Sulphuric Acid Vapors — properties & hazards overview
Boiling point
≈ 337 °C (decomposes)
Vapour pressure (20 °C)
< 0.001 hPa
Water solubility
Fully miscible
Appearance
Colourless liquid / dense mist
Flammability
Non-flammable
Corrosivity
Severe
Toxicity
Respiratory damage
Environmental
Acidification risk
| Property | Value / Note |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Strong mineral acid; forms white fuming mist in humid air due to water absorption and aerosol generation. |
| Density (20 °C) | ≈ 1.84 g/cm³ (98 %) |
| Odour | Odourless, but extremely irritant in aerosol form. |
| Typical sources | Acid plants, battery charging, pickling lines, fertilizer units, and stack plume condensation. |
| Best analytical detection | Gravimetric / ion-chromatographic analysis of collected mist — air drawn through an isopropanol or water impinger; the captured H₂SO₄ is quantified as sulfate. Direct FTIR/NDIR detection is unsuitable because H₂SO₄ exists mainly as aerosol droplets. |
*Values indicative; always verify via current SDS and stack-testing standards (e.g., EPA Method 8, EN 14577).