Chemical Name: Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid
Synonyms: Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid, LABSA, DBSA
CAS Number: 27176-87-0
Product Use: Surfactant for detergents, emulsifier in industrial cleaning, raw material in chemical manufacturing
Supplier Identification: Manufacturer and local distributor names and contact information, emergency contact phone number, date of issue and revision
Hazard Class: Corrosive to skin and eyes, irritant to respiratory tract
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, harmful if inhaled, reacts with water to produce heat
Pictograms: Corrosion, Exclamation Mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, fumes, gas, mist, or vapors; wash hands thoroughly after handling; use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area; wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection, and face protection
Chemical Identity: Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid
Concentration/Range: Typically 85-99% active acid
Impurities: Water (up to 15%), trace unsulfonated organic matter, trace inorganic salts
Other Ingredients: None declared for standard product
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest in position comfortable for breathing, call for immediate medical attention; if breathing stops give artificial respiration
Skin Contact: Rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing immediately, seek medical care
Eye Contact: Flush eyes cautiously with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes while holding eyelids apart, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, get urgent medical help
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water and give small amounts of water to drink if victim is conscious, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, call poison control center or physician at once
Self-protection for First Aiders: Wear chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection when providing assistance
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, fog, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam, avoiding straight streams of water
Specific Hazards: Product is not combustible, but decomposes under fire conditions to produce toxic gases such as sulfur oxides and carbon oxides
Protective Equipment and Precautions for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective gear, keep upwind of fire, use water spray to cool containers and prevent vapor formation, avoid inhalation of harmful decomposition products
Fire-Fighting Instructions: Move containers from fire area if safe, dike runoff to prevent entry to water sources
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ventilate area, wear chemical splash goggles, acid-resistant gloves, and clothing to prevent skin and eye contact
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, watercourses, basements, or confined areas, inform authorities if product has entered, clean up spill promptly
Containment: Dike with sand, soil, or suitable non-combustible material
Clean up Methods: Absorb with inert material such as vermiculite, collect in suitable containers for disposal, flush residue with plenty of water, neutralize with soda ash or lime if appropriate
Reference for Other Sections: See sections on personal protection and disposal information for safe handling
Safe Handling: Handle only in areas with adequate ventilation, avoid direct contact with product, use mechanical exhaust or process enclosures when possible, keep containers tightly closed, avoid creating aerosols or splashing
Storage Conditions: Store in corrosion-resistant containers with compatible inner lining, keep away from strong bases and oxidizers, maintain at room temperature out of direct sunlight, ensure secondary containment for spill control
Incompatible Materials: Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents, alkalis, and reactive metals such as zinc, aluminum, or magnesium which can generate hydrogen gas
Special Notes for Storage: Check regularly for leaks or corrosion, label all containers with product name and hazards
Occupational Exposure Limits: No ACGIH or OSHA TLV established, keep exposure as low as possible with adequate controls
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, mechanical ventilation at point of emission, safety showers and eyewash stations in the immediate area
Personal Protective Equipment:
Gloves: Neoprene or nitrile resistant, check often for degradation
Eye/Face: Tight-fitting chemical splash goggles and full-face shield
Skin/Body: Full body-covering chemical-resistant clothing
Respiratory: NIOSH-certified acid gas respirator where airborne concentrations are expected or known to exceed limits, or where ventilation is not adequate
General Hygiene: Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling, never eat, drink, or smoke in work area
Appearance: Oily dark brown to amber liquid
Odor: Penetrating, characteristic aromatic odor
pH: Strongly acidic (pH 0.5–2 for concentrated solution)
Melting/Freezing Point: Below room temperature for liquid form
Boiling Point/Range: Decomposes above 315°C
Flash Point: Above 140°C (closed cup, non-flammable under normal conditions)
Evaporation Rate: Not determined; low volatility
Flammability: Not classified as flammable
Vapor Pressure: Less than 0.01 mmHg at 25°C
Vapor Density: Not determined
Relative Density: About 1.05–1.09 at 25°C
Solubility: Readily soluble in water, forms acidic, clear to hazy solutions
Partition Coefficient: Not available
Autoignition Temperature: Not self-igniting
Viscosity: Highly viscous in concentrated form
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions, decomposes at elevated temperatures, exposure to light has no significant effect
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid heat above 80°C, direct contact with strong bases, oxidizing agents, water-reactive materials
Incompatible Materials: Avoid sodium hypochlorite (chlorine gas formation), peroxides, oxidizers, and metals like zinc and aluminum
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide and dioxide, benzene derivatives
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 500–2000 mg/kg, may be harmful if swallowed
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe burns, pain, redness, blistering
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes severe damage, possible blindness
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: No known sensitization
Other Effects: Inhalation of mists can cause coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat; chronic exposure to low concentrations may cause dermatitis
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Other Health Effects: Repeated or prolonged skin exposure can cause serious tissue destruction, no known effects on reproductive organs or development in humans
Ecotoxicity: Very toxic to aquatic life, algae, daphnia, fish (LC50 values as low as 1–10 mg/L for some freshwater species), rapid degradation in environment when neutralized
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in biological wastewater treatment systems, substantial degradation under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions
Bioaccumulative Potential: Does not bioaccumulate, breakdown products are water-soluble
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to solubility in water, risk for groundwater contamination if released in large quantities
Other Adverse Effects: Low potential for long-term harm to birds or mammals if contaminant is neutralized
Product Disposal: Dispose in accordance with local, regional, national, and international regulations, neutralize acidic waste with an alkaline material before disposal
Contaminated Containers: Rinse thoroughly with water or neutralizing solution, dispose of as hazardous waste per local and state code
Sewage Disposal: Do not discharge untreated into sewers, waterways, or on ground
Disposal Cautions: Generation of heat and possible release of fumes during neutralization, wear full protective equipment during handling and disposal
UN Number: UN 2586
Proper Shipping Name: Alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, liquid
Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive materials)
Packing Group: II
Labels Required: Corrosive (Class 8)
Special Precautions for Transport: Ensure closure of containers, check containers for corrosion before shipment, emergency instructions and emergency equipment available during transit
Transport by Road, Rail, Sea, Air: Follow relevant national and international regulations (ADR/RID/IMDG/IATA), segregate from incompatible goods during transport
TSCA Status: Listed or exempt in the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
EPA SARA Title III: Not designated as an extremely hazardous substance; not on Section 313 Toxic Chemicals list
RCRA Status: Not listed as a hazardous waste under RCRA, though acidity or quantity of bulk waste may trigger local classification
OSHA: Covered as a corrosive chemical under Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
REACH Registration: Registered as required for production and import into EU member states
Other Regulations: Subject to community right-to-know laws, listed in Chemical Weapons Convention, reporting obligations in many local jurisdictions, consult local regulations for additional requirements or registration
