# 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