Right to Know

Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: PROPIONIC ACID
Synonyms: Ethylformic Acid; Methylacetic Acid CAS Number: 79-09-4
Chemical Name: Propanoic Acid RTK Substance Number: 1599
Date: April 2001 Revision: April 2010 DOT Number: UN 1848

Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE LAST PAGE

Propionic Acid is a colorless, oily liquid with a strong, Hazard Summary
unpleasant odor. It is used as a preservative, fungicide, and Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA
antimicrobial agent. HEALTH - 3
FLAMMABILITY - 2
f ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.026 to 0.17 ppm
REACTIVITY - 0
f Odor thresholds vary greatly. Do not rely on odor alone to
determine potentially hazardous exposures. CORROSIVE
COMBUSTIBLE
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE

Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;

Reasons for Citation 4=severe
f Propionic Acid is on the Right to Know Hazardous
f Propionic Acid can affect you when inhaled and by passing
Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH,
through the skin.
NFPA and EPA.
f Propionic Acid is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL and contact
f This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance
can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible
List.
eye damage.
f Inhaling Propionic Acid can irritate the nose, throat and
lungs causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of
breath.
f Propionic Acid can cause headache, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea and abdominal pain.
SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5.

FIRST AID Workplace Exposure Limits

Eye Contact
f Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 30
NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is
minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact 10 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift and
lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention. 15 ppm, not to be exceeded during any 15-minute
work period.
Skin Contact
f Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash
contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Seek ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 10 ppm averaged
medical attention. over an 8-hour workshift.

Inhalation f The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin
f Remove the person from exposure. contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though
f Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if air levels are less than the limits listed above.
breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped.
f Transfer promptly to a medical facility.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300
NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337
National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802
PROPIONIC ACID Page 2 of 6

Determining Your Exposure Reproductive Hazard

f There is no evidence that Propionic Acid affects
f Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data reproduction. This is based on test results presently
Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product available to the NJDOH from published studies.
ingredients and important safety and health information
about the product mixture. Other Effects
f For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New f Propionic Acid can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure
may cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, phlegm,
Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact
and/or shortness of breath.
Sheet, available on the RTK website
(www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb) or in your facility’s RTK
Central File or Hazard Communication Standard file.
Medical
f You have a right to this information under the New Jersey
Worker and Community Right to Know Act and the Public Medical Testing
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the
Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act
following are recommended:
if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the
federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you f Lung function tests
are a private worker.
f The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and
present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for
employers to label chemicals in the workplace and damage already done are not a substitute for controlling
requires public employers to provide their employees with exposure.
information concerning chemical hazards and controls.
The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right
CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee
Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).
similar information and training to their employees.
Mixed Exposures
f Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer,
This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information
regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen
Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if
factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce
effects described below. your risk of developing health problems.

Health Hazard Information

Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Propionic Acid:

f Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with
possible eye damage.
f Inhaling Propionic Acid can irritate the nose, throat and
lungs causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of
breath.
f Propionic Acid can cause headache, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Chronic Health Effects

The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at
some time after exposure to Propionic Acid and can last for
months or years:

Cancer Hazard
f While Propionic Acid has been tested, further testing is
required to assess its potential to cause cancer.
PROPIONIC ACID Page 3 of 6

Workplace Controls and Practices Eye Protection

Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or f Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles
sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less when working with liquids.
toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures f Wear non-vented, impact resistant goggles when working
include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely with fumes, gases, or vapors.
irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust f Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with
ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances.
exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control
exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on Respiratory Protection
workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators
Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. should only be used if the employer has implemented a written
program that takes into account workplace conditions,
The following work practices are also recommended: requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and
f Label process containers.
medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory
f Provide employees with hazard information and training. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134).
f Monitor airborne chemical concentrations.
f Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed f Where the potential exists for exposure over 10 ppm, use a
recommended exposure levels. NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an organic
f Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. vapor cartridge. Increased protection is obtained from full
f Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous facepiece powered-air purifying respirators.
material. f Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or
f Always wash at the end of the workshift. cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect
f Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes Propionic Acid, (2) while wearing particulate filters
contaminated. abnormal resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye
f Do not take contaminated clothing home. irritation occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator.
f Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good.
f Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer
being handled, processed or stored. good, you may need a new respirator.
f Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, f Consider all potential sources of exposure in your workplace.
applying cosmetics or using the toilet. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters or cartridges
to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as
In addition, the following may be useful or required: vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals.
f Where the potential exists for exposure over 100 ppm, use a
NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
f Where possible, transfer Propionic Acid from drums or
operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure
other containers to process containers in an enclosed
mode. For increased protection use in combination with an
system.
auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus or an
f Before entering a confined space where Propionic Acid
emergency escape air cylinder.
may be present, check to make sure that an explosive
concentration does not exist.

Fire Hazards
Personal Protective Equipment If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard
The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR (29 CFR 1910.156).
1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate
personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train f Propionic Acid is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID.
f Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant
employees on how and when to use protective equipment.
foam as extinguishing agents.
f POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE.
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may f Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
not apply to every situation. f Flow or agitation may generate electrostatic charges.
f Propionic Acid may form an ignitable vapor/air mixture in
Gloves and Clothing closed tanks or containers.
f Avoid skin contact with Propionic Acid. Wear personal
protective equipment made from material which can not be
permeated or degraded by this substance. Safety
equipment suppliers and manufacturers can provide
recommendations on the most protective glove and clothing
material for your operation.
f Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Butyl and
Teflon® for gloves, and Tychem® Responder®, or the
equivalent, as a protective material for clothing.
f All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.
PROPIONIC ACID Page 4 of 6

Spills and Emergencies Occupational Health Information

If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be
Resources
properly trained and equipped. The OSHA Hazardous Waste
Operations and Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR The New Jersey Department of Health offers multiple services
1910.120) may apply. in occupational health. These services include providing
informational resources, educational materials, public
If Propionic Acid is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: presentations, and industrial hygiene and medical
investigations and evaluations.
f Evacuate personnel and secure and control entrance to the
area.
f Eliminate all ignition sources. For more information, please contact:
f Absorb liquids in dry sand, earth, or a similar material and
place into sealed containers for disposal.
f Ventilate area of spill or leak.
New Jersey Department of Health
f Keep Propionic Acid out of confined spaces, such as Right to Know
sewers, because of the possibility of an explosion. PO Box 368
f DO NOT wash into sewer. Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
f It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Propionic Phone: 609-984-2202
Acid as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Fax: 609-984-7407
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your
regional office of the federal Environmental Protection E-mail: [email protected]
Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. Web address: http://www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb

The Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets

Handling and Storage are not intended to be copied and sold
Prior to working with Propionic Acid you should be trained on for commercial purposes.
its proper handling and storage.

f Propionic Acid reacts violently and explosively with

OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES,
PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES,
NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE) and
PHOSPHORUS TRICHLORIDE.
f Propionic Acid may react violently with STRONG BASES
(such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM
HYDROXIDE); REDUCING AGENTS (such as LITHIUM,
SODIUM, ALUMINUM and their HYDRIDES); and AMINES.
f Propionic Acid reacts with POWDERED METALS (such as
ALUMINUM and ZINC) to produce flammable and explosive
Hydrogen gas.
f Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
area away from METALS as Propionic Acid is corrosive to
LEAD, STEEL and NICKEL.
f Propionic Acid may accumulate static electricity.
PROPIONIC ACID Page 5 of 6

GLOSSARY

ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial LEL or Lower Explosive Limit, is the lowest concentration of
Hygienists. They publish guidelines called Threshold Limit a combustible substance (gas or vapor) in the air capable of
Values (TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. continuing an explosion.
mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air.
Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) are established
It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
by the EPA. They describe the risk to humans resulting from
once-in-a lifetime, or rare, exposure to airborne chemicals.
A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation
is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations
Boiling point is the temperature at which a substance can
can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.
change its physical state from a liquid to a gas.
NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies
A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer.
substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.
The CAS number is unique, identifying number, assigned by
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
the Chemical Abstracts Service, to a specific chemical.
Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves
respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and
CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which are the
proposes standards to OSHA.
regulations of the United States government.
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals
A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn.
and reviews evidence for cancer.
A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes
OSHA is the federal Occupational Safety and Health
destruction of human skin or severe corrosion of containers.
Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety
standards.
The critical temperature is the temperature above which a
gas cannot be liquefied, regardless of the pressure applied.
PEOSHA is the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational
Safety and Health Act, which adopts and enforces health and
DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental
safety standards in public workplaces.
Protection.
Permeated is the movement of chemicals through protective
DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency
materials.
that regulates the transportation of chemicals.
ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a
EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal
measure of concentration by volume in air.
agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards.
Protective Action Criteria (PAC) are values established by
ERG is the Emergency Response Guidebook. It is a guide for
the Department of Energy and are based on AEGLs and
emergency responders for transportation emergencies
ERPGs. They are used for emergency planning of chemical
involving hazardous substances.
release events.
Emergency Response Planning Guideline (ERPG) values
A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases
provide estimates of concentration ranges where one
energy under certain conditions.
reasonably might anticipate observing adverse effects.
STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15-
A fetus is an unborn human or animal.
minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time
during a work day.
A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will
ignite easily and burn rapidly.
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by
damaging the fetus.
The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid
gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air.
UEL or Upper Explosive Limit is the highest concentration in
air above which there is too much fuel (gas or vapor) to begin a
IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a
reaction or explosion.
scientific group.
Vapor Density is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of
Ionization Potential is the amount of energy needed to
one gas to the weight of another (usually Air), at the same
remove an electron from an atom or molecule. It is measured
temperature and pressure.
in electron volts.
The vapor pressure is a force exerted by the vapor in
IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database on
equilibrium with the solid or liquid phase of the same
human health effects that may result from exposure to various
substance. The higher the vapor pressure the higher
chemicals, maintained by federal EPA.
concentration of the substance in air.
 Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: PROPIONIC ACID

Synonyms: Ethylformic Acid; Methylacetic Acid; Propanoic Acid
CAS No: 79-09-4
Molecular Formula: C3H6O2
RTK Substance No: 1599
Description: Colorless, oily liquid with a strong, unpleasant odor

HAZARD DATA
Hazard Rating Firefighting Reactivity
3 - Health COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID Propionic Acid reacts violently and explosively with
Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol- OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES,
2 - Fire resistant foam as extinguishing agents. PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES,
NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE) and
0 - Reactivity POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE.
PHOSPHORUS TRICHLORIDE.
Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers Propionic Acid may react violently with STRONG
DOT#: UN 1848
cool. BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and
ERG Guide #: 132 Flow or agitation may generate electrostatic POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE); REDUCING AGENTS (such
Hazard Class: 8 charges. as LITHIUM, SODIUM, ALUMINUM and their
(Corrosive) Propionic Acid may form an ignitable vapor/air HYDRIDES); and AMINES.
mixture in closed tanks or containers. Propionic Acid reacts with POWDERED METALS (such
as ALUMINUM and ZINC) to produce flammable and
explosive Hydrogen gas.

SPILL/LEAKS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Isolation Distance: Odor Threshold: 0.026 to 0.17 ppm
Flash Point: 126oF (52oC)
Spill: 50 meters (150 feet) LEL: 2.9%
Fire: 800 meters (1/2 mile) UEL: 12.1%
Absorb liquids in dry sand, earth, or a similar material Auto Ignition Temp: 869o to 955oF (465o to 513oC)
and place into sealed containers for disposal. Vapor Density: 2.6 (air = 1)
Keep Propionic Acid out of confined spaces, such as Vapor Pressure: 2 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
sewers, because of the possibility of an explosion. Specific Gravity: 1 (water = 1)
DO NOT wash into sewer. Water Solubility: Soluble
Neutralize water spills with lime or soda ash. Boiling Point: 286oF (141oC)
Propionic Acid is harmful to aquatic organisms. Freezing Point: -60oF (-21oC)
Ionization Potential: 10.24 eV
Molecular Weight: 74.08

EXPOSURE LIMITS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

NIOSH: 10 ppm, 10-hr TWA; 15 ppm STEL Gloves: Butyl and Teflon® (>4-hr breakthrough)
ACGIH: 10 ppm, 8-hr TWA Coveralls: Tychem® Responder® (>8-hr breakthrough)
The Protective Action Criteria values are: Respirator: >10 ppm - full facepiece APR with Organic Vapor filters
PAC-1 = 15 ppm PAC-2 = 15 ppm PAC-3 = 350 ppm >100 ppm - SCBA

HEALTH EFFECTS FIRST AID AND DECONTAMINATION

Eyes: Severe irritation, burns and possible eye Remove the person from exposure.
damage Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 30 minutes. Remove
Skin: Severe irritation and burns contact lenses if worn. Seek medical attention.
Inhalation: Nose, throat and lung irritation, with Quickly remove contaminated clothing and wash contaminated skin with
coughing, wheezing and shortness of large amounts of water. Seek medical attention.
breath Begin artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and CPR if necessary.
Headache, nausea and abdominal pain Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
April 2010