Formic acid

Synonyms

Acide formique [French]; Acido formico [Italian]; Add-F; Ameisensaeure [German]; Aminic acid; Bilorin; C1 acid; Collo-bueglatt; Collo-didax; Formic acid; Formic acid (natural); Formira; Formisoton; Formylic acid; Hydrogen carboxylic acid; Kwas metaniowy [Polish]; Kyselina mravenci [Czech]; Methanoic acid; Mierenzuur [Dutch]; Myrmicyl; Spirit of formic acid; [ChemIDplus] UN1779

Category

Organic Acids

Description

Colorless liquid with a pungent, penetrating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution.]; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used in electroplating, brewing, and mirror silvering; also used in the dyeing and finishing of textiles, paper, and leather; [ACGIH]

Comments

Liquid causes second degree burns after contact for a few minutes; [CHRIS] Highly corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Pulmonary edema can result from heavy inhalation exposure; [ICSC] TLV Basis is upper respiratory tract irritant;

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

5 ppm

5 ppm

5 ppm

30 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: Because no data on acute inhalation toxicity are available on which to base an IDLH for formic acid, the chosen IDLH is based on an analogy with formaldehyde, which has an IDLH of 30 ppm. . . . Human data: Workers exposed to about 15 ppm have complained of nausea [Fahy and Elkins 1954].

42.6 mm Hg

1.6 ppm

Odor Threshold High

340 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 15,000 mg/m3/15m

Explanatory Notes

Odor threshold from AIHA; Flash point = 156 deg F; VP from HSDB;

Reference Link #2

high ambient temp required

3 ppm

25 ppm

250 ppm

Yes

Skin burns

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Electroplating
• Fur Dressing and Dyeing
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Smoking cigarettes