Glycolic acid

Synonyms

2-Hydroxyacetic acid; Acetic acid, 2-hydroxy-; Acetic acid, hydroxy-; Glycollic acid; Hydroxyethanoic acid; Kyselina glykolova [Czech]; Kyselina hydroxyoctova [Czech]; [ChemIDplus] UN3261

Category

Organic Acids

Description

Colorless, odorless crystals; [HSDB] Hygroscopic; Commonly available commercially as 70% solution; [ICSC]

Sources/Uses

Used as a cheap organic acid to manufacture adhesives; to dye, print, and crease-proof textiles; to clean metals, water wells, and dairy equipment; and to delime hides and process furs; Also used in leather dyeing, adhesives, electroplating, pH control, copper pickling, printed wire board flux, oil well acidification, biodegradable polymers, soldering compounds, iron chelating, chemical milling, etching lithographic plates, and dermatology; [HSDB] Active product registrations for uses in cleaning products; [NPRIS]

Comments

Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] 70% technical solutions cause severe burns of the skin and eyes. [HSDB] Corrosive to skin and eyes; A respiratory tract irritant; May have effects on kidneys, leading to kidney failure; [ICSC] Causes burns; Inhalation may cause corrosive injuries to upper respiratory tract and lungs; Harmful by ingestion; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]

Biomedical References

0.02 mm Hg

LC50 (rat) = 7.1 mg/m3/4hr

Explanatory Notes

LC50 (rat) = 3,600 mg/m3/4hr; [EPA ChAMP] The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Corrosive solid, acidic, organic, n.o.s." VP from HSDB;

must be preheated

Yes

Skin burns

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Acid and Alkali Cleaning of Metals
• Electroplating
• Fur Dressing and Dyeing
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Petroleum Production and Refining
• Soldering
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)
• Working with Glues and Adhesives

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Lithography printing