© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Chemical Name: Dichloroacetic Acid
Synonyms: DCA, dichloroethanoic acid
Chemical Formula: C2H2Cl2O2
Appearance: Colorless to light yellow liquid, sharp pungent odor
CAS Number: 79-43-6
Hazard Statements: Corrosive to skin and eyes, harsh respiratory irritant, may be harmful if swallowed
Hazard Symbols: Corrosive, Harmful
Acute Effects: Immediate pain or blistering upon skin contact, severe eye irritation, coughing from inhalation, burning sensation in mouth if ingested
Chronic Risks: Prolonged or repeated contact can cause skin burns, chronic respiratory conditions, and possible toxic effects on liver with long-term exposure
Routes of Exposure: Skin, eyes, inhalation, ingestion
Main Ingredient: Dichloroacetic Acid, concentration varies by application
Impurities: Trace chlorinated byproducts depending on manufacturing source, usually found at negligible levels
Purity: Industrial material often comes upwards of 99% purity, but purity depends on supplier and use-case
Physical Nature: Solution or pure liquid form, depending on storage and shipment
Skin Contact: Flush skin with a copious amount of running water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, avoid neutralizing agents until clear advice from medical authorities
Eye Exposure: Rinse thoroughly with gently flowing water for at least 15 minutes, ensure eyelids are held open, seek immediate medical attention
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep at rest, monitor breathing, provide artificial respiration if breathing stops, call a health professional quickly
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, drink water if conscious, immediate hospital treatment remains essential
Medical Attention: Mandatory for moderate or worse exposures, potential for delayed-onset effects means observation in a clinical setting is often required
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, or alcohol-resistant foam, avoid water where possible to minimize runoff contamination
Hazardous Combustion Products: Releases hydrogen chloride, chlorine gas, and other toxic vapors if burned
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full protective suit with self-contained breathing apparatus, chemical-resistant gloves, boots, respirator with acid gas cartridges in lower hazard settings
Special Considerations: Containers may rupture in heat, cooling with water spray helps reduce pressure without spreading product
Personal Protection: Acid-resistant gloves, chemical goggles, face shield, long sleeves, close-toed shoes
Spill Cleanup: Evacuate area, work in well-ventilated space, contain spill if safe to do so, neutralize with soda ash or similar before collecting residue in secure chemical waste containers
Environmental Protection: Prevent run-off into soil, drains, and waterways, alert environmental authorities in case of large spills
Post-Cleanup: Ventilate area, use approved neutralizing agents, dispose of cleanup materials through certified hazardous waste channels
Handling Practices: Use only in well-ventilated areas or chemical fume hoods, avoid all skin and eye contact, keep containers tightly closed between uses, practice good hygiene by washing hands and clothing after use
Storage Needs: Store in corrosion-resistant containers kept away from direct sunlight, incompatible chemicals like bases and oxidizers, keep at cool, stable temperature to prevent decomposition
Segregation: Store separately from food and drinking water, acids and strong oxidizers
Ventilation: Use local exhaust ventilation or chemical fume hoods to avoid inhalation
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear rubber or nitrile gloves, splash-proof goggles, face protection, protective suit, proper footwear, and use a respirator fitted with acid gases cartridge if airborne levels approach limits
Exposure Limits: No occupational exposure limits established in many regions, but prudent handling assumes potential hazard even at low levels
Engineering Controls: Closed systems, leak-proof transfer lines, spill containment barriers
Appearance: Colorless or yellowish, clear liquid
Odor: Sharp, pungent, noticeable even at low concentrations
Boiling Point: Around 194°C
Melting Point: Below room temperature, remains liquid in most climates
Solubility: Freely mixes with water, ethanol, and many organic solvents
Density: About 1.57 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature, but vapors become irritating before reaching toxic levels
pH: Strongly acidic in solution
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling conditions, decomposes at high temperature or exposure to strong light
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with bases and oxidizers, possible generation of toxic gases on contact with cyanides or sulfides
Decomposition Products: Chlorine compounds, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, dichloroacetic anhydride at high temperatures
Incompatibility: Avoid contact with metals, alkalis, and strong oxidizing agents
Acute Toxicity: Ingestion or inhalation can cause burns, nausea, vomiting, respiratory irritation, possible systemic toxicity
Chronic Risks: Experimental studies point to liver toxicity at repeated doses, animal studies indicate concern for genotoxicity with prolonged exposure, but evidence in people remains incomplete
Exposure Symptoms: Burning sensation in mouth, throat, airways, skin burns, tearing eyes, respiratory difficulty, headache, weakness
Medical Observation: Following exposure, some symptoms may be delayed, underlining need for monitoring even after apparent recovery
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life, data indicate acute toxicity to fish and invertebrates at low concentrations
Persistence: Biodegradable under suitable conditions, but breakdown rate varies depending on microbial activity in soil and water
Bioaccumulation: Limited evidence of bioaccumulation, tends to disperse rather than concentrate
Environmental Hazard: Spill control and prompt cleanup helps prevent long-term ecological damage, especially in sensitive wetland and freshwater ecosystems
Waste Management: Collect all residues and contaminated absorbent for disposal as hazardous waste in line with local regulations
Neutralization: Treat with alkaline agents before disposal if permitted, but must follow chemical waste disposal procedures
Incineration: High-temperature incineration forms the preferred disposal route to ensure complete breakdown and destruction
Restrictions: Discharge to land, water, or municipal sewers usually prohibited, must not enter natural drainage systems
Transportation: Classified as corrosive hazardous material under most global transport standards, packaged in sealed, corrosion-resistant containers
Handling During Transit: Keep upright, protect from physical damage, avoid heat, secure against tipping or rolling during shipment
Labels: Strong acid, corrosive, environmental hazard warnings required in transit
Spill Response: Transport documents should identify emergency procedures and contacts for chemical spill response team at delivery and loading/unloading points
Labeling: Requires clear hazard warning labels under global harmonization standards, including pictograms for corrosive and health hazard categories
Workplace Control: Subject to workplace safety regulations in most countries, including mandatory hazard communication, employee training, and emergency procedures
Environmental Controls: Subject to environmental rules for hazardous chemical handling, storage, discharge, and transportation
Use Restrictions: Some jurisdictions limit certain applications and set reporting thresholds for handling and release
