Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Formic Acid

Identification

Product Name: Formic Acid
Synonyms: Methanoic Acid, Aminic Acid
CAS Number: 64-18-6
EC Number: 200-579-1
Recommended Use: Preservative, disinfectant, textile processing, leather production, chemical synthesis
Manufacturer: Information provided on label
Contact Information: [Emergency phone listed on container]
Brand/Supplier: [See container label]
Address: [Manufacturer’s address as per container details]

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Corrosive to skin and eyes, Acute toxic (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin burns, Eye damage, Respiratory irritation
GHS Pictograms: Corrosion, Exclamation Mark
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; Harmful if swallowed or inhaled; Causes respiratory tract irritation
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective clothing, gloves, and face/eye protection; Do not breathe vapors or mist; Wash thoroughly after handling; Store locked up in a well-ventilated place
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: Formic Acid
Chemical Formula: CH₂O₂
Molecular Weight: 46.03 g/mol
Concentration Range: 85–99% by weight (industrial grade)
Impurities: Water (can be present in lower grades), trace organic acids
Other Ingredients: None significant at relevant concentrations

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air immediately; keep warm and at rest; seek medical attention for breathing difficulties
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; rinse skin thoroughly with running water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical help for continuing irritation or burns
Eye Contact: Hold eyelids apart and rinse eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; remove contact lenses if easy; seek prompt ophthalmological care
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; do not induce vomiting; give water if victim conscious; immediate medical attention needed
Symptom Watch: Look for burns, redness, blistering, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide; do not use straight water streams
Specific Hazards: Forms carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and toxic vapors under fire conditions; container rupture possible from pressure build-up
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear full protective gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus
Firefighting Instructions: Approach upwind; move containers away from fire if safe
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, formic acid vapor, and possibly formaldehyde

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate, avoid breathing vapors or mist, use personal protective gear (gloves, goggles, chemical-resistant apron)
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from entering drains, soil, and natural water bodies
Cleanup Methods: Absorb small spills with inert material such as vermiculite, sand, or earth; for large spills, dike area and pump liquid into salvage containers; wash site with water after material removal
Spill Notification: Notify local authorities if significant environmental contamination occurs or if release enters waterways
Disposal: Collect cleanup residues and dispose in accordance with local regulations

Handling and Storage

Handling Procedures: Handle only in well-ventilated areas; keep away from heat sources and open flames; avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; use non-sparking tools
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers made from suitable materials (stainless steel, glass, specific plastics); keep away from incompatible substances like bases, strong oxidizers, and possibly strong dehydrating agents
Storage Temperatures: Recommended ambient temperature below 30°C; avoid freezing
Incompatible Materials: Bases, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, metals like aluminum, cyanides, and sulfides
Special Precautions: Check containers for corrosion or leaks regularly; keep locked and clearly labeled

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 5 ppm (time-weighted average), 10 ppm (short-term exposure limit); OSHA PEL: 5 ppm (TWA)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, chemical fume hood, eyewash stations, emergency showers
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, acid-resistant aprons, full face shields or splash goggles
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator when exposure risk exists
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after use; prohibit eating, drinking, and smoking in work area

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless, pungent, fuming liquid
Odor: Pungent, penetrating acrid odor
Odor Threshold: Detectable at very low concentrations, around 0.1 ppm
pH Value: Strongly acidic in aqueous solution (pH < 2 for concentrated solution)
Melting Point: 8.4°C (47°F)
Boiling Point: 100.8°C (213.4°F)
Flash Point: 69°C (156°F)
Flammability: Combustible liquid
Vapor Pressure: 43 mmHg at 25°C
Solubility: Fully miscible with water, ethanol, ether, acetone
Density: 1.22 g/cm³ at 20°C
Viscosity: 1.57 mPa·s at 20°C
Partition Coefficient (Log Kow): -0.54

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions; decomposes to carbon monoxide and water upon strong heating
Reactivity: Reacts vigorously with oxidizers, strong bases, reducing agents, metals
Hazardous Reactions: Can form explosive hydrogen gas in contact with certain metals; exothermic polymerization possible with dehydrating agents
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde at elevated temperatures
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to heat, direct sunlight, open flames, incompatible materials, strong alkalis, and humid atmosphere

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 730 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 (rabbit): 640 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 (rat): 7.4 mg/L (4 hr)
Corrosive Effects: Severe burns to eyes, skin, mucous membranes, risk of blindness; inhalation causes corrosive injuries to nose, throat, and lungs
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause dermatitis, chronic respiratory irritation, kidney or liver damage
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Target Organs: Skin, eyes, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract
Symptoms: Burning sensation, coughing, headache, nausea, redness, pain, ulceration

Ecological Information

Acute Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life; fish LC50 (96hr, species-specific) ~130 mg/L; daphnia EC50 (48hr) ~34 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions; does not bioaccumulate
Mobility in Soil: Very high; migrates rapidly in ground and surface water
Other Hazards: Can lower pH and disrupt aquatic and soil ecosystems if released in large quantities
Eco-Toxic Effects: At high concentrations, acidification leads to risk for aquatic organisms, plants, and microorganisms

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Dilute and neutralize with suitable base, then dispose as hazardous chemical waste via licensed disposal contractor
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers must be rinsed thoroughly and disposed according to local, regional, and national regulations
Discharge to Environment: Prohibited to release untreated material to sewers or water bodies
Precautionary Disposal Notes: Wear full protective equipment during handling and disposal; comply with all regulatory requirements
Recommended Disposal Technology: Designated chemical waste incineration facility with proper scrubbers

Transport Information

UN Number: 1779
Proper Shipping Name: Formic Acid
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substance)
Packing Group: II (Moderate hazard)
Labels Required: Corrosive label per DOT/ADR/IMDG/IATA regulations
Marine Pollutant: Not classified as a marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Secure containers upright, avoid transport with incompatible chemicals, ventilation required for shipping vehicle
Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) No.: 153

Regulatory Information

TSCA: Listed
REACH Registration: Registered under EC No. 1907/2006
OSHA HazCom Classification: Corrosive, hazardous chemical
SARA Title III: Not listed for Section 302 EHS or Section 313
WHMIS Classification (Canada): Class E (Corrosive Material), Class D2B (Toxic Material)
EINECS Number: 200-579-1
California Prop 65: Not listed
Other International: Conforms to GHS criteria; specific local and national legislations may apply