ICSC 0485 - FORMIC ACID

« back to the search result list

FORMIC ACID	ICSC: 0485 (September 1997)
Hydrogen carboxylic acid Methanoic acid Aminic acid Formylic acid

CAS #: 64-18-6

UN #: 1779

EC Number: 200-579-1

	ACUTE HAZARDS	PREVENTION	FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE & EXPLOSION	Combustible. Above 69°C explosive vapour/air mixtures may be formed.	NO open flames. Above 69°C use a closed system and ventilation.	Use water spray, powder, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

AVOID ALL CONTACT!
	SYMPTOMS	PREVENTION	FIRST AID
Inhalation	Sore throat. Cough. Burning sensation. Shortness of breath. Laboured breathing. Unconsciousness. Symptoms may be delayed. See Notes.	Use ventilation, local exhaust or breathing protection.	Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Refer for medical attention.
Skin	MAY BE ABSORBED! Pain. Blisters. Serious skin burns.	Protective gloves. Protective clothing.	Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention .
Eyes	Pain. Redness. Severe deep burns. Blurred vision.	Wear face shield or eye protection in combination with breathing protection.	First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.
Ingestion	Sore throat. Burning sensation. Abdominal pain. Abdominal cramps. Vomiting. Diarrhoea.	Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work.	Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Refer for medical attention .

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL	CLASSIFICATION & LABELLING
Personal protection: complete protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable containers as far as possible. Cautiously neutralize spilled liquid with weak alkaline solution such as disodium carbonate. Then wash away with plenty of water.	According to UN GHS Criteria Transportation UN Classification UN Hazard Class: 8; UN Pack Group: II
STORAGE
Separated from strong oxidants, strong bases, strong acids and food and feedstuffs. Well closed. Keep in a well-ventilated room.
PACKAGING
Do not transport with food and feedstuffs.

FORMIC ACID

ICSC: 0485

PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL INFORMATION
Physical State; Appearance COLOURLESS FUMING LIQUID WITH PUNGENT ODOUR. Physical dangers Chemical dangers Decomposes on heating and on contact with strong acids. This produces carbon monoxide. The substance is a medium strong acid. Reacts violently with oxidants. Reacts violently with strong bases. This generates fire and explosion hazard. Attacks many plastics and metals.	Formula: HCOOH Molecular mass: 46 Boiling point: 101°C Melting point: 8°C Relative density (water = 1): 1.2 Solubility in water: miscible Vapour pressure, kPa at 20°C: 4.6 Relative vapour density (air = 1): 1.6 Relative density of the vapour/air-mixture at 20°C (air = 1): 1.03 Flash point: 69°C Auto-ignition temperature: 520°C Explosive limits, vol% in air: 18-51 Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: -0.54

PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL INFORMATION

Physical State; Appearance
COLOURLESS FUMING LIQUID WITH PUNGENT ODOUR.

Physical dangers

Chemical dangers
Decomposes on heating and on contact with strong acids. This produces carbon monoxide. The substance is a medium strong acid. Reacts violently with oxidants. Reacts violently with strong bases. This generates fire and explosion hazard. Attacks many plastics and metals.

Formula: HCOOH
Molecular mass: 46
Boiling point: 101°C
Melting point: 8°C
Relative density (water = 1): 1.2
Solubility in water: miscible
Vapour pressure, kPa at 20°C: 4.6
Relative vapour density (air = 1): 1.6
Relative density of the vapour/air-mixture at 20°C (air = 1): 1.03
Flash point: 69°C
Auto-ignition temperature: 520°C
Explosive limits, vol% in air: 18-51
Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: -0.54

EXPOSURE & HEALTH EFFECTS
Routes of exposure The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour, through the skin and by ingestion. Effects of short-term exposure The substance is very corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation of the vapour may cause lung oedema. See Notes. The substance may cause effects on the energy metabolism. This may result in acidosis.	Inhalation risk A harmful contamination of the air can be reached rather quickly on evaporation of this substance at 20°C. Effects of long-term or repeated exposure

EXPOSURE & HEALTH EFFECTS

Routes of exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour, through the skin and by ingestion.

Effects of short-term exposure
The substance is very corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation of the vapour may cause lung oedema. See Notes. The substance may cause effects on the energy metabolism. This may result in acidosis.

Inhalation risk
A harmful contamination of the air can be reached rather quickly on evaporation of this substance at 20°C.

Effects of long-term or repeated exposure

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS
TLV: 5 ppm as TWA; 10 ppm as STEL. MAK: 9.5 mg/m³, 5 ppm; peak limitation category: I(2); pregnancy risk group: C. EU-OEL: 9 mg/m³, 5 ppm as TWA

ENVIRONMENT
The substance is harmful to aquatic organisms.

NOTES
The symptoms of lung oedema often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation are therefore essential. Immediate administration of an appropriate inhalation therapy by a doctor, or by an authorized person, should be considered. The odour warning when the exposure limit value is exceeded is insufficient.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EC Classification
Symbol: C; R: 35; S: (1/2)-23-26-45; Note: B

All rights reserved. The published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Neither ILO nor WHO nor the European Commission shall be responsible for the interpretation and use of the information contained in this material.