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Chemical Name: Propionic Acid
Synonyms: Propanoic acid, Methylacetic acid
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid with a pungent, acidic odor
Chemical Formula: C3H6O2
Molecular Weight: 74.08 g/mol
Common Uses: Preservative in food and animal feed, intermediate in chemical synthesis, herbicide production
Odor Threshold: Detectable at low concentrations; has a strong, sharp, and sour smell recognizable even without special training
Physical Hazards: Flammable liquid and vapor; can ignite with strong heat or spark
Health Hazards: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; irritating to respiratory system when vapors are inhaled
Specific Effects: Inhalation may lead to coughing, sore throat, and difficulty breathing; skin contact results in burning and redness; eye exposure causes pain and possible vision damage
Risk Phrases: Harmful by inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
GHS Classification: Corrosive to skin, serious eye damage, flammable liquid
Main Ingredient: Propionic Acid
CAS Number: 79-09-4
Purity: Usually over 99% for commercial samples
Impurities: Trace levels of water and other volatile organic compounds
Additives: Usually absent unless specifically mixed for specialized use
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air right away; maintain open airway; seek prompt medical advice if breathing symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; flush affected skin with plenty of water for fifteen minutes; seek medical attention for blistering or persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Flush directly with running water for at least fifteen minutes, lifting eyelids to ensure all residue is removed; call a medical professional immediately after flushing
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly with water; do not induce vomiting; call a poison control center or physician
Note for Physicians: Treatment should focus on symptoms; there is no antidote but quick dilution for ingested material and irrigation for contact cases support positive outcomes
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid use of direct water jet as it can spread material
Combustion Products: Burning releases toxic fumes including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
Firefighting Precautions: Wear full protective gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus for enclosed or heavily involved fires
Special Risks: Vapors form explosive mixtures with air at higher concentrations
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area of non-essential personnel; ventilate area
Protective Equipment: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, and suitable breathing protection
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff into soil, waterways, and drains; alert authorities if a large spill threatens natural resources
Methods for Clean-Up: Absorb spill with inert material such as sand; collect in suitable containers for disposal; neutralize residues with dilute alkali, then mop up
Decontamination: Rinse area thoroughly with water when chemical pick-up is completed
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers; keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and direct sunlight
Handling Precautions: Use only with adequate ventilation; avoid inhaling vapors and contact with skin and eyes
Storage Location: Cool, well-ventilated spaces away from incompatible materials such as strong oxidizers and bases
Container Materials: Use corrosion-resistant containers; check regularly for leaks
Avoid: Prolonged storage at high temperatures accelerates decomposition and potential pressure build-up
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 10 ppm (30 mg/m3) TWA
Engineering Controls: Use fume hoods and process enclosures; provide eyewash stations and emergency showers
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves such as nitrile or neoprene, impact-resistant goggles, face shield, and lab coat or apron
Respiratory Protection: Use filtered respirators for vapor concentrations above exposure limits
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling; do not eat, drink, or smoke during handling
Physical State: Liquid
Color: Clear, colorless
Odor: Strong, pungent, and sour
pH: Approx. 2.5 (as a dilute solution)
Boiling Point: 141°C
Melting Point: -21°C
Flash Point: 54°C (closed cup)
Explosion Limits: Lower: 2.9% / Upper: 12.1% (v/v in air)
Density: 0.99 g/cm3 at 20°C
Vapor Pressure: 4 mmHg at 20°C
Solubility: Miscible with water, ethanol, and ether
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts strongly with bases, oxidizers, and reducing agents
Decomposition: Releases hazardous gases upon heating, such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
Polymerization: Not known to undergo dangerous polymerization
Conditions to Avoid: Elevated temperatures, open flames, electrical sparks, contact with incompatible substances
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 for rats is around 3,200 mg/kg
Inhalation Effects: Exposure above recommended levels causes eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation
Dermal Effects: Absorbed through skin; contact may result in burns and systemic effects with prolonged or repeated exposure
Chronic Effects: Continuous exposure leads to respiratory irritation, dermatitis; risk of lasting vision loss if eyes are not washed
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not listed as carcinogenic by NTP, IARC, or OSHA
Environmental Risks: Acute toxicity to aquatic organisms at high concentrations; can cause oxygen depletion in water bodies
Persistence: Breaks down biologically and through reaction with water, does not bioaccumulate
Mobility: Highly soluble in water, travels through soil and can enter groundwater
Aquatic Impact: Harmful for fish and invertebrates if large amounts reach waterways
Disposal Methods: Neutralize with dilute sodium carbonate; dilute residues thoroughly before disposal into approved waste systems
Waste Classification: Handle as hazardous chemical waste
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers thoroughly, triple rinse, then recycle or dispose of according to local regulations
Avoid: Never discharge undiluted propionic acid into natural water bodies or sewers
Shipping Name: Propionic Acid
Transport Class: Flammable liquid
Packing Group: II (Medium danger)
Labels: Flammable, Corrosive
Special Precautions: Secure containers upright; separate from oxidizers; avoid rough handling or exposure to extreme temperatures on route
OSHA Status: Regulated as hazardous
EPA Regulations: Listed as a chemical requiring reporting under certain circumstances
DOT Status: Regulated as a hazardous material
International Listings: Not restricted under most chemical control laws but subject to shipping codes and occupational exposure standards
Right-To-Know: States such as California and New Jersey include it on chemical safety disclosure lists
