Safety data sheet MERCK

According to EC Directive 91/155/EEC

11.2000 from CD-ROM 2000/3 Date of issue: 01.02.2000 Supersedes edition of 17.10.1997

1. Identification of the substance/preparation and of the company/undertaking

Identification of the product

Catalogue No.: 100264

Product name: Formic acid 98-100% GR for analysis ACS

Manufacturer/supplier identification
Company:
Emergency telephone No.:
CK
Merck KGaA * 64271 Darmstadt * Germany * Tel: +49 6151 72-2440
Please contact the regional Merck representation
in your country.

2. Composition/information on ingredients
Synonyms
Methanoic acid
CAS-No.: 64-18-6 EC-Index-No.: 607-001-00-0
M: 46.03 g/mol EC-No.: 200-579-1
Molecular formula: CH2O2
(Hill)
Molecular formula: HCOOH
(struc.)
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3. Hazards identification
Causes severe burns.

4. First aid measures

First-aid personnel: ensure self-protection!
After inhalation: fresh air. Summon doctor.
After skin contact: wash off with plenty of water. Dab with polyethylene glycol 400.
Immediately remove contaminated clothing.
After eye contact: rinse out with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes with the eyelid
held wide open. Immediately summon eye specialist.
After swallowing: make victim drink plenty of water (if necessary several litres), avoid
vomiting (risk of perforation!). Immediately summon doctor. Do not attempt to neutralize.

5. Fire-fighting measures
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Suitable extinguishing media:

CO2, foam, powder.
Special risks:
Combustible. Vapours heavier than air. Formation of hazardous combustion gases or vapours
possible in event of fire. Formation of explosive mixtures possible with air. Hydrogen may form upon
contact with metals (danger of explosion!).
Special protective equipment for fire fighting:
Do not stay in dangerous zone without suitable chemical protection clothing and self-contained
breathing apparatus.

Other information:
Contain escaping vapours with water. Cool containers with water. Prevent fire-fighting water from
entering surface water or groundwater.

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 Merck Safety Data Sheet 11.2000 from CD-ROM 2000/3 According to EC Directive
91/155/EEC
Catalogue No.: 100264
Product name: Formic acid 98-100% GR for analysis ACS

6. Accidental release measures

Person-related precautionary measures:
Do not inhale vapours/aerosols. Avoid substance contact. Ensure supply of fresh air in enclosed

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rooms.

Environmental-protection measures:
Do not allow to enter sewerage system.

Procedures for cleaning / absorption:

Take up with liquid-absorbent material (e.g. Chemizorb ). Forward for disposal. Clean up affected
area.

Additional notes:
Render harmless: neutralize with sodium bicarbonate or diluted sodium hydroxide solution.

7. Handling and storage

Handling:
On storage, the effect of the acid on the container material may produce a slight increase in
nonvolatile components. May be under pressure. Sensitive to light. Limited shelf life.

Storage:
Tightly closed. Dry. In a well-ventilated place. Protected from light. Keep away from sources of
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ignition and heat. At +15˚C to +25˚C.
May decompose forming gaseous products, especially when stored over long periods.

8. Exposure controls/personal protection

Specific control parameter
German regulations
MAK Germany (max. workplace conc.)
Name Formic acid
Value 5 ml/m3
9.5 mg/m3
Peak limit I local irritating substance
Embryotoxic cat. C no risk expected by maintaining TLV
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 Merck Safety Data Sheet 11.2000 from CD-ROM 2000/3 According to EC Directive
91/155/EEC
Catalogue No.: 100264
Product name: Formic acid 98-100% GR for analysis ACS

Personal protective equipment:

Protective clothing should be selected specifically for the working place, depending on
concentration and quantity of the hazardous substances handled. The resistance of the

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protective clothing to chemicals should be ascertained with the respective supplier.
Respiratory protection: required when vapours/aerosols are generated. Filter B (acc. to DIN
3181) for inorganic gases and vapours
Eye protection: required
Hand protection: required
Other protective Acid-resistant protective clothing.
equipment:
Industrial hygiene:
Work under hood . Do not inhale substance. Avoid generation of vapours/aerosols. Immediately change
contaminated clothing. Apply skin- protective barrier cream. Wash hands and face after working with
substance.

Immediately change contaminated clothing. Apply skin- protective barrier cream. Wash hands and face
after working with substance.

