Personal precautions: Keep unnecessary and unprotected people away from the spill area. Ventilation area. Use personal protective equipment as required.
Containment and cleanup methods: Do not touch spilled material. Stop or reduce leakage when it is safe to do so. Control and absorb spills using absorbents that will not react with spilled products. Embankments overflow products to prevent runoff. Small spills or leaks: Neutralize with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or soda ash/hydrated lime mixture. Collect using a shovel/spoon or an approved HEPA vacuum cleaner and place in a suitable container for disposal. Large spills or leaks: Dispose of used absorbent in a suitable, covered, labeled container. Collect using a shovel/spoon or an approved HEPA vacuum cleaner and place in a suitable container for disposal.
What are the handling and storage methods for phosphoric acid?
Handling: It is important that all engineering controls are in operation and that protective equipment requirements and personal hygiene measures are complied with prior to handling. Use only in well-ventilated areas. Avoid steam or fog. Report leaks, spills, or malfunctions of safety equipment, such as ventilation systems, immediately. If you move the product to another container, make sure the new container fits the product. Prevent accidental exposure to incompatible chemicals. Do not add water to the corrosive. Always add the etchant slowly to the cold water. Never reuse empty containers, even if they look clean.
Storage: Store in the following areas: cool, dry, well ventilated, away from direct sunlight, away from heat and fire sources, separated from incompatible materials. Keep storage to a minimum. Shelves, floors, walls, etc. should be made of materials resistant to phosphoric acid. Store in original, labeled shipping containers. Store in an airtight container with appropriate labels. Check regularly for signs of physical change or crystallization, damage or leakage. Control spills or leaks by storing containers in pallets made of compatible materials. Install pressure and vacuum relief devices in all barrels. Equip tank vents with flame arresters. Do not deal with swollen drums. Get expert advice.
What personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when using phosphoric acid?
Eye/face protection: Wear chemical safety goggles. Face masks (with goggles) may also be necessary.
Skin protection: Wear chemical protective clothing, such as gloves, aprons, boots. Suitable materials include: Butyl rubber, natural rubber, neoprene, Nitrile rubber, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Viton®, Viton®/ Butyl rubber, Barrier® -PE /PA/PE, Silver Shield® -PE /EVAL/PE, Trellchem® HPS, Trellchem® VPS, Saranex®, Tychem® BR/LV, Tychem® Responder® CSM, Tychem® TK. It is not recommended for very thin natural rubber, neoprene, NBR and PVC gloves (0.3 mm or smaller).
Respiratory protection:
Up to 25 mg/m3:
(APF = 25) any supplied breathing apparatus operating in continuous flow mode *.
* Reported eye irritation or damage; Eye protection may be required.
APF = Specifies the protection factor
The recommendation applies only to respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). For more information, see NIOSH's Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.
