MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET PROPIONIC ACID
PRODUCT CODE NUMBER(S): 6860-5
PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION Reactivity: Avoid elevated temperatures, ignition sources,
incompatible and combustible materials, generatiaon of mist
Chemical Name and Synonyms: Propionic acid; or vapour.
Propanoic acid; Carboxyethane Hazardous Decomposition Products: COx
Chemical Family: Aliphatic carboxylic acid/alkanoic acid
FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA
Chemical Formula: CH3CH2COOH
Product Use: Laboratory reagent
Flammability: Combustible liquid and vapour. Can form
Manufacturer鈥檚 Name and Address: combustible mixutres with air at, or above, 52.2掳C. Can
Caledon Laboratories Ltd. accumulatein confined spaces, causing a toxicity and explo-
40 Armstrong Avenue sion hazard.
Georgetown, Ontario L7G 4R9 Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical; alcohol or polymer
foam or carbon dioxide. Water spray may be used to cool
Telephone No: (905) 877-0101
containers, disperse vapours, dilute chemical to a
Fax No: (905) 877-6666
non-flammable level, and flush material away from ignition
Emergency Telephone No: CANUTEC (613) 996-6666 sources, but may be ineffective for extinguishing fire. Fight
fire from a distance, from upwind direction. Firefighters must
HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS OF MATERIALS wear protective respiratory equipment and clothing
(chemcial splash suit) sufficient to prevent inhalation of mists
Ingredients % TLV Units CAS No. or vapours, and contact with skn and eyes. Containers may
explode in heat of fire; withdraw immediately in case of ris-
Propionic acid 99 10 ppm 79-09-4
ing sound from vent or discoloration of tank.
Flash Point (Method Used): 51掳C (CC)
PHYSICAL DATA
Autoignition Temperature: 466掳C (lowest reported value)
Physical State: Liquid Upper Explosion Limit (% by volume): 12
Odour and Appearance: Clear, colourless, oily liquid with Lower Explosion Limit (% by volume): 2.1
a rancid odour
Hazardous Combustion Products: COx, acrid smoke, irri-
Odour Threshold (ppm): 0.026-0.17 ppm (detection);
tating fumes.
0.033 ppm (recognition). Good warning properties, TLV
Sensitivity to Impact: None identified
greater than odour threshold.
Sensitivity to Static discharge: Liquid and vapour may be
Vapour Pressure (mm Hg): 2.4 to 3.0 mm Hg at 20掳C
ignited by static discharge. Liquid may accumulate static
Vapour Density (Air = 1): 2.55
charge by flow or agitation.
Evaporation Rate (bu ac = 1): Not available
TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND HEALTH DATA
Boiling Point (degrees C): 141掳C
Freezing Point (degrees C): -20.7掳C
Toxicological Data:
pH: 2.9 (0.1M solution, aqueous)
LD50: (oral, rat) 2,600 mg/kg: (dermal, rabbit) 496 mg/kg
Specific Gravity: 0.992-0.994
LC50: Not available
Coefficient of Water/Oil distribution: log P (oct) = 0.25
SHIPPING DESCRIPTION Effects of Acute Exposure to Product:
Inhaled: Corrosive. Inhalation of vapours or mists may
UN: 1848
cause severe irritation, with sore throat, nasal irritation,
T.D.G. Class: 8
coughing, shortness of breath. Extreme overexposure may
Pkg. Group: III cause spasm, chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary edema and
death. Below 0.25 ppm/ 8h, no effects were observed.
REACTIVITY DATA In contact with skin: Corrosive. Causes moderate to se-
vere irritation depending on the concentration and duration
Chemical Stability: Stable
of contact. Can cause burns, permanent scarring, if expo-
Incompatibility with other substances: May react vio- sure is prolonged. Animal testing indicates the chemical
lently or explosively with oxidizing agents. May react may be absorbed through skin with systemic toxic effects.
violently with strong bases, reducing agents, producing heat In contact with eyes: Corrosive. Exposure to vapours,
and pressure. Forms spontaneously flammable phosphine mist, or dilute solutions causes moderate to severe irritation
with phosphorus trichloride; may explode. Produces flam- depending on the concentration and duration of contact.
mable hydrogen gas with reactive metals (powdered Can cause burns, permanent scarring, blindness if exposure
alumium or zinc), May ignite with potassium t-butoxide. is severe.
Corrosive to grey cast iron, steel, nickel,
Ingested: Used as a food additive because of its
nickel-chromium-iron alloy and lead Aqueous acid corrodes
antimicrobial effect. However, it is corrosive and ingestion of
aluminum, anhydrous form does not.
concentrated solutions may burn tissue of gastrointestinal
PROPIONIC ACID
MSDS
CODE: 6860-5
tract. Aspiration of even a small amount (during ingestion or should be made of fire and corrosion and fire-resistant ma-
vomiting) could cause severe lung damage, pulmonary terials, and have raised sills and a trench which drains to a
edema, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, and death. Inges- safe location. Inspect periodically for damage or leaks.
tion is not a typical route of occupational exposure.
