Hydrochloric acid

RTECS #

MW4025000

CAS #

7647-01-0; 51005-19-7; 61674-62-2; 113962-65-5
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods

Updated

March 2019

Molecular Weight

36.46

Molecular Formula

ClH

Synonyms

Acide chlorhydrique (French)
Acido cloridrico (Italian)
Anhydrous hydrochloric acid
Chloorwaterstof (Dutch)
Chlorohydric acid
Chlorowodor (Polish)
Chlorwasserstoff (German)
Hydrochloride
Hydrogen chloride
Hydrogen chloride (ACGIH:OSHA)
Muriatic acid
Spirits of salt

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
eye /rabbit	5 mg/30S rinse	mild	TXCYAC 23,281,1982
skin /human	4%/24H	mild	BJDEAZ 68,192,1988

Mutation Data and Reference

System Test	Route/Organism/Tissue	Dose	Reference
Cytogenetic Analysis	parenteral/grasshopper	20 mg	NULSAK 9,119,1966
Cytogenetic Analysis	lung/hamster	30 mmol/L	CYTBAI 55,167,1988
Cytogenetic Analysis	ovary/hamster	8 mmol/L	MUREAV 225,55,1989
DNA repair	/Escherichia coli	25 µg/well	ENMUDM 3,429,1981
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction	inhalation/Drosophila melanogaster	100 ppm/24H	THAGA6 39,330,1969
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction	oral/Drosophila melanogaster	100 ppm	THAGA6 39,330,1969

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
inhalation/rat	450 mg/m³/1H (1D prior to copulation)	Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Homeostasis	AKGIAO 53(6),69,1977

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
In Vitro/Human, liver tumor	Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 0.04 mmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell protein synthesis	TIVIEQ 3,189,1989
In Vitro/Human, skin	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 20 mmol/L	Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Changes in: Ca	TIVIEQ 27,402,2013
In Vitro/Human, skin	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 14.4 pph/1H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.	TIVIEQ 28,616,2014
In Vitro/Mouse, fibroblast	Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): >10000 µmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (lysosomal damage): neutral red assay etc.	TIVIEQ 17,717,2003
inhalation/guinea pig	Lowest published lethal concentration: 4413 ppm/30M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes Liver: Other changes	JIHTAB 24,222,1942
inhalation/guinea pig	Lowest published lethal concentration: 5066 mg/m³/90M		VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/guinea pig	Lowest published lethal concentration: 6400 mg/m³/30M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/human	Lowest published lethal concentration: 1300 ppm/30M		29ZWAE -,207,1968
inhalation/human	Lowest published lethal concentration: 3000 ppm/5M		TABIA2 3,231,1933
inhalation/human	Lowest published lethal concentration: 75 mg/m³		VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/human	lowest published toxic concentration: 50 mg/m³	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified)	lowest published toxic concentration: 450 mg/m³/6H	Eye: Corneal damage Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified)	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 0.1 gm/m³		VCVN1* -,440,1988
inhalation/mouse	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 1108 ppm/1H	Eye: Other eye effects Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulation Skin: After systemic exposure: Dermatitis, other	JCTODH 3,61,1976
inhalation/mouse	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 20487 mg/m³/5M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/mouse	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 8300 mg/m³/30M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/mouse	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 3940 mg/m³/30M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/mouse	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 2644 ppm/30M		ENTOX* -,538,2005
inhalation/rabbit	Lowest published lethal concentration: 4413 ppm/30M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes Liver: Fatty liver degeneration	JIHTAB 24,222,1942
inhalation/rabbit	Lowest published lethal concentration: 5066 mg/m³/90M		VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/rabbit	Lowest published lethal concentration: 6400 mg/m³/30M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 60938 mg/m³/5M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 45000 mg/m³/5M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 8300 mg/m³/30M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 3124 ppm/1H	Olfaction: Other olfaction effects Eye: Iritis	AMRL** TR-74-78,1974
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 7004 mg/m³/30M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 3700 ppm/30M		ENTOX* -,639,2005
intraperitoneal/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 40142 µg/kg		COREAF 256,1043,1963
intratracheal/Dog	lowest published lethal dose: 7.3 mg/kg	Cardiac: Pulse rate increased without fall in BP Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVN5* -,383,1989
intratracheal/hamster	lowest published lethal dose: 146 mg/kg	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Structural or functional change in trachea or bronchi Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation	EJPHAZ 488,173,2004
intrauterine/man	lowest published lethal dose: 4.28 mL/kg	Cardiac: Cardiomyopathy including infarction Cardiac: Arrythmias (indlucing changes in conduction) Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Changes in: Metabolic acidosis	AJEMEN 26,634e5,2008
oral/man	lowest published lethal dose: 4.29 mL/kg	Cardiac: Cardiomyopathy including infarction Cardiac: EKG changes not diagnostic of above Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Changes in: Metabolic acidosis	AJEMEN 26,634.e5,2008
oral/man	lowest published lethal dose: 2857 µg/kg	Vascular: BP lowering not characterized in autonomic section Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression Gastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of esophagus	MJAUAJ 158,28,1993
oral/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 0.243 gm/kg	Gastrointestinal: Ulceration or bleeding from stomach	BMCPH* 2,21,2002
oral/rabbit	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 900 mg/kg		BIZEA2 134,437,1923
oral/woman	lowest published lethal dose: 420 µL/kg	Behavioral: Excitement Cardiac: Pulse rate decreased with fall in BP Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Hematuria	JJTOEX 9,351,1996
subcutaneous/human	lowest published toxic dose: 0.043 mL/kg	Vascular: Acute arterial occulsion Musculoskeletal: Other changes	AJEMEN 23,394,2005
unreported route/man	lowest published lethal dose: 81 mg/kg		85DCAI 2,73,1970

