Product Name: DL-Tartaric Acid
Chemical Name: 2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic Acid
Common Names: Racemic Tartaric Acid
CAS Number: 133-37-9
Recommended Use: Food additive, acidulant, chemical reagent
Manufacturer: Refer to container label for specific producer
Contact Information: Emergency contact numbers and addresses should be clearly displayed on the product label or shipping document
Classification: Eye Irritant, Skin Irritant, Possible Respiratory Irritant
GHS Label: Exclamation Mark
Main Hazards: Causes serious eye irritation; may cause skin irritation; can irritate respiratory tract if inhaled as dust
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: H319 - Causes serious eye irritation, H315 - Causes skin irritation, H335 - May cause respiratory irritation
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands thoroughly after handling, wear protective gloves and eye protection, if in eyes rinse cautiously with water for several minutes
Substance: DL-Tartaric Acid
Chemical Formula: C4H6O6
Purity: ≥99%
Impurities: Negligible, may include trace levels of water or inorganic salts depending on source
Synonyms: Racemic 2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid
Molecular Weight: 150.09
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, seek medical attention if coughing, shortness of breath, or irritation develops
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothes, rinse affected skin thoroughly with water and soap, get medical advice if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water for no less than 15 minutes, hold eyelids open, seek medical attention if irritation continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel, drink water to dilute, seek medical help if symptoms occur
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide
Specific Hazards: May release carbon oxides under combustion; dust may form explosive mixtures in air
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing
Special Procedures: Use water spray to cool containers, avoid inhalation of smoke or vapors, prevent runoff from entering drains or waterways
Personal Precautions: Wear dust mask, chemical goggles, and gloves; avoid breathing dust; ensure adequate ventilation
Spill Cleanup Methods: Sweep or shovel spillage into suitable containers for disposal, use non-sparking tools, wipe area with damp cloth or wash with water to fully remove residues
Environmental Precautions: Avoid release to the environment, prevent spillage from reaching drains or waterways
Handling: Avoid creating or breathing dust; use in well-ventilated areas; wear appropriate personal protective equipment; wash hands and exposed skin after handling
Storage: Keep containers tightly closed, dry, and in a cool, ventilated place away from sources of ignition and incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers and bases; store only in original or approved containers; prevent moisture ingress to avoid caking or degradation
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation to reduce airborne concentrations; keep eye wash stations and emergency showers accessible
Respiratory Protection: Wear NIOSH-approved dust respirator if dust generation is likely
Eye Protection: Use chemical safety goggles or face shield
Hand Protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves (such as nitrile or PVC)
Skin and Body Protection: Wear long sleeves and long pants to prevent skin exposure; use lab coat or suitable apron as needed
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this product; wash hands before breaks and after handling
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: Slightly acidulous, odorless
pH: 2.2 – 2.7 (1% solution)
Melting Point: 206°C (402.8°F)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Soluble in water, sparingly soluble in ethanol
Density: 1.79 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable (non-volatile solid)
Flash Point: Not flammable
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Log Kow = -2.65
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, alkaline substances; may react with metals to produce flammable hydrogen gas
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to moisture, high temperatures, and open flames may promote decomposition
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, other irritating gases may form on thermal decomposition
Polymerization: Will not occur under normal conditions
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, eye contact, skin contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 4820 mg/kg
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause skin irritation, dermatitis, or worsen pre-existing respiratory disorders
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Other Health Effects: Eyes highly sensitive to contact; ingesting large amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset, metabolic acidosis, or kidney dysfunction on rare occasions
Ecotoxicity: Low acute toxicity for aquatic life; possible mild pH effect on water bodies in significant concentration
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in soil and water
Bioaccumulative Potential: Not expected to bioaccumulate due to water solubility and rapid breakdown
Mobility in Soil: High mobility, likely to leach in groundwater
Other Environmental Effects: Overuse may contribute to eutrophication if released in large quantities near water sources
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations; do not release in watercourses
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers should be cleaned and recycled or disposed of as non-hazardous waste if possible; avoid reuse for food or personal items
Special Precautions: Do not mix with other waste materials without consulting regulatory guidelines
UN Number: Not regulated under UN transport codes
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as dangerous for transport
Packing Group: None required
Proper Shipping Name: Tartaric Acid
Marine Pollutant: Not expected to be hazardous to the aquatic environment during transport
Special Transport Measures: Protect from moisture and physical damage; ensure containers are well sealed during transit
U.S. Regulations: Listed on TSCA Inventory; GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) for food use; not subject to specific OSHA hazardous chemical requirements
EU Regulations: Listed in EINECS; not classified as a hazardous substance under CLP for consumer use, but caution advised for bulk handling
Other National Inventories: Present on DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia), ENCS (Japan), and other regulatory lists
Labeling Requirements: Appropriate hazard pictogram and safety language as required by local and international guidelines
REACH Status: Registered or pre-registered substance
Other Notification: Food manufacturers should follow local food safety regulations regarding purity, handling, and labeling