Lead acetate trihydrate or Sugar of lead or Plumbous acetate or Salt of Saturn

Product Overview & Quality

Product Name: Lead (II) acetate trihydrate 99.5% or Lead acetate trihydrate or Sugar of lead or Plumbous acetate trihydrate or Salt of Saturn
Brand: QReC (Product Code: QR-L2003-1-0500)
Grade: Analytical Reagent High Purity Grade (AR Grade) featuring an exceptional certified chemical assay of not less than 99.5 percent in a 500 g laboratory container. Manufactured and multi-recrystallized under strict QReC global laboratory specifications without anti-caking additives, maintaining stoichiometric trihydrate crystalline hydration. Rigorously tested to enforce minimal water-insoluble matter (strictly below 0.005 percent), alongside ultra-low ppm limits of chloride, nitrate, sulfate, copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and arsenic. Uniform, dry crystalline prisms dissolve completely in carbon dioxide-free water (or water acidified with trace acetic acid) to yield crystal-clear, sediment-free solutions. Packaged in a heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant polymer container equipped with an airtight hermetic seal to prevent particulate escape and environmental lead contamination.
Physical Properties: Colorless translucent monoclinic crystals, crystalline plates, or fine white crystalline powder. Faint, characteristic acetic acid odor. Distinctive, intensely sweet metallic taste (extremely hazardous; tasting is strictly forbidden). Slightly efflorescent in dry air; slowly reacts with atmospheric carbon dioxide to form an insoluble white film of basic lead carbonate. Low melting point of approximately 75 degrees Celsius. Non-combustible inorganic salt. Aqueous solutions are weakly acidic to practically neutral (pH approximately 5.5 to 6.5 for a 5 percent aqueous solution at room temperature).
Solubility: Readily and highly soluble in water (approximately 45 to 50 grams per 100 milliliters at 20 degrees Celsius, increasing to over 100 grams per 100 milliliters in boiling water); freely soluble in glycerol; moderately soluble in ethanol; practically insoluble in diethyl ether.
Key Use: Universally utilized as the primary chemical reagent for preparing lead acetate test papers used in environmental monitoring, wastewater analysis, and petrochemical testing for the rapid, highly sensitive colorimetric detection of toxic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas via the formation of a dark brown-to-black lead sulfide stain. Extensively applied as a high-density contrast stain in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) biological tissue preparation protocols, enhancing cellular membrane and organelle ultrastructure visibility. Heavily employed as a clarifying, deproteinizing, and defecating reagent in analytical sugar chemistry (polarimetry and HPLC) to selectively precipitate interfering proteins, organic acids, gums, and tannins. Serves as a vital water-soluble chemical intermediate for synthesizing specialized lead inorganic salts and metal-organic frameworks in materials science. Routinely used as a mordant in historical dyeing formulations and specialty pigment research.

Safety & Hazards (Critical Cumulative Neurotoxin, Carcinogen, Reproductive Hazard & Severe Aquatic Pollutant)

Classification: May damage fertility or the unborn child (Reproductive Toxicity Category 1A). Suspected of causing cancer (Carcinogenicity Category 2). Causes damage to organs (Central nervous system, kidneys, blood, cardiovascular system) through prolonged or repeated exposure (Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated Exposure Category 1). Harmful if swallowed or inhaled (Acute Toxicity Oral/Inhalation Category 4). Causes serious eye damage. Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (Aquatic Chronic Category 1).
Health Risks: Lead is an insidious, bioaccumulative heavy metal poison that displaces functional divalent cations in vital enzymatic systems. Direct ocular contact causes acute chemical stinging, conjunctival ulceration, and potential corneal opacity. Dermal contact produces localized irritation, erythema, dryness, and rapid absorption through abrasions. Inhalation of particulate dust aggressively irritates the respiratory tract, undergoing rapid alveolar absorption into systemic circulation. Critical Chronic Cumulative Hazard: Repeated exposure leads to saturnism (chronic lead poisoning), marked by progressive neurocognitive decline, motor neuropathy (wrist drop), encephalopathy, microcytic hypochromic anemia, chronic interstitial nephritis, male/female sterility, spontaneous abortions, and profound congenital fetal defects. Acute ingestion, despite its sweet taste, causes violent gastrointestinal burning, severe spasmodic abdominal colic (lead colic), nausea, vomiting, obstinate constipation or diarrhea, hypertension, convulsions, coma, and cardiorespiratory arrest.
First Aid Measures: Immediately flush affected eyes with an abundant stream of clean flowing water for at least 15 to 20 minutes while stripping contaminated clothing; remove contact lenses promptly and seek immediate emergency ophthalmological care. Wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. In case of dust inhalation, rapidly relocate the victim to fresh air. If accidentally swallowed, do NOT induce vomiting; thoroughly rinse mouth, immediately administer a dilute aqueous solution of sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate (to precipitate insoluble, unabsorbable lead sulfate in the gastrointestinal lumen), and transport to an emergency medical facility immediately for professional chelation therapy.

Handling & Storage

Storage: Regulated Reproductive Toxin, Cumulative Heavy Metal Poison, and Severe Aquatic Pollutant. Must be preserved in its original, tightly closed QReC container placed inside secondary containment within a dedicated, locked hazardous chemical storage cabinet. Store in a clean, strictly dry, cool, and well-ventilated dedicated chemical store at controlled temperatures (below 25 degrees Celsius), sheltered from atmospheric humidity and direct sunlight. Keep strictly segregated from strong oxidizing agents, strong mineral acids, caustic alkalis, carbonates, sulfates, sulfides (which trigger insoluble precipitations), and foodstuffs.
Precautions: Comprehensive specialized PPE is mandatory, including chemical-resistant nitrile gloves, splash-proof safety goggles, a certified particulate dust respirator (HEPA / P100 rated), and a protective lab coat. “Mandatory Handling Protocol: Dispense, weigh, and handle all lead acetate powders exclusively and strictly within a certified, properly functioning laboratory fume hood to prevent airborne particulate dispersal and chronic inhalation. Pregnant or nursing personnel are strictly prohibited from handling this chemical.” Never discharge lead washings or residues into municipal sewers; collect exclusively in dedicated heavy-metal toxic waste streams for certified hazardous disposal.