1. Formic acid is a colorless, pungent-smelling liquid that is flammable and causes severe burns upon contact with skin or eyes.
2. Personal protective equipment like acid-resistant clothing and respiratory protection is required when handling formic acid due to its corrosive properties.
3. Formic acid must be stored in a tightly closed, dry, well-ventilated area protected from light at 15-25°C and away from sources of ignition, as it may decompose over long periods of storage.
1. Formic acid is a colorless, pungent-smelling liquid that is flammable and causes severe burns upon contact with skin or eyes.
2. Personal protective equipment like acid-resistant clothing and respiratory protection is required when handling formic acid due to its corrosive properties.
3. Formic acid must be stored in a tightly closed, dry, well-ventilated area protected from light at 15-25°C and away from sources of ignition, as it may decompose over long periods of storage.
1. Formic acid is a colorless, pungent-smelling liquid that is flammable and causes severe burns upon contact with skin or eyes.
2. Personal protective equipment like acid-resistant clothing and respiratory protection is required when handling formic acid due to its corrosive properties.
3. Formic acid must be stored in a tightly closed, dry, well-ventilated area protected from light at 15-25°C and away from sources of ignition, as it may decompose over long periods of storage.
1. Formic acid is a colorless, pungent-smelling liquid that is flammable and causes severe burns upon contact with skin or eyes.
2. Personal protective equipment like acid-resistant clothing and respiratory protection is required when handling formic acid due to its corrosive properties.
3. Formic acid must be stored in a tightly closed, dry, well-ventilated area protected from light at 15-25°C and away from sources of ignition, as it may decompose over long periods of storage.
First-aid personnel: ensure self-protection! After inhalation: fresh air. Summon doctor. After skin contact: wash off with plenty of water. Dab with polyethylene glycol 400. Immediately remove contaminated clothing. After eye contact: rinse out with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes with the eyelid held wide open. Immediately summon eye specialist. After swallowing: make victim drink plenty of water (if necessary several litres), avoid vomiting (risk of perforation!). Immediately summon doctor. Do not attempt to neutralize.
5. Fire-fighting measures M
Suitable extinguishing media:
CO2, foam, powder. Special risks: Combustible. Vapours heavier than air. Formation of hazardous combustion gases or vapours possible in event of fire. Formation of explosive mixtures possible with air. Hydrogen may form upon contact with metals (danger of explosion!). Special protective equipment for fire fighting: Do not stay in dangerous zone without suitable chemical protection clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus.
Other information: Contain escaping vapours with water. Cool containers with water. Prevent fire-fighting water from entering surface water or groundwater.
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Merck Safety Data Sheet 11.2000 from CD-ROM 2000/3 According to EC Directive 91/155/EEC Catalogue No.: 100264 Product name: Formic acid 98-100% GR for analysis ACS
6. Accidental release measures
Person-related precautionary measures: Do not inhale vapours/aerosols. Avoid substance contact. Ensure supply of fresh air in enclosed
CK rooms.
Environmental-protection measures: Do not allow to enter sewerage system.
Procedures for cleaning / absorption:
Take up with liquid-absorbent material (e.g. Chemizorb ). Forward for disposal. Clean up affected area.
Additional notes: Render harmless: neutralize with sodium bicarbonate or diluted sodium hydroxide solution.
7. Handling and storage
Handling: On storage, the effect of the acid on the container material may produce a slight increase in nonvolatile components. May be under pressure. Sensitive to light. Limited shelf life.
Storage: Tightly closed. Dry. In a well-ventilated place. Protected from light. Keep away from sources of ER ignition and heat. At +15˚C to +25˚C. May decompose forming gaseous products, especially when stored over long periods.
8. Exposure controls/personal protection
Specific control parameter German regulations MAK Germany (max. workplace conc.) Name Formic acid Value 5 ml/m3 9.5 mg/m3 Peak limit I local irritating substance Embryotoxic cat. C no risk expected by maintaining TLV M
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Merck Safety Data Sheet 11.2000 from CD-ROM 2000/3 According to EC Directive 91/155/EEC Catalogue No.: 100264 Product name: Formic acid 98-100% GR for analysis ACS
Personal protective equipment:
Protective clothing should be selected specifically for the working place, depending on concentration and quantity of the hazardous substances handled. The resistance of the
CK protective clothing to chemicals should be ascertained with the respective supplier. Respiratory protection: required when vapours/aerosols are generated. Filter B (acc. to DIN 3181) for inorganic gases and vapours Eye protection: required Hand protection: required Other protective Acid-resistant protective clothing. equipment: Industrial hygiene: Work under hood . Do not inhale substance. Avoid generation of vapours/aerosols. Immediately change contaminated clothing. Apply skin- protective barrier cream. Wash hands and face after working with substance.
Immediately change contaminated clothing. Apply skin- protective barrier cream. Wash hands and face after working with substance.