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
inhalation/cat	lowest published toxic concentration: 150 mg/m³/6H/50D- intermittent	Behavioral: Irritability Blood: Other changes	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/rabbit	lowest published toxic concentration: 149 mg/m³/6H/5D- intermittent	Olfaction: Other olfaction effects Eye: Conjunctiva irritation Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/rabbit	lowest published toxic concentration: 150 mg/m³/6H/50D- intermittent	Behavioral: Irritability Blood: Other changes	VCVN5* -,383,1989
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 685 µg/m³/24H/84D- continuous	Behavioral: Muscle contraction or spasticity Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes in urine composition Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: True cholinesterase	GISAAA 38(3),6,1973

Reviews

Organization	Standard	Reference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-ceiling concentration 2 ppm	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-Not classifiable as a human carcinogen	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Human Inadequate Evidence	IMEMDT 54,189,1992
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Animal Inadequate Evidence	IMEMDT 54,189,1992
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Group 3	IMEMDT 54,189,1992
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		ARTODN 39,299,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		AOHYA3 17,159,1974
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		EVHPAZ 11,163,1975
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		CHHSA* 9,6,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		DIMON* 46,551,2000
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		ENTOX* -,639,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		ENTOX* -,538,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		HUTOX* -,661,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		HUTOX* -,671,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FCTOD7 47,1287,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		PRESR* 7,123,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		RTOPDW 54,247,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		VETODR ,215,2018

Standards and Regulations

Organization	Standard	Reference
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1988 PESTICIDE SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION OR RE-REGISTRATION		FEREAC 54,7740,1989
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1998 STATUS OF PESTICIDES	RED Completed	RBREV* -,324,1998
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD	air-ceiling concentration 5 ppm (7 mg/m³)	DTLVS* 3,129,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA	ceiling concentration 5 ppm (7.5 mg/m³), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIA	MAK-TMW 5 ppm (8 mg/m³);KZW 10 ppm (15 mg/m³), 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM	time-weighted average 5 ppm (8 mg/m³), short term exposure limit 10 ppm (15 mg/m³), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK	ceiling concentration 5 ppm (7 mg/m³), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-EC	time-weighted average 8 mg/m³ (5 ppm);short term exposure limit 15 mg/m³ (10 ppm), JUN2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLAND	short term exposure limit 5 ppm (7.6 mg/m³), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCE	VLE 5 ppm (7.6 mg/m³), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANY	MAK 2 ppm (3 mg/m³), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARY	time-weighted average 8 mg/m³, short term exposure limit 16 mg/m³, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND	short term exposure limit 5 ppm (8 mg/m³), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN	ceiling concentration 5 ppm (7.5 mg/m³), MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA	ceiling concentration 5 ppm (7.5 mg/m³), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO	peak 5 ppm (7 mg/m³), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND	ceiling concentration 5 ppm (7.5 mg/m³), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAY	time-weighted average 5 ppm (7 mg/m³), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU	short term exposure limit 2 ppm (3 mg/m³), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLAND	MAC(time-weighted average) 5 mg/m³, CEILING 7 mg/m³, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIA	short term exposure limit 5 mg/m³, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN	ceiling concentration 5 ppm (8 mg/m³), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLAND	MAK-week 2 ppm (3 mg/m³), KZG-week 4 ppm (6 mg/m³), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILAND	time-weighted average 5 ppm (7 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDS	MAC-TGG 8 mg/m³, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINES	time-weighted average 5 ppm (7 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEY	time-weighted average 5 ppm (7 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM	time-weighted average 1 ppm (2 mg/m³);short term exposure limit 5 ppm (8 mg/m³) (gas, mist), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)	ceiling concentration 5 ppm (7 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)	ceiling concentration 5 ppm (7 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)	ceiling concentration 5 ppm (7 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)	ceiling concentration 5 ppm (7 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

Organization	Standard	Reference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO HYDROGEN CHLORIDE-air	ceiling concentration 5 ppm	NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983	Hazard Code 38580; Number of Industries 321; Total Number of Facilities 60309; Number of Occupations 183; Total Number of Employees Exposed 1238572; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 388130
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974	Hazard Code 38580; Number of Industries 360; Total Number of Facilities 87434; Number of Occupations 156; Total Number of Employees Exposed 824985

Status in Federal Agencies

Organization	Reference
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: Cell transform.-SA7/SHE
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA Section 8(e) Risk Notification, 8EHQ-0892-9246
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Acids, inorganic, 7903
On EPA IRIS database

Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health