Sulfuric acid is not very volatile, and therefore workplace exposures are primarily to mists or aerosols. Sulfuric acid is corrosive and can cause severe irritation or corrosive damage if inhaled. The degree and severity of respiratory effects are influenced by factors such as the physical state and particle size of the aerosol, deposition site, concentration and humidity. Sulfuric acid can cause severe lung damage with a life-threatening accumulation of fluid (pulmonary edema). The symptoms of pulmonary edema include coughing and shortness of breath and can be delayed until hours or days after the exposure. These symptoms are aggravated by physical exertion. Long term lung damage may result from a severe short term exposure.

Human volunteers exposed for 5-15 minutes noticed no odour, or irritation below 1 mg/m³. Everyone noticed the exposure at 3 mg/m³ and at 5 mg/m³ some people found it objectionable. A deep breath usually produced coughing and there were respiratory changes. Tolerance to sulfuric acid can occur. In another study, volunteers with high exposures (39 mg/m³ dry mist and 21 mg/m³ wet mist) for 1/2-1 hour experienced severe symptoms of irritation of the upper airways and signs of bronchial obstruction. These symptoms persisted for several days in two volunteers. A worker, overcome by sulfuric acid fumes while working in a closed space, experienced injury to the upper airways, and fluid accumulation and bleeding in the lungs. At a 6-week follow-up, most lung function tests were normal. Asthma can be aggravated by exposure to sulfuric acid.

Sulfuric acid is corrosive and can cause severe irritation and burns which may result in permanent scarring. Extensive acid burns can result in death. The severity of injury depends on the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution and the duration of exposure. High mist or aerosol concentrations may cause redness, irritation and burns to the skin if contact is prolonged.

Sulfuric acid is corrosive and can cause severe irritation (redness, swelling and pain) and permanent damage, including blindness. The severity of injury depends on the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution and the duration of exposure. Sulfuric acid mists and aerosols are expected to be irritating.

Sulfuric acid is corrosive and will cause burns to the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach if ingested. Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, intense thirst, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, collapse and death. Small amounts of acid which may enter the lungs during ingestion or vomiting (aspiration) can cause serious lung injury and death.

SKIN: Repeated exposure to low concentrations of mists or aerosols can cause dermatitis (red, itchy, dry skin).

TEETH: Exposures to high concentrations (reportedly up to 16 mg/m³) cause dental erosion. Etching of teeth may occur after a few weeks exposure, progressing to erosion after a few months exposure. Dental etching and erosion occurred about 4 times as frequently in a high exposure group (over 0.3 mg/m³) compared to a low exposure group (below 0.07 mg/m³).

RESPIRATORY EFFECTS: Although sulfuric acid is widely used, there are no specific reports of respiratory effects from long-term exposure. Long-term exposure to sulfuric acid mists or aerosols could cause symptoms of respiratory irritation such as bronchial hyperreactivity.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded there is sufficient evidence that occupational exposure to strong inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid, is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). IARC's classification is for inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid only and does not apply to sulfuric acid or sulfuric acid solutions.

Many studies have reported more cancer of the larynx and, to a lesser extent than expected, the lungs, in a wide variety of processes involving the use of strong inorganic acids including sulfuric acid. Throughout these studies, sulfuric acid mists were the most common exposure, and in two studies, the number of cancers increased as exposure increased. Several of the studies had design weaknesses, such as exposure to other potentially carcinogenic chemicals at the same time. Nevertheless, some studies were well conducted and the overall trends indicate that occupational exposure to strong inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid is carcinogenic to humans. Examples of the processes studies include pickling, electroplating and other acid treatment of metals, the manufacture of lead-acid batteries and phosphate fertilizer production.

No human or animal information is available.

No human information is available. One animal study indicated that sulfuric acid is not teratogenic, even at maternally toxic doses.

No information is available.

Sulfuric acid mist is absorbed through mucous membranes, ultimately into the bloodstream. The sulfate anion becomes part of the pool of sulfate anions in the body and is excreted in the urine in combination with other chemicals in the body. It is unlikely to accumulate in the body.