ETHANOIC ACID

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Basic information

  • Chemical formula(s): \({\rm CH_3COOH}\), \({\rm CH_3CO_2H}\), \({\rm C_2H_4O_2}\), \({\rm HC_2H_3O_2}\)
  • Other names: acetic acid, glacial acetic acid, ethylic acid, methanecarboxylic acid
  • CAS: 64-19-7
  • International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): 0363
  • Flammability: yes - moderately
  • NOAA’s description: clear colourless liquid with a strong odour of vinegar, corrosive to metals and tissue.

NFPA 704 (fire diamond)

  • Health (blue): 3 - short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury.
  • Flammability (red): 2 - must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperature before ignition can occur. Flash point at 40 °C.
  • Instability–reactivity (yellow): 0 - normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water.
  • Special notice (white): -

Hazard statements

Code Phrase
H226 flammable liquid and vapour
H314 causes severe skin burns and eye damage

Precautionary statements

Code Phrase
P280 wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: rinse continuously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing
P310 immediately call the ETH Emergency Desk: +41 44 342 11 88 (from mobile) or 888 (from landline)

Protective measures

Gloves

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and OSHA Glove Selection Chart categorize gloves into four protection levels (very good, good, fair, poor (not recommended)) for given chemical. The levels of protection against ethanoic acid for four types of gloves are:

  • Neoprene: very good.
  • Natural latex or rubber: very good.
  • Buthyl: very good.
  • Nitrile: very good.

Safety goggles

  • Always wear safety goggles when handling ethanoic acid. Corrective glasses are not considered safety googles.
  • Handle ethanoic acid inside the fume hood only (with exception of moving the closed bottle to and from the storage cabinet).

Clothing

  • Wear long trousers and fully covered shoes.
  • Contact lenses are forbidden while working with chemical substances, even in combination with safety glasses.
  • Do not wear cosmetics.
  • Do not wear synthetic clothing while working with flammable liquids or gases or when a hazard is present as these materials tend to melt and stick to exposed skin.
  • Do not wear headphones.

Spill management

  • Use personal protective equipment.
  • Avoid dust formation, avoid breathing dust.
  • Avoid breathing vapors or mist.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation.
  • Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
  • Sweep up without creating dust and arrange disposal.
  • Do not let it enter drain.
  • If a spill happened outside the fume hood (on the floor or desktop) contact Dr Jakub Tkaczuk (+41 44 632 31 62) and the ETH Emergency Desk (+41 44 342 11 88 from mobile or 888 from landline).