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Chemical Identification/RIDS Chemical Name: SULFURIC ACID Regulatory Name: SULFURIC ACID (AEROSOL FORMS ONLY) SULFURIC ACID NFPA Codes F: 0 NFPA Codes H: 3 NFPA Codes R: 2 NFPA Codes S: No water Formula: H2SO4 DOT: CORROSIVE UN Num: 1830 Sec 112R: ❑ CAATQ: 313: ❑ EHS: EHSTPQ: 1000 RCRA: CERCLA: RQ: 1000 CHRIS: SFA CAS: 7664-93-9 STCC: 4930040 General Description Sulfuric acid is a colorless oily liquid. It is soluble in water with release of heat. It is corrosive to metals and tissue. It will char wood and most other organic matter on contact, but is unlikely to cause a fire. Density 15 Ib / gal. Long term exposure to low concentrations or short term exposure to high concentrations can result in adverse health effects from inhalation. It is used to make fertilizers and other chemicals, in petroleum refining, in iron and steel production, and for many other uses. Rate of onset: Immediate Persistence: Hours, days Odor threshold: Source/use/other hazard: Battery/dyes/paper/glue/metals industries; volcanic gas; toxic fumes when heated CRIMINAL/TERRORIST USE OF CHEMICAL/BIOLOGICAL AGENTS The following is intended to supply information to first responders for use in making a preliminary assessment of a situation that they suspect involves criminal/terrorist use of chemical and/or biological (CB) agents. To aid in the assessment, a list of observable indicators of the use and/or presence of a CB agent is provided in the following paragraphs. This preamble about differences goes into indicators section of bio and chem. databases DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A CHEMICAL AND A BIOLOGICAL AGENT Chemical and biological agents can be dispersed in the air we breathe, the water we drink, or on surfaces we physically contact. Dispersion methods may be as simple as opening a container, using conventional (garden) spray devices, or as elaborate as detonating an improvised explosive device. Chemical Incidents are characterized by the rapid onset of medical symptoms (minutes to hours) and easily observed signatures (colored residue, dead foliage, pungent odor, dead insects and animals). Biological Incidents are characterized by the onset of symptoms in hours to days. Typically, there will be no characteristic signatures because biological agents are usually odorless and colorless. Because of the delayed onset of symptoms in a biological incident, the area affected may be greater due to the movement of infected individuals. INDICATORS OF A POSSIBLE CHEMICAL INCIDENT Dead animals/birds/fish Not just an occasional road kill, but numerous animals (wild and domestic, small and large), birds, and fish in the same area. Lack of insect life If normal insect activity (ground, air, and/or water) is missing, check the ground/water surface/shore line for dead insects. If near water, check for dead fish/aquatic birds. Unexplained odors Smells may range from fruity to flowery to sharp/pungent to garlic/ horseradish -like to bitter almonds/peach kernels to new mown hay. It is important to note that the particular odor is completely out of character with its surroundings. 6/12/2007 Printed from CAMEO Page 1