Citric acid SDS/MSDS (Safety Data Sheet)

3.1 Substances
Product name: Citric acid
CAS Number: 77-92-9
PubChem CID: 311
Molecular formula: C6H8O7
Molecular weight: 192.12 g/mol
IUPAC name: 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid

3.2 Mixtures
Not applicable (pure substance).

4.1 Description of first aid measures
Inhalation: Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.
Skin contact: Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention .
Eye contact: First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Refer for medical attention .

4.2 Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
See Section 11 (Toxicological Information).

4.3 Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
Treat symptomatically. Contact a poison control center or physician for severe exposure.

5.1 Extinguishing media
Suitable: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide (CO2), alcohol-resistant foam.
Unsuitable: None known.

5.2 Specific hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Fire Extinguishing Agents: Water, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide (USCG, 1999)
Use water spray, powder, foam, carbon dioxide.
Extinguish with/ water, foam, dry chem, carbon dioxide.

5.3 Advice for firefighters
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective clothing.
Fight fire from upwind. Cool containers with water spray until fire is extinguished.
Flash point: 100 °C

6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (see Section 8).
Avoid breathing dust/vapor. Ensure adequate ventilation.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Keep people away from and upwind of spill.

6.2 Environmental precautions
Prevent product from entering drains, waterways, or soil.
Contain spill with inert absorbent material.

6.3 Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Wash away remainder with plenty of water.
Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Wash away remainder with plenty of water.
SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.
Inject at base of incinerator equipped with afterburner. Flammable solvent may be added.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work.
Closed system, ventilation, explosion-proof electrical equipment and lighting. Prevent deposition of dust.
SRP: Local exhaust ventilation should be applied wherever there is an incidence of point source emissions or dispersion of regulated contaminants in the work area. Ventilation control of the contaminant as close to its point of generation is both the most economical and safest method to minimize personnel exposure to airborne contaminants. Ensure that the local ventilation moves the contaminant away from the worker.
SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses by industrial workers is inconsistent. The benefits or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

7.1 Precautions for safe handling
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.
STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should store this chemical under refrigerated temperatures, and protect it from moisture. (NTP, 1992)
Separated from strong oxidants, strong bases, metal nitrates and metals. Dry.
Crystalline citric acid, anhydrous, can be stored in dry form without difficulty, although conditions of high humidity and elevated temperatures should be avoided to prevent caking. Storage should be in tight containers to prevent exposure to moist air. Several granulations are commercially available with the larger particle sizes having less tendency toward caking.
Temperature: ambient; Venting: open.
Containers: 230 lb Barrels, bags, kegs, boxes, cartons, fiber drums, bottles.
Separated from strong oxidants, strong bases, metal nitrates and metals. Dry.

7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Separated from strong oxidants, strong bases, metal nitrates and metals. Dry.
Crystalline citric acid, anhydrous, can be stored in dry form without difficulty, although conditions of high humidity and elevated temperatures should be avoided to prevent caking. Storage should be in tight containers to prevent exposure to moist air. Several granulations are commercially available with the larger particle sizes having less tendency toward caking.
Temperature: ambient; Venting: open.
Containers: 230 lb Barrels, bags, kegs, boxes, cartons, fiber drums, bottles.
Separated from strong oxidants, strong bases, metal nitrates and metals. Dry.
Store away from incompatible materials (see Section 10).
[Note: Specific storage temperature not available in public databases. Refer to supplier Certificate of Analysis (COA) for exact storage conditions.]

9.1 Information on basic physical and chemical properties
a) Appearance: Citric acid appears as colorless, odorless crystals with an acid taste. Denser than water. (USCG, 1999)
b) Odor: Odorless
c) Odor threshold: No data available
d) pH: No data available
e) Melting point/freezing point: 307 °F (anhydrous) (NTP, 1992)
f) Initial boiling point and boiling range: Decomposes (NTP, 1992)
g) Flash point: 100 °C
h) Evaporation rate: No data available
i) Flammability (solid, gas): No data available
j) Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: No data available
k) Vapor pressure: No data available
l) Vapor density: No data available
m) Relative density: 1.54 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
n) Water solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992)
o) Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water: Log P (n-octanol/water): -1.7
p) Auto-ignition temperature: 1850 °F (USCG, 1999)
q) Decomposition temperature: No data available
r) Viscosity: 2.549 cP 30% aqueous solution at 20 °C
s) Explosive properties: No data available
t) Oxidizing properties: No data available

9.2 Other information
Topological Polar Surface Area (TPSA): 132 Ų
Complexity: 227

11.1 Information on toxicological effects
Acute toxicity:
No acute toxicity data available.
Skin corrosion/irritation:
Causes skin irritation (H315).
Serious eye damage/eye irritation:
Causes serious eye irritation (H319).
Respiratory or skin sensitization:
No data available.
Germ cell mutagenicity:
No data available.
Carcinogenicity:
No data available.
Reproductive toxicity:
No data available.
Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure):
No data available.
Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure):
No data available.
Aspiration hazard:
No data available.