FIRST AID MEASURES
Effects of Chronic Exposure to Product:
Specific Measures:
Carcinogenicity: No human information available. Not
Eyes: IMMEDIATELY flush eyes with gently running water
considered carcinogenic (RTECS No. UE5950000)
for at least twenty to thirty (20-30) minutes, holding eyelids
Teratogenicity: No human or animal information available
open while flushing. DO NOT INTERRUPT FLUSHING.
Reproductive Effects: No human or animal information
Take care not to flush contaminated water into unaffected
available
eye or onto face. Normal saline may be used if it is avail-
Mutagenicity: Human mutation data reported (RTECS) able. Wear protective gloves to avoid contact with chemical.
Synergistic Products: None found Obtain medical advice immediately. (Flushing may be con-
tinued while casualty is transported to medical facility.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES Skin: Remove contaminated clothing under running water
(including shoes, watches, belts, and rings). IMMEDIATELY
Engineering Controls: Non-sparking, grounded, corrosion flush the exposed area with large amounts of running water
resistant exhaust system, separate from other systems, re- for at least twenty to thirty (20-30) minutes. Do not interrupt
quired. flushing. Wear protective gloves and clothing to avoid con-
Respiratory Protection: Dust/mist mask. Use only in tact with material. Get medical attention immediately.
fumehood. NIOSH approved respirator with organic vapour Completely decontaminate clothing and shoes before reuse,
cartridges for concentrations above TLV. Higher or un- or discard.
known concentrations, as in fire or spill conditions: positive Inhalation: Immediately remove to fresh air (caution must
pressure, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus, be used by rescuers to avoid exposure to contaminating
or positive pressure, full face-piece air-supplied respirator fumes). Give oxygen and get medical attention for any
with an auxiliary positive pressure self-contained breathing breathing difficulty. Stay with casualty until medical assis-
apparatus. tance is reached.
Eye Protection: Chemical safety goggles and/or face Ingestion: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the casualty
shield. Do not wear contact lenses. is alert and NOT convulsing, immediately give 1 to 2
Skin Protection: Telfon脭 gloves. Other impervious glasses of WATER OR MILK to dilute the material. Trans-
body-covering clothing, sleeves, coveralls, boots, sufficient port to medical facility. If spontaneous vomiting occurs,
to prevent contact. have casualty lean forward to avoid breathing in of emesis.
Other Personal Protective Equipment: Safety shower Rinse mouth and administer more water or milk.
and eye-wash fountain in work area.
REFERENCES USED
Leak and Spill Procedure: Evacuate area. Shut off all
sources of ignition. Cleanup personnel must be trained in
Budavari: The Merck Index, 12th ed., 1997
the handling of hazardous materials, and must wear protec-
Sax: Dangerous Properties of Industrial Chemicals, 5th ed.,
tive equipment and clothing sufficient to prevent inhalation of
1979
dust or fumes, and contact with skin and eyes. DO NOT
TOUCH SPILLED MATERIAL. Stop leak if safe to do so. Sax, Lewis: Hawley鈥檚 Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th
Absorb on inert absorbent, transfer to container and trans- ed., 1987
port to safe area. Contaminated absorbent material may
Suppliers鈥? Material Safety Data Sheets
pose the same hazards as the spilled product; treat with
caution. Arrange removal by disposal company. Wash site
of spillage thoroughly with water and detergent.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Waste Disposal: Dispose of in compliance with local, pro-
vincial and federal regulations.
Date Issued: July 22, 1991
Handling Procedures and Equipment: CORROSIVE,
Revision: September 2007
COMBUSTIBLE, TOXIC LIQUID. Workers using this mate-
MSDS: 6860-5
rial must be thoroughly trained in its hazards and its safe
use, and must wear protective equipment and clothing suffi- Proposed WHMIS Designation: B3; D1B; E
cient to prevent inhalation of mists or vapours and contact
with skin and eyes. Keep away from heat, sparks, flame, Prepared by: Caledon Laboratories Ltd. (905) 877-0101
hot surfaces, and all sources of ignition, and from all com-
Caledon Laboratories Ltd. believes the information contained
bustible or incompatible materials. Use non-sparking tools.
herein is reliable and accurate. Caledon makes no warranty
Use corrosion resistant equipment. Use the smallest
with respect thereto and expressly disclaims all liability for reli-
amount possible for the purpose, in an area with adequate
ance thereon. Such information is solely for your consider-
ventilation. Avoid generating mist or vapour. Avoid inhala-
ation, investigation, and verification.
tion of mist or vapours. Avoid all contact. Never add water
to acid; always add acid to water. Use cold water; stir in
small amounts slowly.
Storage Requirements: Store in suitable, labelled contain-
ers, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, out of direct sunlight.
Keep containers tightly closed when not in use and when
empty. Protect from damage. Store away from incompatible
materials and all sources of ignition. Storage facilities
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