Product Name: M-Cresol Sulfonic Acid
Synonyms: Meta-Cresol Sulfonic Acid, 3-Methylphenol Sulfonic Acid
Chemical Formula: C7H8O4S
CAS Number: 6182-99-6
Recommended Use: Intermediate for resins, chemical manufacturing, surface treatment
Supplier Information: Manufacturer contact with address, emergency phone number, and email for technical service inquiries; safety department recommendation for industrial or laboratory consumption only, not for household use.
GHS Classification: Skin Corrosion/Irritation (Category 1B), Serious Eye Damage (Category 1), Acute Toxicity Oral (Category 4), Acute Toxicity Inhalation (Category 4)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; May cause respiratory irritation; Harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; Do not breathe dust, mist, or vapors; Wash hands thoroughly after handling; Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye/face protection; If exposed or concerned, seek medical attention immediately.
Potential Health Effects: Burns to skin, respiratory tract and mucous membranes, risk of blindness, inhalation may result in chemical pneumonia or delayed pulmonary edema; ingestion triggers gastrointestinal burns.
Chemical Name: M-Cresol Sulfonic Acid
Concentration: 98% - 100% by weight
Impurities: Trace cresol isomers (<2%), residual sulfuric acid (<0.5%)
Other Names: 3-Methylphenol-4-sulfonic acid; Cresylic acid sulfonic acid
Molecular Weight: 188.20 g/mol
Inhalation: Remove from exposure area to fresh air immediately, keep person warm, administer artificial respiration if breathing has stopped, provide oxygen if breathing is labored, seek urgent medical evaluation
Skin Contact: Rapidly flush skin with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes or longer while removing contaminated clothing and shoes, discard or thoroughly clean all clothing before reuse, obtain emergency medical treatment
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15–20 minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids, remove any contact lenses if present and easy to do, immediate medical evaluation essential to prevent permanent injury
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, never induce vomiting, give nothing by mouth if victim is unconscious, seek immediate hospital care (risk of severe corrosive injury to mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach), monitor airway and vital signs.
Most Important Symptoms/Effects: Chemical burns, respiratory distress, eye pain or vision loss, delayed lung injury, gastrointestinal bleeding.
Notes to Physician: Immediate specialist assessment, maintain airway and circulation, symptomatic and supportive treatment, no specific antidote available.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, water spray (do not use direct water jet on spilled chemical, risk of splatter)
Specific Hazards: Decomposition when heated releases toxic vapors such as sulfur oxides, phenolic compounds, and carbon monoxide.
Protective Equipment: Full protective suit and approved self-contained breathing apparatus, avoid inhalation of combustion products
Fire-Fighting Instructions: Approach from upwind, fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders, keep containers cool by spraying with water, contain and collect contaminated extinguishing water separately (avoid entering drains or environment).
Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential personnel, use chemical splash goggles, face shield, acid-resistant gloves, boots, and protective suit; offer adequate ventilation, restrict area until cleanup is complete
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe, do not discharge to surface waters, storm sewers, or soil; notify authorities in case of significant spillage
Spill Cleanup Methods: Stop source of leak if safe, neutralize residue with sodium bicarbonate or suitable alkali, absorb with inert dry material such as sand or vermiculite, collect into tightly closed containers for disposal, thoroughly decontaminate the area; all equipment used in the handling and cleanup must be decontaminated before reuse.
Handling: Use only in chemical fume hood or well-ventilated area, keep away from strong oxidizers, bases, and incompatible organics, use proper protective equipment including acid-resistant gloves, face/eye protection, and suitable clothing, wash thoroughly after use, avoid generating aerosols or mists, never pipette by mouth, ensure that safety showers and eyewash stations are accessible
Storage: Store tightly closed in original container, in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and sources of heat; keep separate from foodstuffs, bases, amines, nitrates, and oxidizers, ensure all containers are clearly labeled and compatible with acidic materials; secondary containment required for bulk storage to contain spills.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established ACGIH or OSHA exposure limits; minimize exposure as much as practicable, use local exhaust ventilation in all areas of application, monitor air for presence of hazardous vapors
Engineering Controls: Chemical fume hood, forced ventilation, sealed systems to minimize release, regularly check equipment integrity
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles and face shield, acid-resistant gloves (neoprene, butyl rubber), full-body acid-resistant clothing, closed-toe shoes or boots; use respiratory protection if airborne concentration exceeds recommended limits or during spill response
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, face, and any exposed skin before breaks or leaving work area, do not eat, drink, or smoke near product application or storage areas.
