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Chemical Datasheet

PROPIONIC ACID

8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 79-09-4   (PROPIONIC ACID)
  • 1848
  • Corrosive
  • PNA
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Propionic acid
  • PROPIONIC 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
Colorless liquid with a sharp rancid odor. Produces irritating vapor. (USCG, 1999)

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble. Dilution with water causes release of heat.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 153 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:

Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways. Substance may be transported in a molten form. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Liquid causes skin and eye burns. Vapors may irritate eeyes, nose, and throat, but should not cause systemic illness. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
PROPIONIC ACID is a colorless, oily liquid, moderately toxic, corrosive. Flammable when exposed to heat, flame or oxidizers. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 1090].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 153 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

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
Fire Extinguishing Agents: Water, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, or alcohol foam. (USCG, 1999)
Non-Fire Response
Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Dilute with water, then neutralize with lime or soda ash. (USCG, 1999)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Propionic acid:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Propanoic acid 79-09-4 Liquid >480
> indicates greater than.

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
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Corrosive chemicals will destroy the membranes of the mouth, throat, and esophagus and, in addition, have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Transport the victim IMMEDIATELY to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C3H6O2
Flash Point: 130°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 2.9 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 14.8 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 870°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -6.7°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 2.9 mmHg at 68°F ; 10 mmHg at 103.5°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 2.56 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.995 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 285.3°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 74.09 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 10.24 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Propionic acid (79-09-4) 15 ppm 28 ppm 170 ppm LEL = 29000 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
Propionic acid 79-09-4 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