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Chemical Datasheet

ACETIC ACID, SOLUTION, MORE THAN 80% ACID

8 - Corrosive 3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 64-19-7   (ACETIC ACID, GLACIAL)
  • 2789
  • Corrosive
  • Flammable Liquid
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Acetic acid
  • ACETIC ACID
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
2
3 0
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 2 Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
Clear colorless aqueous solution with a pungent odor.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
An aqueous solution. Dilution can generate heat.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids will float on water. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

May cause toxic effects if inhaled or ingested. Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
Mixing ACETIC ACID in equal molar portions with any of the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: 2-Aminoethanol, chlorosulfonic acid, ethylene diamine, ethyleneimine [NFPA 1991]. Acetic acid or acetic anhydride can explode with nitric acid if not kept cold. Potassium hydroxide residue in a catalyst pot reacted violently when acetic acid was added [MCA Case History 920. 1963]. During the production of terephthalic acid, n-xylene is oxidized in the presence of acetic acid. During these processes, detonating mixtures may be produced. Addition of a small amount of water may largely eliminate the risk of explosion [NFPA 491M.1991.p. 7]. Acetaldehyde was put in drums previously pickled with acetic acid. The acid caused the acetaldehyde to polymerize and the drums got hot and vented [MCA Case History 1764. 1971]. A mixture of ammonium nitrate and acetic acid ignites when warmed, especially if concentrated [Von Schwartz 1918. p. 322 ]. Several laboratory explosions have been reported using acetic acid and phosphorus trichloride to form acetyl chloride. Poor heat control probably caused the formation of phosphine [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 60:488. 1938]. Acetic acid forms explosive mixtures with p-xylene and air (Shraer, B.I. 1970. Khim. Prom. 46(10):747-750.).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Some of these materials may react violently with water.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal. Do not get water inside containers.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material. For hydrazine, absorb with DRY sand or inert absorbent (vermiculite or absorbent pads). Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 132 [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Acetic acid (>95%) 64-19-7 Liquid imm >480 84 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.
"imm" indicates immediate; having a normalized breakthrough time of 10 minutes or less.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Call 911 or emergency medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; wash face and mouth before giving artificial respiration. Use a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin. Keep victim calm and warm. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. (ERG, 2020)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C2H4O2, aqueous
Flash Point: 103°F (NFPA, 2010)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: 10.66 eV [From NPG: Acetic acid] (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 50 ppm [From NPG: Acetic acid] (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Acetic Acid (64-19-7) 5 ppm star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 35 ppm 250 ppm
star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Acetic acid (64-19-7) 5 ppm 35 ppm 250 ppm LEL = 40000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Acetic acid 64-19-7 5000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names