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Weaker effect / evidence
Acetic acid
CAS: 64-19-7
How can this chemical affect my health?
Acute (Short Term) EffectsData sources

Toxic to Humans & Animals – Can be fatal on contact, ingestion or inhalation for humans and other mammals.

Irritates the Skin – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the skin.

Irritates the Eyes – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the eye.
Data sources
Direct Hazard » Toxic to Humans & Animals
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- FIFRA Registered PesticideUS EPA - OPP - Registered PesticidesUS Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
- H312 - Harmful in contact with skin [Acute Toxicity (dermal) - Category 4]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
- H312 - Harmful in contact with skin (unverified) [Acute toxicity (dermal) - Category 4]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- H332 - Harmful if inhaled (unverified) [Acute toxicity (inhalation) - Category 4]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Acute dermal toxicity category 4GHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
- Acute inhalation toxicity category 4GHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
- Acute oral toxicity category 4GHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
Direct Hazard » Irritates the Skin
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H314 - Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1A or 1B or 1C]EU - GHS (H-Statements) Annex 6 Table 3-1European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Skin corrosion category 1BGHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
- H314 - Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Skin corrosion / irritation - Category 1]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
- H314 - Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1A or 1B or 1C]GHS - MalaysiaMalaysia Department of Occupational Safety and Health
- H314 - Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1A or 1B or 1C]GHS - AustraliaSafe Work Australia
- H314 - Causes severe skin burns and eye damage (unverified) [Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1A or 1B or 1C]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
Direct Hazard » Irritates the Eyes
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Serious eye damage category 1GHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
- H318 - Causes serious eye damage [Serious eye damage / eye irritation - Category 1]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
- H318 - Causes serious eye damage [Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 1]GHS - MalaysiaMalaysia Department of Occupational Safety and Health
- H318 - Causes serious eye damage (unverified) [Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 1]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
Chronic (Long Term) EffectsData sources

Asthma Trigger – Can result in high sensitivity so that small quantities trigger asthma, nose or sinus inflammation or other allergic reactions in the respiratory system.

Birth Defects – Can cause harm to the developing child including birth defects, low birth weight and biological or behavioral problems that appear as the child grows.

Brain/Nervous System Harm – Can cause damage to the nervous system including the brain.

Other Health Effects – Can cause serious damage on contact or ingestion.
Data sources
Direct Hazard » Asthma Trigger
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Asthmagen (A) - expert listed pending AEOC reviewAOEC - AsthmagensAssociation of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
- Asthmagen (Rr&Rs) - irritant-induced & sensitizer-inducedAOEC - AsthmagensAssociation of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
- Agent Causing Occupational AsthmaQuebec CSST - Asthma AgentsQuébec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
Direct Hazard » Birth Defects
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Pregnancy Risk Group CMAKMAK Commission of Germany (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
Direct Hazard » Brain/Nervous System Harm
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- NeurotoxicBoyes - NeurotoxicantsPattys Toxicology: author William K Boyes
Direct Hazard » Other Health Effects
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H370 - Causes damage to organs [Specific target organs/systemic toxicity following single exposure - Category 1]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
- H370 - Causes damage to organs (unverified) [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure - Category 1]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure category 2GHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
Inherent HazardsData sources

Flammable – Easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly.

Reactive – May spontaneously ignite or explode on its own or in contact with water.

Restricted List – This chemical is on a list from an authoritative body recommending that its use be avoided.
Data sources
Direct Hazard » Flammable
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]EU - GHS (H-Statements) Annex 6 Table 3-1European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Class B3 - Combustible liquidsQuébec CSST - WHMIS 1988Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
- Flammable liquids category 3GHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
- H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
- H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]GHS - MalaysiaMalaysia Department of Occupational Safety and Health
- H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]GHS - AustraliaSafe Work Australia
- H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour (unverified) [Flammable liquids - Category 3]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
Direct Hazard » Reactive
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Class E - Corrosive materialsQuébec CSST - WHMIS 1988Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
- Corrosive to metals category 1GHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
- H290 - May be corrosive to metals (unverified) [Corrosive to metals - Category 1]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
Direct Hazard » Restricted List
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Substances selected for RMOA or hazard assessmentEU - PACT-RMOA SubstancesEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Reportable ChemicalsMA Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) listed substancesMassachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
- Food Contact Chemicals Database Version 5.0Food Contact Chemicals Database (FCCdb)Food Packaging Forum
- TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory - ActiveTSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (Active-Inactive)US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
How does this chemical impact the environment?Data sources

Immediate Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – A single exposure may result in severe biological harm or death to fish or other aquatic organisms.

Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – Long term exposure may result in irreversible harm to fish or other aquatic organisms.

Harmful to Land Ecosystems – Can cause harm to land based plants, animals or microorganisms.
Data sources
Direct Hazard » Immediate Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H402 - Harmful to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute) - Category 3]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
Direct Hazard » Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H412 - Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects (unverified) [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (chronic) - Category 3]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
Direct Hazard » Harmful to Land Ecosystems
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Hazardous to terrestrial vertebratesGHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
What safer alternatives are available for this chemical?
Find case studies related to substitutions for this chemical in SubsPORT, the substitution support portal.
How am I likely to be exposed to this chemical?

Skin contact
How can I protect myself from exposure to this chemical in the workplace?

Handle with gloves

Protective clothing