Lead-Acid Battery, Wet

Sulfuric Acid: Remove to fresh air immediately. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Lead: Remove from exposure, gargle, wash nose and lips.

Sulfuric Acid: Flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes; remove contaminated clothing completely, including shoes. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse. Discard contaminated shoes. Lead: Wash immediately with soap and water.

Flush immediately with large amounts of water for a least 15 minutes while lifting lids.

Sulfuric Acid: Give large quantities of water; do not induce vomiting or aspiration into the lungs may occur and can cause permanent injury or death. Lead: Consult physician immediately.

CO2; foam; dry chemical. Use appropriate media for surrounding fire.

Do not use carbon dioxide directly on cells.

Highly flammable hydrogen gas is generated during charging and operation of batteries. Water applied to electrolyte generates heat and causes it to spatter. Strings of series connected batteries may still pose risk of electric shock even when charging equipment is shut down.

If batteries are on charge, shut off power. Keep sparks or other sources of ignition away from batteries. Do not allow metallic materials to simultaneously contact negative and positive terminals of cells and batteries. Follow manufacturer's instructions for installation and service.

Stop flow of material, contain/absorb small spills with dry sand, earth, and vermiculite. Do not use combustible materials. If possible, carefully neutralize spilled electrolyte with soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, lime, etc.

contain/absorb small spills with dry sand, earth, and vermiculite

Unless involved in recycling operations, do not breach the casing or empty the contents of the battery. Handle carefully and avoid tipping, which may allow electrolyte leakage. Keep containers tightly closed when not in use. If battery case is broken, avoid contact with internal components. Keep vent caps on and cover terminals to prevent short circuits. Place cardboard between layers of stacked automotive batteries to avoid damage and short circuits. Use banding or stretch wrap to secure items for shipping.

Store batteries in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas with impervious surfaces and adequate containment in the event of spills. Store under roof for protection against adverse weather conditions.

Prohibit smoking. Wear face and eye protection when near batteries being charged.

Keep away from fire, sparks and heat. Prohibit smoking and avoid creation of flames and sparks nearby.

Stable under normal conditions at ambient temperature

Will not occur

Prolonged overcharge; sources of ignition

Sulfuric Acid: Contact with combustibles and organic materials may cause fire and explosion. Also reacts violently with strong reducing agents, metals, sulfur trioxide gas, strong oxidizers and water. Contact with metals may produce toxic sulfur dioxide fumes and may release flammable hydrogen gas. Lead Compounds: Avoid contact with strong acids, bases, halides, halogenates, potassium nitrate, permanganate, peroxides, nascent hydrogen and reducing agents. Arsenic compounds: strong oxidizers; bromine azide. NOTE: hydrogen gas can react with inorganic arsenic to form the highly toxic gas-arsine.

Sulfuric Acid: Sulfur trioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfuric acid mist, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Lead Compounds: High temperatures likely to produce toxic metal fume, vapor, or dust; contact with strong acid or base or presence of nascent hydrogen may generate highly toxic arsine gas.