Oxalic acid, anhydrous

Synonyms

Acide oxalique [French]; Acido ossalico [Italian]; Acidum oxalicum; Aktisal; Aquisal; Ethanedioic acid; Kyselina stavelova [Czech]; Oxaalzuur [Dutch]; Oxalate; Oxalic acid; Oxalsaeure [German]; Oxiric acid; [ChemIDplus] Dicarboxylic acid; [ACGIH]

Category

Organic Acids

Description

Colorless, odorless powder or granular solid. [Note: The anhydrous form (COOH)2 is an odorless, white solid.]; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used in metal cleaning, chemical synthesis, dye and rubber manufacturing, and textile stripping/finishing; Also used as a disinfectant (swimming pool and drainage system) and bathroom sanitizer; [ACGIH] Several species of plants contain soluble and insoluble oxalate salts. [Olson, p. 360] Used in photography (toner and platinum printing); Also used as a mordant in textile dyeing; [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html]

Comments

Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact. [CHRIS] TLV Basis is irritation (eye, skin and upper respiratory tract); [ACGIH] Solutions range from irritating to corrosive. Inhalation of high concentrations may induce chemical pneumonitis. Ingestion of oxalic acid or soluble oxalate compounds causes acute hypocalcemia and deposition of calcium oxalate crystals in the brain, heart, kidney, and other organs. In plant poisoning cases, ingestion of insoluble oxalate compounds causes irritation and swelling of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. [Olson, p. 360-1] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema after inhalation of aerosol; [ICSC] May cause kidney damage, hypocalcemia, and hepatic necrosis in severe poisoning cases following ingestion; [HSDB]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

1 mg/m3

2 mg/m3

1 mg/m3

500 mg/m3

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: It has been reported that the lethal oral dose is 15 to 30 grams [Webster 1930]. [Note: An oral dose of 15 to 30 grams is equivalent to a 30­minute exposure to 10,000 to 20,000 mg/m3 assuming a 50 liter per minute breathing rate and 100% absorption.]

0.000234 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

VP = 0.54 mm Hg @ 105 deg C; [HSDB]

must be preheated

Yes

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Photographic Processing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Applying metallic patinas
• Textile arts