Chloroacetic acid

Agent Name
Chloroacetic acid
Alternative Name
Monochloroacetic acid
CAS Number
79-11-8
Formula
C2-H3-Cl-O2
Major Category
Other Classes
Chloroacetic acid formula graphical representation
Synonyms
Monochloroacetic acid; Acetic acid, chloro-; Acide chloracetique [French]; Acide chloracetique [ISO-French]; Acide chloroacetique [French]; Acide monochloracetique [French]; Acidomonocloroacetico [Italian]; Chloracetic acid; Chloroacetic acid; Chloroethanoic acid; Kyselina chloroctova [Czech]; MCA; Monochloorazijnzuur [Dutch]; Monochloracetic acid; Monochloressigsaeure [German]; Monochloroacetic acid; Monochloroethanoic acid; Acetic acid, 2-chloro-; Acetic acid, chloro-; [ChemIDplus] MCA; [AIHA] UN1750; UN1751; UN3250;
Category
Organic Acids
Description
Colorless, white, or light-brown crystals with a vinegar-like odor; [HSDB]
Sources/Uses
Used as a herbicide, preservative, bacteriostat, and chemical intermediate; [HSDB]
Comments
Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Inhalation of aerosol can cause lung edema; May be toxic to the heart, kidneys, and CNS; [ICSC] A severe skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Liquid can burn skin and eyes; [CAMEO] Several accidents have been described; Molten MCA causes severe burns; it is absorbed through the skin; Signs of poisoning include metabolic acidosis, cardiac arrhythmias, disorientation, coma, rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, and cerebral edema; [AIHA]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.5 ppm, inhalable fraction and vapor
MAK
0.5 ppm
Vapor Pressure
0.065 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
0.045 ppm
Odor Threshold High
6.14 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 180 mg/m3
Explanatory Notes
Melting point = 50-63 degrees C; [HSDB] Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; Flash point = 126 deg C; VP from HSDB;
NFPA
must be preheated
WEEL
0.5 ppm

Adverse Effects

Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: