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Product Name: Thioglycolic Acid
Synonyms: Mercaptoacetic acid
Chemical Formula: C2H4O2S
CAS Number: 68-11-1
Recommended Use: Used as a chemical depilatory, in hair perming products, as a corrosion inhibitor, and in the manufacture of thermoplastic polymers.
Supplier Contacts: Manufacturer details, emergency contact numbers, and address should be present on the delivered MSDS or product container for immediate access in an emergency, ensuring quick coordination with first responders or workplace safety personnel.
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity, Oral (Category 4); Skin irritation (Category 2); Serious eye damage (Category 1); Specific target organ toxicity—single exposure (Category 3, respiratory tract irritation)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed. Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye damage. May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection, and face protection during handling. Do not breathe dust, fumes, mist, or vapors. Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling. Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
Pictograms: Corrosive, Exclamation mark.
Possible Health Effects: Inhalation leads to respiratory distress, headache, and dizziness. Skin exposure may cause redness or blistering. Eye contact leads to severe irritation, pain, and vision impairment. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and possibly systemic toxicity.
Chemical Name: Thioglycolic Acid
Concentration: Approximately 80–100% (varies depending on commercial product)
Other Identifiers: EINECS Number: 200-677-4
Impurities: Usually contains water and trace levels of metals from manufacturing processes.
Molecular Weight: 92.12 g/mol
General Advice: Immediate medical attention is necessary; ensure responders avoid contact.
Inhalation: Move affected individual to fresh air, monitor for respiratory distress, and provide oxygen if breathing becomes difficult. Seek medical help.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, making sure to gently wash away residue. Call a doctor for assessment.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, holding eyelids apart. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, then continue rinsing. Urgent specialist evaluation needed.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, avoid induction of vomiting unless advised. Give water if conscious. Call poison center or physician immediately.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, foam, or water spray. Stay aware of the possibility of generating irritating or toxic fumes.
Special Hazards: Combustion generates toxic gases including sulfur oxides and carbon oxides. Heated containers may rupture under pressure.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and chemical protective clothing to limit exposure.
Advice for Firefighters: Approach fire from upwind to avoid hazardous vapors. Apply regular fire safety procedures for chemical fires, avoiding use of high pressure stream which can spread corrosive liquid.
Combustion Products: Burns produce hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and other noxious gases.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unprotected personnel from the spill area. Only trained staff with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles, respiratory protection, boots, and chemical-resistant gloves should attempt cleanup.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release into sewers, drains, or watercourses. Dike area to contain spills. Notify environmental authorities if major leaks reach the environment.
Cleanup Methods: Ventilate area. Absorb with inert material (sand, earth, vermiculite), collect into suitable closed containers. Neutralize residue with a mild alkali before rinsing with water. Dispose of waste as hazardous material, following local guidelines.
Decontamination: Clean tools and surfaces with abundant water. Isolate contaminated materials.
Safe Handling: Avoid inhaling vapors. Wear appropriate PPE. Work under fume hood when possible. Do not eat, drink, or smoke near this chemical. Use only with adequate ventilation.
Storage Conditions: Store in original tightly closed containers, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from incompatible materials like oxidizers, acids, and bases. Protect from physical damage and moisture.
Incompatible Products: Avoid storing with strong oxidizing agents, reducing agents, bases, and peroxides.
Packing Materials: Use corrosion-resistant materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or glass for storage vessels.
Exposure Limits: No established OSHA or ACGIH exposure limit for thioglycolic acid currently. Set workplace limits based on hazard assessments.
Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hood or equivalent exhaust ventilation. Use safety shower and eyewash station nearby.
Personal Protection: Wear impervious gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), chemical splash goggles, lab coat, and face shield where splashing or high vapor exposure may occur. For bulk work, wear respiratory protection with at least organic vapor/acid gas cartridges.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, exposed skin, and face after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and clean before reuse.
Appearance: Clear to yellowish, oily liquid
Odor: Pungent, characteristic odor resembling sulfur compounds
pH: Less than 1 (20% solution)
Melting Point: -16°C
Boiling Point: 96°C at 18 mmHg
Flash Point: >110°C (closed cup)
Flammability: Not readily flammable under standard conditions, but supports combustion
Vapor Pressure: 0.67 mmHg at 20°C
Density: 1.326 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Miscible with water, soluble in alcohols and slightly in ether
Other Properties: Hygroscopic, attacks metals in presence of moisture.
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions. Prolonged exposure to air and light accelerates degradation.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sunlight, incompatibles.
Incompatible Materials: Bases, oxidizers, reducing agents, peroxides. Corrodes many metals.
Decomposition Products: Releases sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide under high temperatures or fire.
Reactivity: Highly reactive with strong bases and oxidizers, leading to exothermic reactions or potentially hazardous byproducts.
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): ~72 mg/kg. Toxic by ingestion.
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Leads to moderate to severe burns with potential for long-term scarring.
Serious Eye Damage: Produces severe pain, convulsions of the eyelids, chemical burns, and vision damage.
Respiratory Sensitization: Vapors may irritate airways and lungs. Shortness of breath and coughing can occur.
Chronic Effects: Repeated or prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis and respiratory issues.
Carcinogenicity: No classification as a human carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA.
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: Data insufficient; use with caution to reduce risks.
Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic life with lasting effects. LC50 for fish (96h): ~150 mg/L.
Persistence and Degradability: Moderately persistent in water; slow to biodegrade in low-oxygen environments.
Bioaccumulation: Low potential, but not expected to accumulate at dangerous levels.
Mobility in Soil: Mobile in aquifers and wet soils, presenting potential for groundwater contamination.
Other Hazards: Releases acidifying components into water and soil, potentially disrupting plant and animal communities if released in significant quantities.
Waste Handling: Dispose of as hazardous chemical waste in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. Do not pour into drains or water bodies.
Disposal Containers: Use corrosion-resistant, tightly sealed containers. Label clearly with contents and associated hazards.
Disposal Methods: Neutralize with sodium bicarbonate under controlled conditions for small amounts, then follow up with authorized waste disposal agency pickup.
Packaging Disposal: Rinse containers thoroughly, collect rinse liquids for hazardous waste treatment only. Do not reuse empty packaging.
UN Number: 1949
UN Proper Shipping Name: Thioglycolic Acid, solution
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substance)
Packing Group: II
Label Requirements: Corrosive (Class 8), with subsidiary risk labels if mixed or diluted with other hazardous chemicals.
Marine Pollutant: Yes, transport accordingly to IMDG Code.
Special Precautions: Secure tightly closed containers during transport. Avoid proximity to food, feed, and incompatible chemicals.
US TSCA: Listed on Toxic Substances Control Act inventory.
EU REACH: Registered; substance of concern for environmental persistence and commercial uses.
OSHA: Regulated as a hazardous chemical with specific workplace standards.
WHMIS (Canada): Classified as D1B (Toxic), E (Corrosive).
SARA Title III Sections 311/312: Chemical subject to acute health hazard reporting.
Other Applicable Laws: Compliance required with federal, state, and local environmental and occupational health and safety regulations for handling, transport, use, and disposal.
