Acetic anhydride

Synonyms

Acetic acid anhydride, Acetic oxide, Acetyl oxide, Ethanoic anhydride

Category

Acid Anhydrides, Other

Description

Colorless liquid with a strong, pungent, vinegar-like odor;

Sources/Uses

Used to manufacture cellulose acetate fibers, plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes, perfumes, explosives, and food starches; [ACGIH]

Comments

Evidence of skin sensitization in a guinea pig study, but insufficient data to recommend SEN notation; Workers exposed to >5 ppm have immediate eye and respiratory irritation; [ACGIH] Liquid causes second degree burns after contact for a few minutes. [CHRIS] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Inhalation of high concentrations can cause bronchospasm and pulmonary edema. [NIOSH Guidelines for Chemical Hazards] A lachrymator; [CHEMINFO]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

1 ppm

3 ppm

5 ppm

0.1 ppm

200 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH. . According to AIHA [1971], all rats exposed for 4 hours to 2,000 ppm were dead within 14 days while all rats exposed for 4 hours to 1,000 ppm survived the 14-day observation period [Capellini and Sartorelli 1967]. Because 2,000 ppm is obviously too high to be selected as the IDLH, 1,000 ppm has been chosen. . . . Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for acetic anhydride is 200 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Deichmann and Gerarde 1969]. This may be a conservative value due to the lack of relevant acute toxicity data for workers.

5.1 mm Hg

0.12 ppm

Odor Threshold High

0.36 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 1,000 ppm/4H

Explanatory Notes

Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean <0.14 ppm); VP from HSDB;

Reference Link #2

high ambient temp required

0.5 ppm

15 ppm

100 ppm

Yes

Yes

Skin burns

Not Classifiable

Other Information

No other related information on this agent was found.