9. Physical and chemical properties
ER Form: liquid Colour: colourless Odour: pungent pH value at 10 g/l H2O (20 ˚C) 2.2 Viscosity dynamic (20 ˚C) 1.8 mPa*s Melting point 8 ˚C (decomposition) Boiling point 101 ˚C Ignition temperature 480 ˚C Flash point 48 ˚C c.c. Explosion limits lower 12 Vol% upper 38 Vol% Vapour pressure (20 ˚C) 42 hPa Relative vapour density_ 1.59 Density (20 ˚C) 1.22 g/cm3 M
Solubility in water (20 ˚C) soluble ethanol soluble ether soluble log P(oct): -0.54 (experimental) Bioconcentration factor ~ 0.22 (calculated)
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Merck Safety Data Sheet 11.2000 from CD-ROM 2000/3 According to EC Directive 91/155/EEC Catalogue No.: 100264 Product name: Formic acid 98-100% GR for analysis ACS
10. Stability and reactivity
Conditions to be avoided
CK Heating. Substances to be avoided alkalis, aluminium, strong oxidizing agents, sulfuric acid, nonmetallic oxides, organic nitro compounds, metal catalysts, phosphorus oxides, hydrogen peroxide.
Hazardous decomposition products
no information available Further information light-sensitive; heat-sensitive (decomposition); Protect from direct sunlight. Explosible with air in a vaporous/gaseous state.
The literature data available to us do not conform with the labelling prescribed by the EC. The EC has dossiers which have not been published.
Specific symptoms in animal studies:
Skin irritation test (rabbit): burns. Effects that must be anticipated: Eye irritation test (rabbit): burns. Subacute to chronic toxicity An embryotoxic effect need not be feared when the threshold limit value is observed.
Noncarcinogenic in animal experiments.
No mutagenic properties suspected. No impairment of reproductive performance in animal experiments.
After inhalation of vapours: Irritation symptoms in the respiratory tract. dyspnoea. After skin contact: burns. After eye contact: burns, conjunctivitis, Lacrimal irritation due to vapours. After swallowing: Burns in oesophagus and stomach. burns of mucous membranes, acidosis. Damage of: kidneys. Further data The product should be handled with the care usual when dealing with chemicals.
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Merck Safety Data Sheet 11.2000 from CD-ROM 2000/3 According to EC Directive 91/155/EEC Catalogue No.: 100264 Product name: Formic acid 98-100% GR for analysis ACS
Distribution: log P(oct): -0.54 (experimental); No bioaccumulation is to be expected (log P(o/w <1). Henry constant: 0.017 Pa*m3/mol (calculated).
Ecotoxic effects: Biological effects: Harmfull effect on aquatic organisms. Forms corrosive mixtures with water even if diluted. Damage of fish and plancton. Harmful effect due to pH shift. Neutralization possible in waste water treatment plants. Fish toxicity: L.idus LC50: 46-100 mg/l /96 h; Daphnia toxicity: Daphnia magna EC50: 34.2 mg/l /48 h; Algeal toxicity: Desmodesmus subspicatus IC50: 27 mg/l /72 h; Bacterial toxicity: Ps.putida EC50: 47 mg/l /17 h;
Further ecologic data:
When used properly, no impairments in the function of waste- water-treatment plants are to be expected. Do not allow to enter waters, waste water, or soil! ER 13. Disposal considerations Product: There are no uniform EC Regulations for the disposal of chemicals or residues. Chemical residues generally count as special waste. The disposal of the latter is regulated in the EC member countries through corresponding laws and regulations. We recommend that you contact either the authorities in charge or approved waste disposal companies which will advise you on how to dispose of special waste. Packaging: Disposal in compliance with official regulations. Handle contaminated packaging in the same way as the substance itself. If not officially specified differently, non-contaminated packaging may be treated like household waste or recycled. M
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Merck Safety Data Sheet 11.2000 from CD-ROM 2000/3 According to EC Directive 91/155/EEC Catalogue No.: 100264 Product name: Formic acid 98-100% GR for analysis ACS
14. Transport information
Land transport GGVS, GGVE, ADR, RID
CK Classification 8/32b Name 1779 AMEISENSAEURE River transport ADN, ADNR Classification not tested Sea transport IMDG, GGVSee Classification 8/UN 1779/PG II Ems 8-05 MFAG 700 Name FORMIC ACID Air transport ICAO, IATA Classification 8/UN 1779/PG II Name FORMIC ACID The transport regulations are cited according to international regulations and in the form applicable in Germany (GGVS/GGVE). Possible national deviations in other countries are not considered. ER 15. Regulatory information Labelling according to EC Directives Symbol: C Corrosive R-phrases: 35 Causes severe burns. S-phrases: 23-26-45 Do not breathe vapour. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label where possible). EC-No.: 200-579-1 EC label
16. Other information
Reason for alteration Change/addition in the chapter 5. Change in the chapter on toxicology. Change in the chapter on ecology. M
General update.
Regional representation: This information is given on the authorised Safety Data Sheet for your country.
The information contained herein is based on the present state of our knowledge. It characterizes the product with regard to the appropriate safety precautions. It does not represent a guarantee of the properties of the product.
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