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The background information page contains information and concepts that will be useful in understanding some of the issues surrounding the NPI. It is strongly recommended that you read this before reading the information presented below.
For an explanation of some of the terms used in this page, see the Glossary
| Substance name | Acetic acid (ethanoic acid) |
| CASR number | 64-19-7 |
| Molecular formula | C2H4O2 |
| Synonyms | Ethylic acid; vinegar acid; vinegar; methanecarboxylic acid; TCLP extraction fluid 2; shotgun; glacial acetic acid, glacial ethanoic acid. |
Physical and chemical properties Physical properties: Colourless liquid or solid with a strong vinegar-like odour
Chemical properties: |
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Common uses Used to prepare dilute acetic acids and strong ammonium acetate solution. Has been used for destruction of warts, in eardrops, as an expectorant, liniment and astringent. Is used in the manufacture of acetic anhydride, cellulose acetate, vinyl acetate, chloroacetic acid, plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes, insecticides, laundry sour, photographic chemicals, vitamins, antibiotics, cosmetics and hormones. It is used as an antimicrobial agent, latex coagulant and oil-well acidifier. It is used in textile printing, as a preservative in foods and as a solvent for gums, resins, volatile oils and many other substances. |
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Sources of emissions Point sources The primary sources are from the industries that produce acetic acid or use it as a intermediate in the production of other products. Diffuse sources, and point sources included in aggregated emissions data From a range of products and foodstuffs that may contain acetic acid. Natural sources Is a natural product in fermentation of some foods. Mobile sources None. Consumer products which may contain Acetic acid (ethanoic acid) Present in vinegar, pickles, some preserved foods, agricultural chemicals , automobile body polish and cleaners, disinfectants (non-agricultural), Glass window cleaning preparations, herbicides, household alkaline detergents and cleaners, laundry aids including ironing aids and dry cleaning spotting preparation, specialty cleaning and sanitation products, paint and varnish removers, pharmaceutical preparations, semigloss, eggshell, satin water thinned internal paints and tinting bases, wood office furniture. |
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Health effects How might I be exposed to Acetic acid (ethanoic acid)? By breathing vapours, by drinking solutions containing it or by contact with the skin or eyes. By what pathways might Acetic acid (ethanoic acid) enter my body? By the action of the vapours on the eyes or respiratory tract. By eating or drinking foods or substances containing acetic acid or by skin contact. Relative health hazard On a health hazard spectrum of 0 - 3 Acetic acid (ethanoic acid) registers 1.7. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to health, 2 represents a medium hazard and 1 is harmful to health. Factors that are taken into account to obtain this ranking include the extent of the material's toxic or poisonous nature and/or its lack of toxicity, and the evaluation of its tendency to cause, or not cause cancer and/or birth defects. It does not take into account exposure to the substance. Human exposure is reflected in the NPI rank given to this substance (see comparative data below). A substance that scores highly as a health hazard is arsenic at 2.3 and one of the lowest scores is ammonia at 1.0.  Health guidelines Worksafe Australia:Maximum 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure should not exceed: 10 ppm (25 mg/m3); Maximum short term exposure limit (STEL): 15 ppm (37 mg/m3) See the Additional Information page for current health information. The Australian NOHSC National Exposure Standards Database link is probably the most useful source of information. Note that the emissions data in the NPI database is not directly comparable with these guidelines. What effect might Acetic acid (ethanoic acid) have on my health? Inhalation of acetic acid in general causes irritation of the nose, throat and lungs. Inhalation of concentrated vapour may cause serious damage to the lining of the nose, throat and lungs. Delayed breathing difficulties can occur. Persons may become sensitised to repeat exposure. Ingestion of this compound in concentrated form may cause severe corrosion of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract with vomiting, diarrhoea, circulatory collapse, kidney failure and death. Skin contact with concentrated solutions causes serious skin damage. Rarely, skin sensitisation has been reported. Skin contact may cause second degree burns after a few minutes of contact with concentrated solutions. Direct eye contact with concentrated liquid causes permanent opacification of the cornea in humans the severity of the injury may not be evident for a day or two. |
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Environmental effects Environmental Fate Acetic acid degrades rapidly to harmless substances in the environment. Environmental Transport Acetic acid can be transported as a vapour and in water. Relative hazard to the environment On an environmental spectrum of 0 - 3 Acetic acid (ethanoic acid) registers 1. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to the environment and 0 a negligible hazard. Factors that are taken into account to obtain this ranking include the extent of the material's toxic or poisonous nature and/or its lack of toxicity, and the measure of its ability to remain active in the environment and whether it accumulates in living organisms. It does not take into exposure to the substance. Environmental exposure is reflected in the NPI rank for this substance (see comparative data below). A substance that scores highly as an environmental hazard is oxides of nitrogen at 3.0 and one of the lower scores is carbon monoxide at 0.8.  Environmental guidelines See the Additional Information page for current environmental guidelines. No national guidelines. What effect might Acetic acid (ethanoic acid) have on the environment? Environmental effects depend on concentration and duration of exposure. In high concentrations it can have serious effects on plants, animals and aquatic life. |
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Comparative data NPI Rank Approximately 400 substances were considered for inclusion on the NPI reporting list. A risk ranking was given based on health and environmental hazard identification and human and environmental exposure to the substance. Some substances were grouped together at the same rank with 208 ranks in total. Acetic acid (ethanoic acid) was ranked as 81 out of the 208 ranks. Total hazard score (human health + environmental criteria) = 2.7.  |
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Sources of information used in preparing this article
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Additional information provides more details on information sources.
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Last Updated: Monday, 27-Oct-2003 15:23:24 EST |
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