| Agent Name |
Ethyl formate |
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| Alternative Name |
Formic acid, ethyl ester |
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| CAS Number |
109-94-4 |
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| Formula |
C3-H6-O2 |
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| Major Category |
Solvents |
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| Synonyms |
Aethylformiat [German]; Areginal; Carboxylic acid oxaethane; Ethyl formate; Ethyl formate (natural); Ethyl formic ester; Ethyl methanoate; Ethyle (formiate d') [French]; Ethylester kyseliny mravenci [Czech]; Ethylformiaat [Dutch]; Etile (formiato di) [Italian]; Formic acid, ethyl ester; Formic ether; Mrowczan etylu [Polish]; [ChemIDplus] UN1190 |
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| Category |
Esters |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid with a fruity odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as flavoring agent, solvent for nitrocellulose, and reagent in organic synthesis; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Liquid causes second degree burns after contact for a few minutes. [CHRIS] The anesthetic potency of ethyl formate is greater than ethanol, acetone, and alkanes such as pentane, but less than chlorinated hydrocarbons and ethyl ether. [ACGIH] Esters may induce narcosis in animals, but workers' exposures are limited by irritating effects. See appendix in: [Dick RB, et al. Chemicals in the workplace: incorporating human neurobehavioral testing into the regulatory process. Am J Ind Med. 1998 May;33(5):439-53.] Inhalation of high concentrations causes drowsiness and unconsciousness; 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) |
100 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
100 ppm |
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| MAK |
100 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
1500 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
It has been reported that 330 ppm produced slight eye irritation and rapidly increasing nasal irritation [Flury and Zernik 1931]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
245 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
18 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
20 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LCLo (rats) = 8,000 ppm/4H |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from AIHA; Flash point = -20 deg C; |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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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: ETHYL FORMATE
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