| Agent Name |
Methyl formate |
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| Alternative Name |
Formic acid, methyl ester |
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| CAS Number |
107-31-3 |
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| Formula |
C2-H4-O2 |
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| Major Category |
Solvents |
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| Synonyms |
Methyl ester of formic acid; Methyl methanoate; Formic acid, methyl ester; [NIOSH] UN1243 |
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| Category |
Esters |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. [Note: A gas above 89 degrees F.] [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a solvent, fumigant, and chemical intermediate; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
In animal inhalation studies, pulmonary edema, narcosis, and death occur at concentrations in the range of 5000 ppm to 10,000 ppm for one to three hours of exposure; [ACGIH] Intravenous doses of approximately 4g/kg cause significant methemoglobinemia in experimental dogs. [HSDB] No reported cases of toxic pneumonitis in humans; May cause slight skin irritation; [CHEMINFO] A skin and eye irritant that causes CNS effects at high concentrations; [ICSC] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
100 ppm |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
150 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
100 ppm |
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| MAK |
50 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
4500 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
No adverse effects were found in humans after exposure to 1,500 ppm for 1 minute [Schrenk et al. 1936]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
476 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
67 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
2809 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 5,200 mg/m3/4H |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 2000 ppm); Flash point = -2 deg F; [CHEMINFO] |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
4: burns readily |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Methemoglobinemia |
Methemoglobinemia, Secondary |
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| Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: METHYL FORMATE
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