Stronger effect / evidence
redorangeyellowgray
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, priority yellow
Toxic to Humans & Animals – Can be fatal on contact, ingestion or inhalation for humans and other mammals.
Irritates The Skin, priority orange
Irritates the Skin – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the skin.
Irritates The Eyes, priority orange
Irritates the Eyes – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the eye.

Chronic (Long Term) EffectsData sources

Asthma Trigger, priority yellow
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, priority orange
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, priority gray
Brain/Nervous System Harm – Can cause damage to the nervous system including the brain.
Other Health Effects, priority orange
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 review
    AOEC - Asthmagens
    Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
  • Asthmagen (Rr&Rs) - irritant-induced & sensitizer-induced
    AOEC - Asthmagens
    Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
  • Agent Causing Occupational Asthma
    Quebec CSST - Asthma Agents
    Québec 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 C
    MAK
    MAK Commission of Germany (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)

Direct Hazard » Brain/Nervous System Harm

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Neurotoxic
    Boyes - Neurotoxicants
    Pattys 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 - Japan
    Government of Japan
  • H370 - Causes damage to organs (unverified) [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure - Category 1]
    EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure category 2
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
Close

Inherent HazardsData sources

Flammable, priority yellow
Flammable – Easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly.
Reactive, priority yellow
Reactive – May spontaneously ignite or explode on its own or in contact with water.
Restricted List, priority gray
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 3-1
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Class B3 - Combustible liquids
    Québec CSST - WHMIS 1988
    Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
  • Flammable liquids category 3
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
  • H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
  • H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]
    GHS - Malaysia
    Malaysia Department of Occupational Safety and Health
  • H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]
    GHS - Australia
    Safe Work Australia
  • H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour (unverified) [Flammable liquids - Category 3]
    EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)

Direct Hazard » Reactive

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Class E - Corrosive materials
    Québec CSST - WHMIS 1988
    Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
  • Corrosive to metals category 1
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
  • H290 - May be corrosive to metals (unverified) [Corrosive to metals - Category 1]
    EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)

Direct Hazard » Restricted List

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Substances selected for RMOA or hazard assessment
    EU - PACT-RMOA Substances
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Reportable Chemicals
    MA Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) listed substances
    Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
  • Food Contact Chemicals Database Version 5.0
    Food Contact Chemicals Database (FCCdb)
    Food Packaging Forum
  • TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory - Active
    TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (Active-Inactive)
    US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
Close

How does this chemical impact the environment?Data sources

Immediate Harm To Aquatic Ecosystems, priority yellow
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, priority gray
Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – Long term exposure may result in irreversible harm to fish or other aquatic organisms.
Harmful To Land Ecosystems, priority yellow
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 - Japan
    Government 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 submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)

Direct Hazard » Harmful to Land Ecosystems

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Hazardous to terrestrial vertebrates
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
Close

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?

Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Skin contact

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

gloves
Handle with gloves
suit
Protective clothing