Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LACTIC ACID

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Cultured dairy products, as an acidulant additive in foods, manufacture of lactate
chemicals (salts, plasticizers, adhesives, pharmaceuticals), mordant in dyeing wool.
Laboratory reagent.

SYNONYMS

C3-H6-O3, "acetonic acid", "milk acid", "Food Acid 270", "Food Additive 270",
"ethylidenelactic acid", "1-hydroxyethanecarboxylic acid", "1-hydroxyethanecarboxylic
acid", "2-hydroxypropanoic acid", "2-hydroxypropanoic acid", "2-hydroxypropionic acid",
"2-hydroxypropionic acid", "alpha-hydroxypropionic acid", "propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-",
"propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-", "propionic acid, 2-hydroxy-", "propionic acid, 2-hydroxy-
", "racemic lactic acid", DL-lactic, "for L-(+)-lactic acid", "for L-(+)-lactic acid",
"paralactic acid", "sarcolactic acid", lactol, "Merck 10138", "Purac PH-90"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Use as a food additive indicates good tolerance of small amounts, but excessive amounts or overuse may bring irritant and / or harmful effects.  Ingestion may result in nausea, abdominal irritation, pain and diarrhea.  Ingestion of low-molecular organic acid solutions may produce spontaneous hemorrhaging, production of blood clots, gastrointestinal damage and narrowing of the esophagus and stomach entry.  

EYE

  The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  Solutions of low-molecular weight organic acids cause pain and injuryto the eyes.  The material may produce severe irritation to the eye causing pronounced inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  if exposure is prolonged.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  if exposure is prolonged.  The material may cause severe skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin. Repeated exposures may produce severe ulceration.  

INHALED

  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  Inhalation of quantities of liquid mist may be extremely hazardous, even lethal due to spasm, extreme irritation of larynx and bronchi, chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact.  with the material.  As with any chemical product, contact with unprotected bare skin; inhalation of vapor, mist or dust in work place atmosphere; or ingestion in any form, should be avoided by observing good occupational work practice.