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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
  • H335 - May cause respiratory irritation (unverified) [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation - Category 3]
    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)
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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)
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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)
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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