Glycolic Acid Safety & Handling: What You Need to Know

A common alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) in chemical peels, industrial cleaning solutions, skincare products, and lab research is glycolic acid. It has significant safety concerns even though it's a useful ingredient in all of these industries. The answer to the question "Is glycolic acid safe?" depends solely on how it is handled, stored, and concentrated. It is frequently found in cosmetics at low concentrations, but without the right safety measures, it can be toxic, corrosive, and dangerous, especially at higher concentrations. Working with glycolic acid safely and responsibly requires an understanding of its hazards.

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In this article, we’ll explain:

1. What are the primary risks associated with glycolic acid?
2. The effects of exposure
3. How to properly store glycolic acid

What Are The Primary Risks Associated with Glycolic Acid?

Glycolic acid is categorized as a corrosive and an irritant. It has GHS pictograms for general irritation (exclamation mark) and damage to the skin and eyes (corrosion). It scores a 3 for health (serious hazard), a 1 for flammability, and a 0 for reactivity on the NFPA hazard rating system.

Skin and eye burns
Respiratory irritation
Harm if swallowed

Despite its effectiveness, glycolic acid needs to be handled carefully, as these classifications attest. The answer to the question, "Is glycolic acid harmful?" is yes, particularly when used improperly or in concentrated forms.

Depending on how it interacts with the body, glycolic acid exposure can have serious negative health effects. If the area is not adequately ventilated, breathing difficulties, coughing, or throat irritation may result from inhaling vapors or mist. While eye contact can result in severe pain, chemical burns, or even permanent vision damage, direct skin contact can cause severe irritation or burns. Glycolic acid can cause burns, systemic toxicity, and gastrointestinal distress if consumed.

Effects Of Exposure

Common exposure effects include:

Inhalation: Coughing, respiratory irritation
Skin: Chemical burns, prolonged irritation
Eyes: Potential vision damage or loss
Ingestion: Nausea, vomiting, internal burns

The significance of safety protocols and first aid preparedness is emphasized by the knowledge of how hazardous glycolic acid can be when handled improperly.

Quick and effective first aid is crucial in the event of exposure. If symptoms persist, get medical help and move anyone who has inhaled fumes of glycolic acid outside. If there is skin contact, remove contaminated clothing and wash well with soap and water. Seek emergency assistance after immediately rinsing the eyes with water for at least fifteen minutes while keeping the eyelids open if the acid gets inside. If ingestion occurs, rinse the mouth, get help right away, and avoid making yourself throw up.

Incident risk is significantly decreased by handling and storing glycolic acid properly. When working with concentrated glycolic acid, always wear gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothes. Steer clear of vapors and keep them away from your skin and eyes.

How To Properly Store Glycolic Acid

Keep the chemical in containers made of corrosion-resistant materials (such as glass or HDPE) in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. To prevent hazardous reactions, keep it away from strong bases, oxidizers, and reducing agents.

Storage reminders:

Tightly sealed containers
Kept away from incompatible chemicals
Stored in cool, ventilated areas

Another crucial safety precaution is spill response. Wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure that only trained personnel stay in the area in the event of a spill. To contain the spill, use absorbent materials such as paper towels, sand, or vermiculite. Sodium bicarbonate is a safe way to neutralize acid spills. Use water and a mild detergent to clean the area after absorption. It is important to gather and store all contaminated materials, including absorbents and personal protective equipment, in a sealed hazardous waste container. Glycolic acid should never be disposed of in regular garbage or down the drain unless neutralized and permitted by local regulations.

Although glycolic acid is not highly flammable, it can decompose under extreme heat, releasing harmful gases like carbon monoxide. Glycolic acid fires should be put out using CO₂, foam, dry chemicals, or water spray. To prevent exposure to toxic fumes, firefighters should wear full protective gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Working with glycolic acid requires adherence to regulatory standards. According to OSHA, it is a hazardous material that needs to be properly labeled, stored, and handled with personal protective equipment. Its disposal and environmental impact are regulated by the EPA. Glycolic acid transportation may necessitate DOT-compliant packaging and hazard labels. It must adhere to FDA, USP, or ACS purity standards for use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

Key regulatory bodies:

OSHA – Safety labeling and PPE standards
EPA – Environmental protection and disposal
DOT – Hazardous materials transport
FDA/USP – Product-grade compliance

Lastly, before using glycolic acid in any situation, always consult the official documentation. This comprises your supplier's Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), and pertinent technical reports. These resources offer crucial details on chemical interactions, concentration levels, safe handling, and other topics.

Glycolic acid must be handled with care whether it is being used in a laboratory, an industrial setting, or in the creation of a skincare product. The answer to the question "Is glycolic acid dangerous?" depends on its application. It is safe and effective when used properly. It can be dangerous if handled improperly. High-purity glycolic acid is available from Lab Alley, along with the technical assistance and documentation required for its safe and secure use in any application.