11.2 Additional information
Exposure routes:
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.
Signs and symptoms of exposure:
Cough. Shortness of breath. Sore throat.
Redness.
Redness. Pain.
Abdominal pain. Sore throat.
Data source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) via PubChem.

12.1 Toxicity
LC50; Species: Carcinus maenas (Green or European shore crab); Conditions: renewal; Concentration: 160 mg/L for 48 hr /formulated product/
/OTHER TERRESTRIAL SPECIES/ The entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, produced citric acids in liquid cultures containing grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes) cuticle as the sole nutrient source. Citric acids solubilized cuticular proteins as well as commercial preparations of elastin and collagen. Melanoplus sanguinipes treated with Beauveria bassiana showed a LT50 of 7.33 days, while Melanoplus sanguinipes treated with citric acid showed a LT50 of 7.25 and 13.28 days, respectively. Melanoplus sanguinipes treated with citric acid followed by a Beauveria bassiana conidia treatment showed a LT50 of 3.88 days. Analysis of the bioassay data revealed that the relationship between citric acid together with Beauveria bassiana conidia in grasshopper mortality was markedly synergistic. It is suggested that acid metabolites produced by Beauveria bassiana may play a role in cuticle solubilization and subsequent hyphal penetration.
Citric acid's production and use as an acidulant in beverages, confectionery, effervescent salts, in pharmaceutical syrups, elixirs; in processing cheese, in chemical manufacture, a foam inhibitor, a sequestering agent, a mordant, in electroplating, in special inks, an anticoagulant, and in water-conditioning agent and detergent builder may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. Citr

12.2 Persistence and degradability
No data available.

12.3 Bioaccumulative potential
Log P (n-octanol/water): -1.7
Low potential for bioaccumulation (Log P < 3).

12.4 Mobility in soil
No data available.

12.5 Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
PBT/vPvB assessment not available.

12.6 Other adverse effects
No other adverse ecological effects identified.

13.1 Waste treatment methods
Waste Treatment Methods: Waste material must be disposed of in accordance with national and local regulations. Leave chemicals in original containers and do not mix with other waste. Handle uncleaned containers in the same manner as the product itself.

14.1 UN number
Not regulated as dangerous goods (research quantities typically exempt).

14.2 UN proper shipping name
Not subject to transport regulations (small quantities for research use).

14.3 Transport hazard class(es)
Not classified as dangerous goods for transport (research quantities).

14.4 Packing group
Not applicable (not regulated as dangerous goods in typical research quantities).

14.5 Environmental hazards
Marine pollutant: No (not classified as environmentally hazardous per GHS).

14.6 Special precautions for user
Transport in original packaging. Ensure containers are tightly sealed.
For bulk or commercial quantities, consult applicable transport regulations (DOT, IATA, IMDG).

14.7 Transport in bulk according to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code
Not applicable.

15.1 Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture
US EPA / TSCA: Subject to EPA TSCA regulations
EU ECHA / REACH: Registered (REACH Active)

SARA 302 Components:
No chemicals in this material are subject to the reporting requirements of SARA Title III, Section 302.
SARA 313 Components:
This material does not contain any chemical components with known CAS numbers that exceed the threshold (De Minimis) reporting levels established by SARA Title III, Section 313.
SARA 311/312 Hazards:
Acute (short-term) health hazard

Massachusetts Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Massachusetts Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
Pennsylvania Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
New Jersey Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the New Jersey Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.

California Prop. 65 Components:
This product does not contain any chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or any other reproductive harm.

Other regulatory listings:
- The Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals: Chemical: 1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-
- EFSA Legal Basis: Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008
- FIFRA Requirements: Unless specifically excluded, residues resulting from the use of the following substance as either an inert or an active ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation, including antimicrobial pesticide chemicals, is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance under FFDCA section 408, if such use i
- FDA Requirements: Substance added directly to human food affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
Citric acid used as a general purpose food additive in animal drugs, feeds, and related products is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice.
Citric acid us

15.2 Chemical safety assessment
A chemical safety assessment has not been carried out for this substance.
For research-use-only compounds, no CSA is required under REACH Annex I.

Revision Date: 2026/09/09
Further Information: The information provided is believed to be correct but is not exhaustive and should be used only as a guideline based on current knowledge. It does not represent a guarantee of the properties of the product. Selleck Chemicals Corporation and its Affiliates shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from handling or contact with the product.