Perchloric Acid

Chemical Name: CAS #:
Hazard Classification:
Location Used: Principal Investigator:
Processes for Which Chemical Is Used:
HAZARDS AND PROTECTION
Hazard Information
• Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
• May cause fire or explosion
• Strong oxidizer
• Corrosive to metals
Routes of Exposure
• Ingestion ● Skin Absorption
• Inhalation
• Eye absorption
If exposed by:
• Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If not
breathing, give artificial respiration.
• Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse
mouth with water.
• Eye or skin: Remove contaminated clothing.
Rinse with plenty of water for 15 minutes.
Wash skin with soap and water. If in eyes,
continue rinsing with water during transport
to hospital.
If exposed by any route, seek immediate medical
attention.
Symptoms of Exposure
• Burning sensation
• Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath,
laryngitis
Special Use Requirements
Perchloric acid has special use requirements. These
requirements are for use of perchloric acid at any
concentration.
• Remove any organic materials from the area.
• After working with perchloric acid, the area
must be decontaminated with a 10% sodium
carbonate solution.
Engineering Controls
• Chemical Fume Hood Never open perchloric acid outside of a chemical fume
hood.
Perchloric acid 7601-90-3
Health Hazard and Physical Hazard
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY EHS
LABORATORY CHEMICAL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
CS-005 Last Reviewed July 8, 2019
Administrative Controls
• Designated area sign
• Particularly hazardous substance label
• Post designated area sign before each use.
• Label containers of perchloric acid as a health
and physical hazard.
• Use as small a quantity as possible.
Personal Protective Equipment
• Gloves
• Splash goggles
• Lab coat
Wash hands immediately after use. Splash goggles
must be worn when working with solutions of
perchloric acid greater than 1%.
OTHER SAFETY INFORMATION
Transportation Follow guidance given in the laboratory safety manual
for transport of chemicals.
Storage
• Store in cabinet with other acids, but in a
separate secondary container.
• Do not store in metal containers.
• Do not store near organic materials.
• Keep away from heat and open flames.
Incompatible materials include:
Strong bases, strong acids, amines, phosphorus
halides, alcohols, organic materials, powdered metals,
strong reducing agents
Spill/Accident Procedures
For all spills:
• Wear nitrile gloves, splash goggles and lab
coat
• Evacuate the immediate area
Exposure:
• If anyone exposed requires emergency
medical attention, dial 911 (or 9-911 from
landline).
• Follow procedures outlined in laboratory
safety manual.
Small spills (less than 50 mL in a hood): Cover spills of
dry chemical with sand or other inorganic absorbent.
Do not use organic materials such as paper to absorb!
Sweep contents into a non-metal container collection
by EHS. If the spill is liquids, cover with absorbent
material and then place the absorbent materials in a
glass container for collection by EHS. Clean area with
soap and water once spill is removed.
Large spills (greater than 50 mL in a hood or any
amount outside a fume hood): If the spill is in a
chemical fume hood, contact the EHS director (864-
710-2933). If he cannot be reached (does not answer
phone, do not leave voicemail), then call 911, pull the
fire alarm and exit the building. If the spill is outside of
a hood, then call 911, pull the fire alarm and exit the
building.
Waste Disposal Waste perchloric acid must be collected for disposal.
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY EHS
LABORATORY CHEMICAL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
CS-005 Last