Aluminum sulfate octadecahydrate

Synonyms

Aluminum sulphate octadecahydrate; Cake alum octadecahydrate; Dialuminum sulfate octadecahydrate; Patent alum; Sulfuric acid, aluminum salt (3:2), octadecahydrate; [ChemIDplus] Cake alum; [Merck Index] UN3077

Category

Metals, Inorganic Compounds

Description

White solid; [Merck Index]

Sources/Uses

Used for tanning leather, sizing paper, fireproofing and waterproofing cloth, clarifying oils and fats, treating sewage, waterproofing concrete, deodorizing and decolorizing petroleum, and purifying water; Also used in dyeing (mordant) and in manufacturing (lakes, aluminum resinate, aluminum salts, aluminum acetate solutions, antiperspirants, and agricultural pesticides; [Merck Index]

Comments

Causes degenerative changes to brain in 13-week oral studies of rats; [RTECS] An irritant; [Merck Index] An irritant that may cause serious eye injury; Targets the lungs and bone; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS] See "Aluminum sulfate."

Biomedical References

Explanatory Notes

The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Environmentally hazardous substances, solid, n.o.s."

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Petroleum Production and Refining
• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Sewer and Wastewater Treatment
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)