Appearance: Clear to yellowish-brown liquid
Odor: Pungent, phenolic
Odor Threshold: No data available
pH: <1 (strongly acidic, highly corrosive)
Melting Point: <10°C
Boiling Point/Range: Approximately 210°C
Flash Point: >100°C (closed cup, not classified as flammable under normal use)
Evaporation Rate: No data available
Flammability: Not highly flammable; supports combustion at elevated temperatures
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Vapor Density: Heavier than air
Solubility: Completely miscible in water, alcohols; forms acidic, corrosive solutions
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): No data
Relative Density: 1.3–1.4 g/cm³ at 20°C
Viscosity: No data
Decomposition Temperature: Above 250°C
Explosive Properties: Not explosive
Oxidizing Properties: Does not act as an oxidizer.
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; prolonged exposure to moist air can lead to hydrolysis or digestion
Reactivity: Strong acid, reacts exothermically with bases, amines, and many organic materials; violent reaction possible with strong oxidizers, nitrating agents, and alkali metals
Hazardous Decomposition: On thermal decomposition produces sulfur oxides, methylphenols, carbon oxides
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, open flames, direct sunlight, incompatible materials (bases, oxidizers, reducing agents)
Incompatible Materials: Alkalis, sodium hypochlorite, cyanides, active metals
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not occur.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): estimates range from 200 to 500 mg/kg (harmful if swallowed); Inhalation LC50: harmful at high concentration but exact values not well defined; Dermal LD50 (rabbit): moderate toxicity, causes severe burns and can be absorbed through skin with systemic effects
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Results in severe irritation and burns, chronic exposure may cause dermatitis or ulceration
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes severe eye burns, potential for permanent eye damage or blindness
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: Not classified as a sensitizer, can cause severe irritation
Germ Cell Mutagenicity: No data available; tests with cresol derivatives show low mutagenic potential
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by ACGIH, IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Reproductive Toxicity: No data on reproductive effects; methylphenol analogs not reported to cause reproductive toxicity
Specific Target Organ Toxicity: Inhalation or ingestion may lead to systemic toxicity affecting kidneys, liver, and central nervous system
Aspiration Hazard: Aspiration into lungs can cause chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, potentially fatal.
Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms, fish and invertebrates; high concentrations can cause long-term harmful effects in aquatic environments
Persistence and Degradability: May persist in water and soil if released, sulfonic acid group may reduce natural biodegradation rates compared to methylphenol alone
Bioaccumulative Potential: Limited bioaccumulation expected due to high water solubility, but phenolic components could concentrate in certain aquatic species
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile due to solubility, risk to groundwater if large spills not properly controlled
Other Adverse Effects: Low volatility means air contamination unlikely; breakdown forms may remain hazardous or toxic, need for thorough environmental monitoring following accidental discharge or chronic release.
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of through licensed chemical waste contractor; preferred methods include incineration in controlled facility equipped with scrubbers for acid gases
Contaminated Packaging: Dispose containers as hazardous waste, cleanse and neutralize all empty containers prior to recycling or disposal
Precautions: Neutralize residual products prior to sewer disposal, never dump large volumes directly into drains or natural bodies of water; recovery and reuse not recommended due to corrosive hazards
Local Regulations: Consult national, regional, and local regulations before disposal; exact treatment/disposal practice must comply with legislative requirements in respective jurisdiction.
UN Number: 2585
UN Proper Shipping Name: Alkylsulfonic acids, liquid, with more than 5% free sulfur dioxide
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (corrosive substances)
Packing Group: II (medium danger)
Marine Pollutant: Not a designated marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Use only approved, chemical-resistant containers, separate from food and feedstuffs, emergency response instructions should accompany all shipments
Labels Required: Corrosive, keep away from incompatible goods; report any spill immediately to the responsible authorities under international transport regulations (IMDG, ADR, DOT, ICAO/IATA regulations).
International Inventories: Listed in TSCA (US), EINECS (EU), DSL (Canada), ENCS (Japan), and other major chemical inventories
OSHA Hazard Communication: Classified as hazardous under 29 CFR 1910.1200
EPCRA (SARA Title III) Section 313: Not subject to reporting under this section
RCRA Status: Not assigned RCRA waste code; may need D002 (corrosive) for large waste volumes or environmental discharge
California Proposition 65: Not specifically listed as a carcinogen or reproductive toxin
Other Regulatory Info: Must comply with workplace labeling, hazard communication, environmental notification, and import/export chemical control laws; consult safety data sheets and local chemical safety agents for the latest updates.
Worker Protection: Employers must offer regular safety training, maintain accessible emergency showers and eyewash stations, and provide full PPE to anyone handling the product.
