	Combustible.	NO open flames.	Powder, alcohol-resistant foam, water spray, carbon dioxide.
EXPLOSION

EXPOSURE		STRICT HYGIENE!
•INHALATION	Burning sensation. Cough. Sore throat. Shortness of breath.	Local exhaust or breathing protection.	Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.
•SKIN	Redness. Pain.	Protective gloves.	Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.
•EYES	Redness. Pain. Severe deep burns.	Safety goggles, or face shield.	First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take to a doctor.
•INGESTION	Sore throat. Burning sensation. Abdominal pain. Abdominal cramps. Nausea. Vomiting.	Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work.	Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Give nothing to drink. Refer for medical attention.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL

STORAGE

PACKAGING & LABELLING

Collect leaking liquid in sealable containers. Cautiously neutralize spilled liquid with weak alkaline solution, e.g. disodium carbonate. Then wash away with plenty of water.

Separated from strong bases.

R:
S:

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BACK

ICSC: 0501

Prepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety & the Commission of the European Communities (C) IPCS CEC 1994. No modifications to the International version have been made except to add the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.

International Chemical Safety Cards

LACTIC ACID

ICSC: 0501

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PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE:
VISCOUS, COLOURLESS TO YELLOW LIQUID OR COLOURLESS TO YELLOW CRYSTALS.

PHYSICAL DANGERS:

CHEMICAL DANGERS:
The substance is a medium strong acid.

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS:
TLV not established.

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.

INHALATION RISK:
No indication can be given about the rate in which a harmful concentration in the air is reached on evaporation of this substance at 20°C.

EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
The substance irritates the skin and the respiratory tract, and is corrosive to the eyes. Corrosive on ingestion.

EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:

PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES

Melting point: 17°C
Relative density (water = 1): 1.2
Solubility in water: miscible

Flash point: 110°C c.c.
Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: -0.6

ENVIRONMENTAL
DATA

N O T E S

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ICSC: 0501	LACTIC ACID
(C) IPCS, CEC, 1994

IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE:

Neither NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information. This card contains the collective views of the IPCS Peer Review Committee and may not reflect in all cases all the detailed requirements included in national legislation on the subject. The user should verify compliance of the cards with the relevant legislation in the country of use. The only modifications made to produce the U.S. version is inclusion of the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.