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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] water reactivity of sulfuric acid solution
Date: Friday, February 18, 2022 at 1:42:30 PM
Author: "Emery, Paul" <paul.emery**At_Symbol_Here**YALE.EDU> 		Next by Date:
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] water reactivity of sulfuric acid solution
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2022 12:27:59 -0800
Author: Craig Merlic

From: Jeffrey Lewin <jclewin**At_Symbol_Here**MTU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] water reactivity of sulfuric acid solution
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2022 14:49:39 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: CAEwQnqgUKcbHJqTkfPd1F6MJa3TeRT42AJNLBMtvTzOhzEUytQ**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
In-Reply-To


1st question - does Sulfuric Acid meet the definition (NFPA) as "Water Reactive?"

From NFPA 400 Water-reactive material. A material that explodes, violently reacts, produces flammable, toxic or other hazardous gases; or evolves enough heat to cause self-ignition of nearby combustibles upon exposure to water or moisture.

Sigma's SDS Sulfuric acid 96% Ultrapur

Select items from the SDS:

2.1 Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
Corrosive to Metals (Category 1), H290
Skin corrosion (Category 1A), H314
Serious eye damage (Category 1), H318

2.3 Hazards not otherwise classified (HNOC) or not covered by GHS - none

5.1 Extinguishing media
Suitable extinguishing media
Use extinguishing measures that are appropriate to local circumstances and the
surrounding environment.
Unsuitable extinguishing media
For this substance/mixture no limitations of extinguishing agents are given.

10.3 Possibility of hazardous reactions
A risk of explosion and/or of toxic gas formation exists with the following substances:
[Lots of stuff, but water not one of them]

Now compare that to Sulfuric acid, fuming (Oleum)

2.1 Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
Acute toxicity, Inhalation (Category 2), H330
Skin corrosion (Category 1A), H314
Serious eye damage (Category 1), H318
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure (Category 3), Respiratory system, H335

2.3 Hazards not otherwise classified (HNOC) or not covered by GHS
Reacts violently with water.

5.1 Extinguishing media
Suitable extinguishing media
Dry powder

10.3 Possibility of hazardous reactions
Reacts violently with water.


Jeff

On Fri, Feb 18, 2022 at 11:12 AM Melissa Ballard <melissa.ballard**At_Symbol_Here**michelin.com> wrote:

Can anyone help with this? I was asked to determine at what concentration would a sulfuric acid solution be considered no longer water reactive (or how dilute does it need to be)? This is in the context of storage and firefighting/fire suppression systems (Building Code for Water Reactive Materials & NFPA 704 Annex F).

Maybe it is a simple calculation but my brain can't handle it today. Thanks!!

Melissa Ballard

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--
Jeff Lewin
Director of Chemical Laboratory Operations
Research Integrity Office
Laboratory Operations
205 Lakeshore Center
Michigan Technological University

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