Acetic acid. Documentation

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Acetic acid. Documentation

Journal Title: Podstawy i Metody Oceny Środowiska Pracy - Year 2013, Vol 29, Issue 3

Abstract

Acetic acid is an organic compound from the group of carboxylic acids. It is a colorless, flam-mable, volatile liquid with a pungent odor. Acetic acid is used in organic synthesis in producing artificial silk, drugs (aspirin, antibacterials, antibiotics), film tape, synthetic fibers (carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, PET bottles and as a descaler. In the form of a weak solution (acetic acid fermentation product), it is used as vinegar for preserving food and agricultural harvest. Acetic acid is registered as a non-selective contact herbicide. It is an HPV substance.The main toxic effect of acetic acid vapor is irritating to the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes and skin. There have been reports of acute poisoning with acetic acid in humans following ingestion of acid by mistake or in suicides, and topical application of the acid to the skin for medicinal purposes, as a compress. Doses of 20-50 g or 60-70 ml of concentrated acetic acid are considered to be fatal to humans. After ingestion or upon contact with concentrated acetic acid, there are burns, necrosis, circulatory collapse, oliguria, hemolysis and hemoglobinuria, and anuria.In animal studies, there is no NOAEL for irritant vapors of acetic acid. The concentration of acetic acid, resulting in a reduction of 50% (RD50) in respiratory rate in mice, is 408 mg/m3 (163 ppm) 560 mg/m[sup]3[/sup] (227 ppm).The odor threshold of acetic acid (OTH) of 1.5 mg/m[sup]3[/sup] (0.6 ppm) and the lateralization limit ba-sed on the stimulation of the trigeminal nerve endings (LTH) of 100 mg/m3 (40 ppm) have been set.Studies in volunteers have shown that acetic acid in a concentration of 25 mg/m[sup]3[/sup] (10 ppm) does not cause any changes in the studied parameters. Only subjective feelings of acid odor perception have been reported. The effects of exposure in volunteers indicating sensory irritation of the trigeminal nerve, such as eye irritation, did not differ significantly at this concentration from the effects in a control group that was exposed to a vapor of acetic acid odor sensing threshold level, i.e. 1.5 mg/m[sup]3[/sup] (0.6 ppm). Acetic acid concentration of 25 mg/m[sup]3[/sup] (10 ppm) also had no effect on the frequency of blinking, the increase in airway resistance and concentration of the inflammatory mediators in the nasal lavage fluid.It is proposed to establish the limit values of acetic acid taken as NOAEC value of 25 mg/m[sup]3[/sup] (10 ppm) determined in tests on volunteers. After applying appropriate uncertainty factors, it was suggested to adopt the concentration of 25 mg/m[sup]3[/sup] as the maximum admissible concentration (MAC-TWA) for this compound. It has been also recommended the short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 50 mg/m[sup]3[/sup]. In addition, marking with the letter C (corrosive) is proposed.

Authors and Affiliations

Małgorzata Kupczewska-Dobecka

Keywords

kwas octowy NDS narażenie zawodowe Acetic Acid OEL MAC Occupational Exposure

EP ID EP224566
DOI -
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