Product Name: Dodecyl Benzenesulfonic Acid
Synonyms: Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid, LABSA
CAS Number: 27176-87-0
Recommended Use: Detergents, surfactants, emulsifying agents, cleaning products
Manufacturer Contact: Chemical supplier/distributor’s address, emergency contact, phone numbers, technical data support
Hazard Category: Corrosive to skin, causes serious eye damage, harmful if swallowed
GHS Label: Danger signal word with corrosive pictogram
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause respiratory irritation, harmful if inhaled or absorbed through skin
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective clothing, avoid breathing vapors, use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated place, wash skin thoroughly after handling, do not eat/drink/smoke when using, store securely locked away
Symptoms of Overexposure: Redness, pain, burns on skin and eyes, irritation of mucous membranes, coughing, sore throat, difficulty breathing if inhaled, abdominal pain and vomiting if swallowed
Chemical Name: Dodecyl Benzenesulfonic Acid
Common Name: LABSA
Concentration: 85% to 96% by weight
Other Components: Sulfuric acid (trace), unreacted starting materials, water
Impurities: Organic impurities, possible residual unreacted alkylbenzenes
Eye Contact: Rinse gently with water for at least 15 minutes, lift upper and lower eyelids, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, seek immediate medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with plenty of running water for at least 15 minutes, wash with soap and water, get immediate medical help if irritation persists
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, seek medical attention for persistent symptoms, do not allow affected person to leave unattended
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, seek medical help immediately
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jet due to splatter risk
Specific Hazards: May release toxic vapors such as sulfur oxides upon heating or combustion
Protective Equipment and Precautions: Firefighters wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus, prevent chemical runoff into drains and waterways, approach site upwind
Special Procedures: Cool containers with flooding amounts of water, isolate area and do not allow unauthorized personnel to enter
Personal Precautions: Avoid breathing vapors, ensure proper ventilation, evacuate non-essential personnel, keep unprotected persons away
Protective Equipment: Use chemical-resistant gloves, protective goggles, apron, face shield, suitable respiratory protection
Cleanup Procedures: Contain spill with inert absorbent material like sand or vermiculite, avoid raising dust, sweep/shovel in labeled containers for disposal, ventilate area thoroughly after cleanup
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, drains, surface water, or soil, notify authorities if environmental contamination occurs
Handling: Work in well-ventilated areas, avoid breathing vapors, do not get on skin or eyes, use proper PPE, wash hands thoroughly before eating or drinking, do not mix with incompatible substances
Storage: Store in tightly closed corrosion-resistant containers, keep in cool, dry, well-ventilated place, segregate from oxidizers, bases, and strong acids, keep away from sunlight and direct heat sources, use secondary containment to minimize leaks or spills
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, safety showers and eye wash stations near handling area, maintain proper airflow to control vapor
Exposure Limits: No separate occupational exposure limit for LABSA, though general chemical handling standards apply
Personal Protection: Chemical resistant gloves (nitrile), safety goggles with side-shields, face protection, acid-resistant clothing, rubber boots
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirator if contaminated air is unavoidable, especially during spill cleanup
Hygiene Measures: No eating, drinking, or smoking in work area, wash exposed skin thoroughly before breaks or leaving the facility
Appearance: Brown to yellow viscous liquid
Odor: Sulfonic, pungent smell
pH: Strongly acidic (typically below 2 in 1% solution)
Boiling Point: Decomposes
Melting Point: Not clearly defined, softens below 0°C
Solubility: Miscible in water, forms acidic solution, soluble in ethanol and other polar solvents
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Density: About 1.05–1.10 g/cm³
Viscosity: High, thick liquid
Flash Point: Over 100°C (closed cup)
Chemical Stability: Stable at ordinary temperatures and storage conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to heat, direct sunlight, moisture, incompatible materials
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong bases, reactive metals like aluminum
Hazardous Decomposition: Sulfur oxides (SOx), carbon oxides under fire
Polymerization: Not known to occur
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) approximately 650–1000 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe burns, risk of dermatitis with prolonged exposure
Serious Eye Damage: Highly corrosive, may result in permanent eye damage or blindness
Inhalation Effects: Irritation of respiratory system, coughing, sore throat, difficulty breathing after vapor exposure
Chronic Effects: Possible skin sensitization or allergic reaction due to repeated contact, no clear evidence for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or reproductive toxicity
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic ecosystems
Bioaccumulation: Not expected in significant amounts, rapid breakdown of surfactant structure
Mobility in Soil: High mobility, soluble in water, can contaminate ground and surface water
Degradability: Biodegradable under aerobic conditions, proper wastewater treatment reduces environmental risk
Other Adverse Effects: Toxic to fish and invertebrates at high concentrations, accidental releases into waterways may lead to foaming and disruption of aquatic life
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of according to local, regional, national, international regulations for hazardous waste
Contaminated Packaging: Clean containers thoroughly or send for specialized hazardous waste disposal
Recommended Treatment: Neutralize residues with alkaline solutions under controlled conditions by trained personnel, never discharge into surface water, sewage, or public drains
Precautions: Wear proper PPE during disposal, consult with licensed chemical waste disposal contractor
UN Number: UN 2586
Proper Shipping Name: Alkylsulphonic acids, liquid
Hazard Class: 8 (corrosive substance)
Packing Group: II
Labels: Corrosive
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant but prevent bulk releases
Special Precautions for Transport: Secure containers upright, handle with care, avoid dropping or damaging containers in transit, emergency response guide for corrosive liquids
Inventory Status: Listed on TSCA, EINECS, and other international chemical inventories
OSHA Regulation: Subject to Hazard Communication Standards for corrosive chemicals
EPA SARA Title III: May require reporting under Section 313 as hazardous chemical
REACH: Registration and safe use guidance required in European Union
International Standards: Subject to IATA, IMDG, and ADR transport rules for dangerous goods, workplace exposure guidelines enforced globally
Other Notes: Local and national authorities regulate storage, handling, emissions, and disposal of LABSA—safe management protects both workers and the environment
