| Agent Name |
Formic acid |
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| CAS Number |
64-18-6 |
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| Formula |
C-H2-O2 |
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| Major Category |
Other Classes |
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| Synonyms |
Acide formique [French]; Acido formico [Italian]; Add-F; Ameisensaeure [German]; Aminic acid; Bilorin; C1 acid; Collo-bueglatt; Collo-didax; Formic acid; Formic acid (natural); Formira; Formisoton; Formylic acid; Hydrogen carboxylic acid; Kwas metaniowy [Polish]; Kyselina mravenci [Czech]; Methanoic acid; Mierenzuur [Dutch]; Myrmicyl; Spirit of formic acid; [ChemIDplus] UN1779 |
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| Category |
Organic Acids |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid with a pungent, penetrating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution.]; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in electroplating, brewing, and mirror silvering; also used in the dyeing and finishing of textiles, paper, and leather; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Liquid causes second degree burns after contact for a few minutes; [CHRIS] Highly corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Pulmonary edema can result from heavy inhalation exposure; [ICSC] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
5 ppm |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
10 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
5 ppm |
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| MAK |
5 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
30 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: Because no data on acute inhalation toxicity are available on which to base an IDLH for formic acid, the chosen IDLH is based on an analogy with formaldehyde, which has an IDLH of 30 ppm. . . . Human data: Workers exposed to about 15 ppm have complained of nausea [Fahy and Elkins 1954]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
42.6 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
1.6 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
340 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 15,000 mg/m3/15m |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from AIHA; Flash point = 156 deg F; |
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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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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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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: FORMIC ACID
|
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