| Agent Name |
Methyl acetate |
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| CAS Number |
79-20-9 |
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| Formula |
C3-H6-O2 |
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| Major Category |
Solvents |
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| Synonyms |
Acetate de methyle [French]; Acetic acid, methyl ester; Devoton; Ethyl ester of monoacetic acid; Methyl acetate; Methyl acetate (natural); Methyl acetic ester; Methyl ethanoate; Methylacetaat [Dutch]; Methylacetat [German]; Methyle (acetate de) [French]; Methylester kiseliny octove [Czech]; Metile (acetato di) [Italian]; Octan metylu [Polish]; Tereton; [ChemIDplus] UN1231 |
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| Category |
Esters |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid with a fragrant, fruity odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a flavoring agent and as a solvent in paint removers and lacquers; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
In the body, methyl acetate is hydrolyzed into methanol and acetic acid. It causes narcosis in animals exposed to high concentrations. [ACGIH] Ethyl acetate is in the list of "Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation" published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. [Reference #1] An eye and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [ICSC] |
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| Reference Link |
Volatile Substance Abuse |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
200 ppm |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
250 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
200 ppm |
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| MAK |
100 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
3100 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: It has been reported that concentrations of 10,000 ppm for a short time caused irritation which persisted after exposure stopped [Clayton and Clayton 1981]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
216 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.17 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
1733 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LCLo (rats) = 32,000 ppm/4H |
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| Explanatory Notes |
IDLH = 10% LEL; Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 180 ppm); Flash point = -10 deg C |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
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| Adverse Effects |
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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 ACETATE
|
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