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Product Name: Trichloroacetic Acid
Synonyms: TCA; Trichloroethanoic acid
Chemical Formula: C2HCl3O2
CAS Number: 76-03-9
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, protein precipitation, chemical peel agent
Supplier Information: Typically found on distributor label but includes business name, address, phone number, and emergency contact
Emergency Phone: Chemtrec (For US: 1-800-424-9300; International: +1-703-527-3887)
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral, Category 3); Skin Corrosion (Category 1A); Eye Damage (Category 1)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, causes severe skin burns, causes serious eye damage
Pictograms: Corrosion, Skull and Crossbones
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or vapors; Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye/face protection; Wash exposed skin thoroughly after handling; Do not eat, drink, or smoke near product; Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area
Health Hazards: Severe irritation or burns to skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract; possible systemic toxicity affecting central nervous system, liver, and kidneys
Environmental Hazards: Harmful to aquatic life
Physical Hazards: No unusual fire or explosive risks but corrosive
Substance: Trichloroacetic Acid
CAS Number: 76-03-9
Concentration: 99-100% (for ACS reagent grade)
Impurities: None expected in reagent grade; trace hydration possible
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately, support breathing, seek medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with plenty of water (at least 15 minutes), seek medical attention
Eye Contact: Rinse gently with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting both eyelids, remove contact lenses after first 1-2 minutes, continue rinsing, seek medical attention immediately
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek medical attention immediately, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person
Most Important Symptoms: Burning, pain, redness, blistering, permanent eye damage possible
Medical Attention: Excess exposure requires immediate hospital care
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, CO2
Specific Hazards: Releases toxic fumes (hydrogen chloride, phosgene) when heated or burned
Protection for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full chemical protective suit
Advice for Emergency Responders: Evacuate area, cool containers with water spray, prevent runoff to water sources
Personal Precautions: Wear chemical splash goggles, acid-resistant gloves, lab coat, and respiratory protection
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, drains, or sewers
Containment Methods: Cover spill with inert absorbent (sand, earth, vermiculite), avoid direct contact
Cleanup Procedures: Scoop with non-sparking tools into chemical waste container, ventilate area thoroughly, wash spill site after cleanup
Reporting: Follow local, state, and federal guidelines for reporting chemical spills
Handling: Use in chemical fume hood, avoid direct contact with skin or eyes, avoid inhaling dust or vapors, avoid splashes and spills
Storage: Keep tightly closed in corrosion-resistant, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials (alkalis, oxidizers, reducing agents, cyanides, organic materials); store at room temperature, protect from moisture
Specific End Uses: Reserved for research and industrial use, not for food, drug, or household purposes
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 0.5 ppm (STEL) as chloroacetic acid
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, chemical fume hood
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Chemical goggles, acid-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene, butyl rubber), full-length lab coat, closed-toe shoes, face shield when handling large quantities
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-certified acid gas respirator if ventilation is insufficient
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling, remove contaminated clothing, avoid eating or drinking in work area
Appearance: White crystalline solid
Odor: Pungent, strong acetic odor
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH (1% solution): Typically ≤ 1.0
Melting Point: 54°C
Boiling Point: 196°C (decomposes)
Flash Point: Non-flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Non-flammable
Vapor Pressure: 1 mmHg (20°C)
Vapor Density: 6.6 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 1.63 (water = 1)
Solubility: Soluble in water, ethanol, ether
Partition Coefficient: Log Pow = 1.33
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable
Decomposition Temperature: >150°C
Viscosity: Not established
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Reacts exothermically with bases, alkalis, and oxidizing agents
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with alkalis to release heat and toxic fumes
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, moisture, incompatible substances
Incompatible Materials: Strong bases, cyanides, reducing agents, oxidizers, powdered metals, organic materials
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Acute Toxicity (Oral – rats): LD50: 3,320 mg/kg
Acute Toxicity (Dermal – rabbits): Severe skin irritant/burns at contact
Inhalation: May cause severe mucous membrane irritation, respiratory distress
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe burns
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Risk of permanent eye damage
Respiratory/Skin Sensitization: Data not sufficient
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen (IARC, NTP, OSHA)
Mutagenicity and Reproductive Toxicity: Limited data; not listed as reproductive toxin
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS: Immediate and delayed burns, tissue damage, systemic toxicity on prolonged exposure
Toxicity – Aquatic: Harmful in large amounts to aquatic organisms, fish (LC50 for fish: 0.061 g/L, 96h, Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable by hydrolysis, slow breakdown under environmental conditions
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low, low potential for bioaccumulation
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile in water, potential to leach into groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: Acidification of water bodies possible from large releases
Disposal Methods: Hazardous waste; handle and dispose through licensed chemical waste management facility
Container Disposal: Rinse container, remove labels, puncture or crush before disposal, follow local regulations
Special Precautions: Do not discharge to sewer or environment, neutralize excess material prior to incineration
Waste Code: Typically D002 (Corrosive waste, US EPA)
UN Number: UN 2564
UN Proper Shipping Name: Trichloroacetic Acid
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: II
Marine Pollutant: Not stated, but environmentally hazardous
DOT (US): Dangerous Goods, corrosive solid
IATA: Dangerous Goods, corrosive solid, special handling required
IMDG: Corrosive, properly labeled, avoid moisture and incompatible materials in transport
TSCA (US): Listed in Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
SARA 302/313 (US): Not subject to reporting; check for local requirements
OSHA: Recognized as hazardous; subject to Hazard Communication Standard
WHMIS (Canada): Controlled Product; D2B (Toxic Material), E (Corrosive Material), CPR compliant
REACH (EU): Registered and listed under European Chemicals Agency
Clean Water Act: Not a priority pollutant, but still regulated as a hazardous substance
State Regulations: California Prop 65: Not listed
Other International Inventories: Australia (AICS), China (IECSC), Japan (ENCS), Korea (ECL), Philippines (PICCS) — listed
