Material Safety Data Sheet: Tartaric Acid

Identification

Product Name: Tartaric Acid
Chemical Formula: C4H6O6
Synonyms: 2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid, Racemic acid, L-(+)-Tartaric acid, D-(–)-Tartaric acid
CAS Number: 133-37-9 (DL), 87-69-4 (L+), 147-71-7 (D–)
Manufacturer: Refer to individual supplier
Recommended Uses: Food additive, acidulant, metal cleaner, pharmaceutical intermediate, chemical reagent

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Eye irritation (Category 2A), Skin irritation (Category 2), Specific target organ toxicity – single exposure (Category 3)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation, causes skin irritation
Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or fume, wash hands thoroughly after handling, use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye protection, if inhaled remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing, rinse eyes cautiously with water for several minutes

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: L-(+)-Tartaric Acid
Concentration: >99%
Impurities/Additives: Usually negligible for laboratory and food-grade materials; may include trace water or structurally related organic acids
Molecular Weight: 150.09 g/mol

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air quickly, seek medical advice if breathing difficulty continues
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected area with plenty of water and soap, medical consultation if persistent irritation develops
Eye Contact: Rinse with copious amounts of clean, tepid water for at least 15 minutes, lift eyelids to ensure thorough cleansing, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, give water to drink if person is conscious, do not induce vomiting, immediate medical evaluation is recommended in case of large ingestion or persistent symptoms
Most Important Symptoms: Redness, pain, burning sensation, watering of eyes, rash, nausea if swallowed in significant quantities

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Special Hazards from Combustion: Emits carbon oxides (CO, CO2) under fire conditions, may release irritating or toxic fumes
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus
Advice for Firefighters: Approach from upwind to avoid toxic vapors; use water spray to cool exposed containers; prevent runoff from entering drains or waterways

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Ventilate area, avoid breathing dust, use appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, dust mask)
Environmental Precautions: Do not allow into drains, surface water, or soil
Methods for Containment and Cleaning Up: Sweep up, collect in suitable container for disposal, wash spillage area with water, avoid raising dust during cleanup

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid formation and inhalation of dust, handle with proper protective gear, wash hands after use, keep containers tightly closed during transfer
Storage Conditions: Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, keep away from incompatible substances such as strong alkalies, oxidizing agents, metal salts, and bases
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong bases, strong reducing agents, metal powders
Storage Temperature: Room temperature, away from moisture and direct heat sources, segregate from food and feedstuffs

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific limits established, minimize exposure
Engineering Controls: Use with adequate ventilation, employ local exhaust if dust is generated, consider dust extraction systems
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety glasses or goggles with side-shields, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or rubber), laboratory coat or appropriate protective clothing, use dust mask or NIOSH-approved respirator if exposure is possible
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling, do not eat, drink or smoke while using the material, remove contaminated clothing after work

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White, crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: 168-170°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Soluble in water (139g/L at 20°C), slightly soluble in ethanol, insoluble in ether
pH (1% solution): 2.2
Density: 1.76 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): log Pow: –2.65
Other Properties: Hygroscopic, non-volatile, stable under normal environmental conditions

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizing agents, strong bases
Hazardous Reactions: May react with alkaline materials to release heat
Decomposition Products: Produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and irritant fumes under thermal decomposition
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, moisture, incompatible substances

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 4,370 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 and Dermal LD50 not available
Symptoms: Irritation of eyes and skin, nausea, abdominal discomfort, potential dehydration at higher doses
Chronic Effects: Repeated skin contact can cause dermatitis; excessive ingestion may disrupt electrolyte balance
Carcinogenicity: No data supporting carcinogenic effects
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: Not classified as mutagenic or teratogenic based on available data

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Not readily harmful to aquatic life under recommended handling
Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable; breaks down via microbial action in soil and water
Mobility: Water-soluble, may leach into soil, unlikely to bioaccumulate
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96h): >100 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Degrades in natural environments within weeks under standard conditions

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose in accordance with local, state, and national regulations, incineration or landfill in approved facility
Product Removal: Small quantities may be dissolved in water, then flushed into drain with copious quantities of water if local regulations permit
Contaminated Packaging: Make sure containers are emptied completely before disposal, dispose through specialized waste disposal contractors where possible

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated for transport by ground, sea, or air
Transport Hazard Class: Non-hazardous for transportation
Packing Group: Not applicable
Marine Pollutant: No
Special Precautions for User: Avoid packaging that could be punctured, ensure secure container closure for bulk shipments to reduce dust generation

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Non-hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA Inventory: Listed
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Listed
REACH (Europe): Registered under EC No. 201-766-0
Food Additive Status: Approved in many countries as E334
SARA 313: Not listed
Labeling Requirements: Ensure proper GHS labeling, keep SDS available to all users
Other Regulations: Not classified as hazardous waste, subject to general workplace safety guidelines
Restrictions: Refer to country-specific regulations for food, pharmaceutical, and industrial use