Corrosive substance

Corrosive substances are substances that show corrosion, ie destroy living tissue or attack surfaces. The corrosive substances include stronger acids and bases and compounds which are strongly alkaline or acidic water. Also oxidizing and dehydrating substances can be corrosive. Corrosive substances can organic or inorganic, solid, liquid or gaseous.

Examples: hydrochloric acid (hydrochloric acid ), sulfuric acid, nitric acid, sodium hydroxide, concentrated soap lye, drain cleaners.

Corrosive gases (eg, chlorine, fluorine) cause even the smallest quantities and at low concentration damage to the respiratory tract and lungs.

Fluids act on the skin because of its wetting effect immediately and are therefore most dangerous for them. Solid and gaseous corrosive substances have a certain amount of time lingering on the tissue of the skin to react with externally adhering moisture or the inner tissue fluid can. See burn.

Classification according to Dangerous Substances Directive

According to the Dangerous Substances Directive corrosive substances and preparation are allocated based on the following criteria

  • Danger C - Corrosive R35 - Causes severe burns: When applied to healthy skin, the skin tissue is destroyed after a Einwirkszeit not exceeding three minutes in its entire thickness.
  • R34 - Causes burns: When applied to healthy skin, the skin tissue is destroyed after a Einwirkszeit of 4 hours in its entire thickness.
  • R34 - Causes burns: Organic peroxides

Metallkorrosive substances are not covered by the Dangerous Substances Directive.

Classification according to GHS / CLP

After the CLP Regulation or GHS Directive, the following categories are to be applied

  • Corrosive to the skin Corrosive to the skin 1A: Corrosive to the skin within 3 minutes
  • Corrosive 1B: Skin corrosion after 3 minutes to 1 hour
  • Corrosive to the skin 1C: Corrosive to the skin after 1 hour to 4 hours

In contrast to directive substances are marked with irreversible eye damage with this pictogram

  • Serious eye damage / eye irritation Category 1: irreversible damage to the eye

Metallkorrosive properties are also recognized under CLP / GHS. However, this is a physical / chemical hazard and no toxic danger.

  • Corrosive to metals Cat 1: Corrosive to metals

Classification according to Dangerous Goods Regulations

The classification is according to the Dangerous Preparations Directive is as follows

  • Hazard Class 8 Packing group I: Corrosive to the skin within 3 minutes
  • Packing group II: Skin corrosion after 3 minutes to 1 hour
  • Packing group III: Skin corrosion after 1 hour to 4 hours
  • Packing group III: substances Metallkorrosive

Goods that have the characteristics of irreversible effects on the eyes, does not meet the criteria for classification in the hazard class 8

Base (chemistry)
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