. "Appendix B: Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries." Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 1995.
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Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals
LABORATORY CHEMICAL SAFETY SUMMARY: ACETIC ACID
Substance
Acetic acid
(Ethanoic acid)
CAS 64-19-7
Formula
CH3COOH
Physical Properties
Colorless liquid
bp 118 °C, mp 17 °C
Miscible in water (100 g/100 mL)
Odor
Strong, pungent, vinegar-like odor detectable at 0.2 to 1.0 ppm
Vapor Density
2.1 (air = 1.0)
Vapor Pressure
11 mmHg at 20 °C
Flash Point
39 °C
Autoignition Temperature
426 °C
Toxicity Data
LD50 oral (rat)
3310 mg/kg
LD50 skin (rabbit)
1060 mg/kg
LC50 inhal (mice)
5620 ppm (1 h)
PEL (OSHA)
10 ppm (25 mg/m3)
TLV-TWA (ACGIH)
10 ppm (25 mg/m3)
STEL (ACGIH)
15 ppm (37 mg/m3)
Major Hazards
Corrosive to the skin and eyes; vapor or mist is very irritating and can be destructive to the eyes, mucous membranes, and respiratory system; ingestion causes internal irritation and severe injury.
Toxicity
The acute toxicity of acetic acid is low. The immediate toxic effects of acetic acid are due to its corrosive action and dehydration of tissues with which it comes in contact. A 10% aqueous solution of acetic acid produced mild or no irritation on guinea pig skin. At 25 to 50%, generally severe irritation results. In the eye, a 4 to 10% solution will produce immediate pain and sometimes injury to the cornea. Acetic acid solutions of 80% or greater concentration can cause serious burns of the skin and eyes. Acetic acid is slightly toxic by inhalation; exposure to 50 ppm is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat.
Acetic acid has not been found to be carcinogenic or to show reproductive or developmental toxicity in humans.
Flammability and Explosibility
Acetic acid is a combustible substance (NFPA rating = 2). Heating can release vapors that can be ignited. Vapors or gases may travel considerable distances to ignition source
