Citric Acid Safety Guide

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What is Citric Acid?

Citric Acid is a tricarboxylic acid, a type of organic acid. Citric acid is a natural part of metabolic processes as well as a significant product of citrus fruits; it can also be synthesized at industrial scale. Citric acid has many uses, including as a cleaning product for removing mineral buildup and as a flavoring agent in food products such as sour candy.

Citric Acid has the CAS Number 77-92-9.

Notable Properties of Citric Acid

Under normal conditions, citric acid is a white crystalline solid. Citric acid is soluble in water and can be found in aqueous solutions as well.

What Makes Citric Acid Hazardous?

Citric acid can be irritating to the eyes and respiratory system on direct exposure. Overconsumption of citric acid, such as that found on many sour candies, can also be harmful to lips, tongue, and other interior surfaces of the mouth.

Since citric acid is an organic compound, it can serve as a fuel in a fire scenario. This can result in harmful combustion and partial combustion products including smoke, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

Citric Acid Frequently Asked Questions

Is citric acid organic?

Citric acid is an organic compound, meaning it is a chemical compound containing carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds. Citric acid can also be naturally produced, notably in the fruits of citrus plants, such as oranges and lemons.

This does not mean that citric acid will always be compliant with USDA Organic standards, as it can be industrially synthesized and obtained from citrus plants not grown to organic standards.

Are acetic acid and citric acid the same thing?

No, acetic acid and citric acid are separate chemical compounds. Both are organic acids and can be safe to consume in lower concentrations.

Acetic acid is most often associated with vinegar while citric acid is most often associated with citrus plants. Both can come from many different sources.

6 Steps for Safety

Step 1: Read the Warnings

When working with a product for the first time, always read all the safety documents first. This includes safety data sheets, which should be provided by the manufacturer or importer of the citric acid product. There may also be an OSHA chemical label or a Consumer Protection label on the packaging of the citric acid product. These documents all contain important information on the hazards of the product and instructions on how to mitigate those hazards.

Note that different products which contain citric acid can have different safety considerations depending on other ingredients and the relative concentrations of the ingredients.

Step 2: Prepare Your Workspace

Creating a safe workspace, sometimes referred to as engineering control, is a key component of working safely with any potentially hazardous substance.

Citric acid is a solid in its pure form, but also is frequently purchased as an aqueous solution which means it can flow when spilled, as well as seep into surfaces. Therefore, it is important to have a spill kit available with absorbent material to soak up and capture any spilled liquid citric acid.

Step 3: Gather Your PPE

For handing concentrated citric acid, the following PPE is recommended depending on the quantity being used and engineering controls in place.

  • Gloves
    • Basic disposable gloves, or other rubberized gloves, will prevent citric acid from touching the skin on the hands and causing irritation.
  • Eye Protection
    • Safety goggles which form a protective seal around the eyes can be used to prevent citric acid dust or liquid citric acid from reaching the eyes.
  • Respiratory Protection
    • A dust mask or respirator with appropriate organic dust filters can be used to prevent respiratory irritation. Activities such as mixing or pouring large quantities of citric acid are more likely to cause airborne dust which necessitates respiratory protection.

Step 4: Clear Your Workspace

Having a clear workspace is important for safety as it can prevent accidents caused by tripping, as well as allowing you to easily spot any spills.

This is also a good time to ensure all engineering controls are functional. This includes checking that spills kits are properly stocked and ventilation systems are fully functional. Citric acid is not considered flammable for hazard categorization purposes, but is still an organic compound that will burn. Therefore, having a fire extinguisher available is advisable in the workplace.

Step 5: Do The Work

If engineering controls and PPE are used properly, working with citric acid can be done safely. The quantity of citric acid being worked with will affect the level of safety precautions needed.

If work cannot be completed in one sitting, be sure to properly seal any citric acid containers to prevent spills or accidental release when not in use.

Step 6: Clean Up

Citric acid dust or liquid solution may leave residue from any small spills. Clean up spilled citric acid with an appropriate absorbent, such as a paper towel.

Be sure to dispose of any waste in accordance with local regulations. While most household level use of citric acid will be within normal household disposal regulation, citric acid used in a manufacturing process, such as making bath bombs, may be subject to different disposal requirements.

Further Reading

The National Library of Medicine has a PubChem article on Citric Acid.

Check out the Safety Guide Series Hub for more safety guides.

Sources Cited

National Center for Biotechnology Information (2025). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 311, Citric Acid. Retrieved March 3, 2025 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/311.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (n.d.). CITRIC ACID. CAMEO Chemicals. Retrieved February 27, 2025, from https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/10899

 

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