Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

UNIVAR CITRIC ACID

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Component acidulant in beverages, confectionery, effervescent salts, in pharmaceutical
syrups, medicines, in effervescent powders and tablets. Used to adjust the pH of foods and
as synergistic antioxidant. Used in beverages, jellies, jams, preserves and candy to
provide tartness. Manufacture of citrate salts. In processing of cheese. In
electroplating. As sequestering agent to remove trace metals. As mordant to brighten
colours. In analytical chemistry as reagent for albumin, mucin, glucose. Food additive
330. Citric acid is a natural ingredient of many fruits. Citric acid occurs naturally in
the body as a metabolite in the tricarboxylic acid cycle.

SYNONYMS

C6-H8-O7, HOC-(CH2-CO2-H)2-CO2-H, HOC(CH2COOH)2COOH, "2-hydroxy-1, 2, 3-
propanetricarboxylic acid", "2-hydroxy-1, 2, 3-propanetricarboxylic acid", "beta-
hydroxytricarballylic acid", "beta-hydroxycarboxylic acid", Aciletten, "Food additive
food acid 330", Citretten, Citro, "ROA 10", Deltrex, "Acide citrique", "Roche Ro-
017548001", APS, AR00000161, USP00005262, AR00000160, UL00000162, BP00005263

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to eyes.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  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

  Solutions of low-molecular weight organic acids cause pain and injuryto the eyes.  There is evidence that material may produce eye irritation in some persons and produce eye damage 24 hours or more after instillation. Severe inflammation may be expected with pain. There may be damage to the cornea. Unless treatment is prompt and adequate there may be permanent loss of vision. Conjunctivitis can occur following repeated exposure.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.  There is some evidence to suggest that the material may cause mild but significant inflammation of the skin either following direct contact or after a delay of some time. Repeated exposure can cause contact dermatitis which is characterized by redness, swelling and blistering.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce either adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract following inhalation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, adverse effects have been produced following exposure of animals by at least one other route and good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Long-term exposure to the product is not thought to produce chronic effects adverse to the health (as classified using animal models); nevertheless exposure by all routes should be minimized as a matter of course.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.