Product Name: Succinic Acid
Chemical Formula: C4H6O4
CAS Number: 110-15-6
Physical Appearance: White, odorless crystals or powder with a faintly acidic taste, soluble in water. Succinic acid runs as a widely used intermediate, especially in polymers, resins, and as a metabolic component in food and pharmaceuticals. We see the demand for high purity almost everywhere, so molecular identification ought to stay at top-of-mind for anyone handling it.
GHS Classification: Eye irritation, Category 2A; Skin irritation, Category 2.
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation, may cause mild skin irritation. Not classified as toxic by inhalation or ingestion at low amounts relevant to workplace handling, but contact with eyes delivers a sharp stinging sensation and redness. Product dust can aggravate existing respiratory conditions in poorly ventilated plants. Without proper PPE and training, workplace exposures may go unreported until symptoms show.
Pictograms: Exclamation mark symbol for the irritant classification. Far too few plants take GHS labeling seriously. Ongoing training and labeling in multiple languages help reduce mistakes among rotating crews.
Component: Succinic Acid, Purity >99%.
Impurities: Trace organic acids and water, depending on manufacturing route and drying efficiency. Figures sometimes range below 0.1%, but can climb if crystallization and filtration steps don’t run optimally.
Molecular Weight: 118.09 g/mol.
Eye Contact: Immediate irrigation with plenty of water, keep eyelids open, continue rinsing for no less than 15 minutes. Get medical attention for persistent redness or pain. Fast action prevents long-term injury; delayed intervention causes mechanical abrasion from acid crystals.
Skin Contact: Wash off with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing. Affected personnel should be monitored for persistent irritation or rash.
Inhalation: Exposed personnel moved to fresh air. If cough or respiratory distress persists, seek medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting. Medical evaluation recommended for significant ingestion. Biggest risk comes from children in non-industrial settings.
Suitable Extinguishing Agents: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide. Succinic acid does not ignite easily under normal plant storage, but dust in air can combust if exposed to open flame or spark.
Specific Hazards: Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide may develop at high temperatures. Closed drums in fire situations may rupture from gas pressure—use remote cooling and avoid confined spaces.
Advice for Firefighters: Wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus. Limited visibility and reactivity of spilled molten acid create challenges for first responders in processing settings.
Personal Precautions: Ventilate area. Avoid breathing dust. Evacuate non-essential personnel. Use proper PPE—N95 or higher dust mask, chemical goggles, gloves, antistatic clothing.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent discharge to natural water or sewage systems, as concentrated acid can disrupt pH balance and aquatic organisms. We recommend spill boundaries using diking materials to keep product localized.
Clean-up Methods: Sweep up and shovel into appropriate containers. Avoid raising dust; moisten spill with water if possible. Wash area generously after cleaning. Large spills require assessment to avoid overloading plant wastewater systems.
Precautions for Safe Handling: Handle in well-ventilated, dry areas away from incompatible substances, such as strong oxidizers, alkalis, and bases. Use proper lifting techniques—heavy bags and drums cause musculoskeletal injury if procedures get skipped during shift changes. Eye wash and safety shower accessible in work zones.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed containers away from moisture and temperature extremes. Hygroscopicity leads to product caking and loss of flowability, especially in humid regions or poorly maintained silos.
Special Notes: Regular drum inspection and pest control limit contamination; silos and bins can attract condensation-related corrosion that sheds debris into raw product and ruins purity.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established OEL from OSHA or ACGIH for succinic acid, yet dust/mist exposure below 10 mg/m³ as nuisance levels commonly referenced.
Engineering Controls: Process enclosure and local exhaust ventilation cut airborne concentrations. The addition of dust collection units on bagging lines and transfer stations prevents chronic respiratory complaints.
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, PVC), dust mask or respirator in high-dust environments, and antistatic clothing. We reinforce this with daily toolbox talks blended with regular PPE audits.
Appearance: White solid, crystalline powder.
Odor: Odorless or faintly acidic.
Melting Point: Roughly 185–190°C.
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling.
Solubility: Soluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol and ether.
pH: Acidic—1% aqueous solution around pH 2.5–3.0.
Density: 1.56 g/cm³.
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature. Our operators have found that rapid shifts in environmental temperature promote condensation and caking, so climate control is as important as raw data on solubility.
Stability: Chemically stable under normal conditions. Moisture absorption over time reduces flow and causes storage complications.
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizers, alkalis, and bases—producing heat and possibly hazardous byproducts. Many operators underestimate incompatibility, risking drum rupture or off-spec reactions in adjacent production lines.
Decomposition: Thermal breakdown releases carbon oxides and trace irritating fumes.
Inhalation: Dust can cause respiratory tract irritation, coughing, shortness of breath. Long-term lung effects largely undocumented in people, but animal models suggest repeated exposure raises irritation risks.
Ingestion: Low acute toxicity; high doses may cause gastrointestinal distress. Incidents of misuse rare, yet bulk handling in food-grade plants demands strict training protocols.
Skin/Eye Contact: Causes irritation, redness, pain. Severity increases with dust exposure, inadequate PPE, or poor hygiene at the end of shifts.
Chronic Effects: No known carcinogenic effects or bioaccumulation. Occupational monitoring relies heavily on consistent incident reporting and engagement with safety managers.
Aquatic Toxicity: Low toxicity reported for aquatic organisms, but acidification of local water sources near manufacturing outfalls changes population dynamics for sensitive species. Even low concentrations can shift pH and contribute to localized eutrophication or biomonitoring flags during annual audits.
Persistence/Degradability: Readily biodegradable under typical environmental conditions.
Bioaccumulation: No significant tendency for bioaccumulation.
Waste Disposal: According to local, national, and federal regulations, succinic acid waste gets handled as non-hazardous industrial material if kept free from heavy metal or organic contamination. Bulk spills go for authorized landfill or incineration routes. Onsite neutralization with lime or sodium carbonate sometimes used for large aqueous releases, followed by industrial effluent monitoring. Mishandled waste will quickly draw regulatory attention, so a robust disposal SOP saves both money and reputation.
UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for road, sea, or air shipment under typical consignment quantities.
Packing Group: Avoids hazard labels in most jurisdictions. Drum palette stability requires banding and shrink-wrapping to avoid punctures during long-haul transport. Bulk flow by pneumatic truck or rail car subject to regular inspections for corrosion and seals. Even with non-hazardous status, inventory tracking matters for compliance on traceability and recalls.
Chemical Listing: Registered under TSCA, REACH, and similar authorities in high-volume manufacturing regions. Not classified as carcinogenic or persistent organic pollutant.
Workplace Requirements: Sites handle regular reporting to environmental and occupational regulators. Managing documentation and employee training sit central to daily operations. Safety data reviews run as routine exercises prior to product grade changes or packaging updates, not just paperwork for inspectors.
