What Is Sulfuric Acid?
ATSDR describes sulfuric acid as a clear, colorless, oily liquid that is very corrosive. It is used to make fertilizers, explosives, other acids and glue, to purify petroleum, to pickle metal, and in lead-acid batteries of the type commonly used in motor vehicles, and ATSDR says concentrated sulfuric acid is commonly used in the United States as a drain and toilet bowl cleaner.
ATSDR says touching sulfuric acid will burn the skin, and getting it in the eyes will burn them and cause them to water. It says sulfuric acid causes direct local effects on the skin, eyes and respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts with direct exposure to sufficient concentrations, and that breathing sulfuric acid mists can result in tooth erosion and respiratory tract irritation.
On cancer, ATSDR reports that IARC, based on very limited human data, believes the evidence is sufficient to state that occupational exposure to strong inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid is carcinogenic to humans, and that IARC has not classified pure sulfuric acid.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceATSDR describes sulfuric acid as a clear, colorless, oily liquid that is very corrosive. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says sulfuric acid is used to make fertilizers, explosives, other acids and glue, to purify petroleum, to pickle metal, and in lead-acid batteries like those in motor vehicles. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says concentrated sulfuric acid is commonly used in the United States as a drain and toilet bowl cleaner. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says sulfuric acid causes direct local effects on the skin, eyes and respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts at sufficient concentrations, and breathing its mists can cause tooth erosion and respiratory tract irritation. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says touching sulfuric acid will burn the skin, and getting it in the eyes will burn them and cause them to water. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR reports that IARC considers occupational exposure to strong inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid carcinogenic to humans, based on very limited human data, and has not classified pure sulfuric acid. ATSDR, CDC ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.