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Chemical Name: Salicylic Acid
Synonyms: 2-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
CAS Number: 69-72-7
Form: Fine white crystalline powder
Odor: Barely noticeable, sometimes referred to as sweet or medicinal
Common Uses: Skincare ace removers, chemical peels, some food preservatives, pharmaceutical ingredient, researchers' staple
GHS Classification: Skin irritant, may cause serious eye irritation, hazardous to aquatic life
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Contact can lead to burning or discomfort, dust can irritate nose, throat and cause coughing, swallowing even small amounts brings stomach upset or damage
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, health hazard, environment symbol for aquatic toxins
Active Ingredient: Salicylic Acid — purity often over 98% for technical and pharmaceutical uses
Impurities: Can contain trace amounts of phenol or unreacted starting materials, especially from bulk synthesis
Concentration: Almost always used at less than 2% in consumer skincare, much higher in laboratory or manufacturing settings
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, deep breaths, cough out the dust — it irritates the airways pretty quickly.
Skin Contact: Wash affected spot with soap and flush with cool water for several minutes, might sting if skin already chapped or broken.
Eye Contact: Hold eyes open, rinse with gentle water stream for at least 15 minutes, because stinging lingers.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, avoid vomiting, find medical help if discomfort remains; swallowing isn’t likely fatal at small doses, but it’s uncomfortable and risky—more so in kids.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide — never water on open flames with dry chemicals, because you want to avoid spreading powder dust.
Specific Hazards: Burning releases toxic fumes like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Protective Equipment: Full breathing apparatus and protective clothing for firefighters; nobody wants those fumes in their lungs.
Fire Behavior: Not highly flammable, but fine dust suspended in air can ignite or explode near sparks.
Personal Protection: Respiratory masks, gloves, goggles; avoid skin contact or breathing in dust clouds.
Elimination of Sources: Sweep gently without creating dust, good ventilation stops dangerous build-up.
Environmental Safeguards: Prevent all powder from getting into sewers, streams, or soil, because salicylic acid hurts aquatic life in surprising ways.
Disposal: Collect and place in sealed waste containers.
Handling: Work in well-aired spaces, wear gloves, keep the container closed to limit accidental spills.
Storage Conditions: Cool, dry, and dark spaces keep it stable; humidity clumps up powder, heat degrades it, sunlight sometimes triggers slow chemical changes.
Segregation: Store away from oxidizers, strong acids, strong bases and sources of ignition; no need to use ordinary cardboard, as acid can weaken packaging materials over time.
Exposure Limits: No official American OSHA limit, but recommendations suggest keeping airborne levels below 10 mg/m³ to avoid irritation.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, dust mask or respirator in dusty work, protective clothing for arms and legs.
Ventilation: Local exhaust is easiest and most reliable, especially in labs or factory settings, and will catch dust before it spreads; never rely only on open doors or windows for control.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands regularly, avoid eating or drinking near work areas, and never rub the eyes after touching powder.
Appearance: White, sheenless crystals or powder, almost always fine and non-caking if stored dry.
Smell: Faintly medicinal or sweet, barely detectable
Solubility: In water, not great — a few milligrams per milliliter, but dissolves better in alcohol and acetone
Melting Point: Around 158-161°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling—never expected to vaporize cleanly
Flash Point: Roughly 157°C, raising risks in hot industrial sites
Stability: Stable under normal conditions, but hates moisture or excessive heat, breaking down into phenol at high temp.
Incompatibility: Reactive with oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong bases, and some metals.
Decomposition: Heats up enough, breaks down to carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and irritating organic vapors
Hazardous Reactions: Mixing with sodium nitrite and acid makes toxic fumes; never blend with hypochlorites.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 in rats falls close to 891 mg/kg, showing decent safety for topical use but room for trouble with ingestion.
Skin Irritation: Prolonged or concentrated contact causes burns, swelling, and redness.
Eye Effects: Dust or slurries in the eye burn, sting and sometimes blur vision for hours
Respiratory Impact: Inhalation gives burning sensation, sneezing, and possible headaches.
Chronic Risks: Extended skin exposure—especially in children or sensitive groups—can trigger salicylate poisoning, with symptoms like ringing ears, nausea or breathing trouble.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as cancer-causing by IARC, EPA, or NTP.
Acute Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful for fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants at levels as low as a few mg/L
Mobility: Remains in water or soil for long periods, not quickly breaking down
Persistence and Degradability: Degrades slowly in nature, sticking around in sediments and water sources
Bioaccumulation: Does not build up in living tissue, but short-term exposures devastate small ecosystems
Waste Disposal: Never toss in regular waste streams; treat as hazardous, using local chemical disposal options.
Environmental Precautions: Incineration at specialist facilities is safest; never flush into drains.
Container Handling: Clean and puncture empty containers to prevent sloppy reuse, then send to hazardous waste processing.
Proper Shipping Name: Salicylic Acid
UN Number: 2590
Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substance, with some jurisdictions noting it as an irritant)
Packing Group: III
Transport Notes: Don’t pack with foods, skin-care or ingestible products during bulk transport; spills in transit must be handled quickly, using the same control methods as in the lab
Global Reach Compliance: Exempt from highest concern chemicals in Europe, but tightly regulated as a cosmetic or food additive
Ingredient Disclosure: Required on US and EU consumer labels when intentionally added
Worker Protections: Covered under general chemical safety acts; manufacturing and laboratory work must follow written safety plans, regular audits, and provide protective gear on-site
Local Restrictions: Maximum usage limits set by national health agencies for food and drinks; over-the-counter skincare capped at low single-digit percentages, especially for children’s products
