Palmitic acid
Agent Name
Palmitic acid
CAS Number
57-10-3
Formula
C16-H32-O2
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
1-Pentadecanecarboxylic acid; C16 fatty acid; Cetylic acid; Emersol 140; Emersol 143; Hexadecanoic acid; Hexadecylic acid; Hydrofol; Hystrene 8016; Hystrene 9016; Industrene 4516; Palmitate; Palmitic acid (natural); Palmitic acid 95%; Pentadecanecarboxylic acid; n-Hexadecanoic acid; n-Hexadecoic acid; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Organic Acids
Description
Colorless or white solid; [ICSC] Off-white solid; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Found as glycerol ester in oils and fats; Produced from palm oil, Japan wax, or Chinese vegetable tallow; [Merck Index] Very common naturally occurring fatty acid; Used to make metallic palmitates and esters; in soaps and cosmetics; in lube oils; for waterproofing; in food-grade additives; as a non-drying oil (surface coating); [HSDB]
Comments
No listed effects of short-term or long-term exposure; "Health effects of exposure to the substance have not been investigated." [ICSC] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] When given intravenously at lethal doses, causes convulsions; Causes mild irritation when administered to human skin; [RTECS] May cause irritation; [MSDSonline]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Vapor Pressure
3.8E-07 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
10 ppm
Explanatory Notes
Odor threshold (detection) = 10 ppm; [HSDB]
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: