| Agent Name |
Propionic acid |
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| CAS Number |
79-09-4 |
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| Formula |
C3-H6-O2 |
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| Major Category |
Other Chemicals |
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| Synonyms |
Acide propionique [French]; C3 acid; Carboxyethane; Ethanecarboxylic acid; Ethylformic acid; Kyselina propionova [Czech]; Luprosil; Metacetonic acid; Methyl acetic acid; Methylacetic acid; Monoprop; Propanoic acid; Propionic acid; Propionic acid (natural); Propionic acid grain preserver; Propionoic acid; Prozoin; Pseudoacetic acid; Sentry grain preserver; Tenox P grain preservative; [ChemIDplus] UN1848 |
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| Category |
Organic Acids |
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| Description |
Colorless, oily liquid with a pungent, disagreeable, rancid odor. [Note: A solid below 5 degrees F.]; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a fungicide, herbicide and emulsifying agent; it occurs naturally in cheese and is an approved food preservative. [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Liquid causes second degree burns after contact for a few minutes. [CHRIS] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] [Acute irritant contact dermatitis from propionic acid used in animal feed preservation. Contact Dermatitis. Henschel R, et al. 1999 Jun;40(6):328. No abstract available.] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
10 ppm |
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| Vapor Pressure |
3 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.02 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
0.17 ppm |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.066 ppm); Flash point = 52 deg C; |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
2: high ambient temperature required |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: PROPIONIC ACID
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