9. Physical and chemical properties

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Form: liquid
Colour: colourless
Odour: pungent
pH value
at 10 g/l H2O (20 ˚C) 2.2
Viscosity dynamic (20 ˚C) 1.8 mPa*s
Melting point 8 ˚C (decomposition)
Boiling point 101 ˚C
Ignition temperature 480 ˚C
Flash point 48 ˚C c.c.
Explosion limits lower 12 Vol%
upper 38 Vol%
Vapour pressure (20 ˚C) 42 hPa
Relative vapour density_ 1.59
Density (20 ˚C) 1.22 g/cm3
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Solubility in
water (20 ˚C) soluble
ethanol soluble
ether soluble
log P(oct): -0.54 (experimental)
Bioconcentration factor ~ 0.22 (calculated)

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 Merck Safety Data Sheet 11.2000 from CD-ROM 2000/3 According to EC Directive
91/155/EEC
Catalogue No.: 100264
Product name: Formic acid 98-100% GR for analysis ACS

10. Stability and reactivity

Conditions to be avoided

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Heating.
Substances to be avoided
alkalis, aluminium, strong oxidizing agents, sulfuric acid, nonmetallic oxides, organic nitro
compounds, metal catalysts, phosphorus oxides, hydrogen peroxide.

Hazardous decomposition products

no information available
Further information
light-sensitive; heat-sensitive (decomposition);
Protect from direct sunlight.
Explosible with air in a vaporous/gaseous state.

11. Toxicological information

Acute toxicity
LD50 (oral, rat): 730 mg/kg;
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LC50 (inhalation, rat): 7.4 mg/l /4 h;

The literature data available to us do not conform with the labelling prescribed by the
EC. The EC has dossiers which have not been published.

Specific symptoms in animal studies:

Skin irritation test (rabbit): burns.
Effects that must be anticipated: Eye irritation test (rabbit): burns.
Subacute to chronic toxicity
An embryotoxic effect need not be feared when the threshold limit value is observed.

Noncarcinogenic in animal experiments.

No mutagenic properties suspected.
No impairment of reproductive performance in animal experiments.

Bacterial mutagenicity:
Bacillus subtilis: negative.
Salmonella typhimurium: negative.
Escherichia coli: negative.
Ames-Test: negative.
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Further toxicological information

After inhalation of vapours: Irritation symptoms in the respiratory tract. dyspnoea.
After skin contact: burns.
After eye contact: burns, conjunctivitis, Lacrimal irritation due to vapours.
After swallowing: Burns in oesophagus and stomach. burns of mucous membranes, acidosis. Damage of:
kidneys.
Further data
The product should be handled with the care usual when dealing with chemicals.

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 Merck Safety Data Sheet 11.2000 from CD-ROM 2000/3 According to EC Directive
91/155/EEC
Catalogue No.: 100264
Product name: Formic acid 98-100% GR for analysis ACS

12. Ecological information

Biologic degradation:
Biodegradation: 98 % /14 d modified OECD screening test;

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Readily biodegradable.

Behavior in environmental compartments:

Distribution: log P(oct): -0.54 (experimental);
No bioaccumulation is to be expected (log P(o/w <1).
Henry constant: 0.017 Pa*m3/mol (calculated).

Ecotoxic effects:
Biological effects:
Harmfull effect on aquatic organisms. Forms corrosive mixtures with water even if diluted. Damage of
fish and plancton. Harmful effect due to pH shift. Neutralization possible in waste water treatment
plants.
Fish toxicity: L.idus LC50: 46-100 mg/l /96 h;
Daphnia toxicity: Daphnia magna EC50: 34.2 mg/l /48 h;
Algeal toxicity: Desmodesmus subspicatus IC50: 27 mg/l /72 h;
Bacterial toxicity: Ps.putida EC50: 47 mg/l /17 h;

Further ecologic data:

When used properly, no impairments in the function of waste- water-treatment plants are to be
expected.
Do not allow to enter waters, waste water, or soil!
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13. Disposal considerations
Product:
There are no uniform EC Regulations for the disposal of chemicals or residues. Chemical
residues generally count as special waste. The disposal of the latter is regulated in the EC
member countries through corresponding laws and regulations. We recommend that you contact
either the authorities in charge or approved waste disposal companies which will advise you on how
to dispose of special waste.
Packaging:
Disposal in compliance with official regulations. Handle contaminated packaging in
the same way as the substance itself. If not officially specified differently, non-contaminated
packaging may be treated like household waste or recycled.
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 Merck Safety Data Sheet 11.2000 from CD-ROM 2000/3 According to EC Directive
91/155/EEC
Catalogue No.: 100264
Product name: Formic acid 98-100% GR for analysis ACS

14. Transport information

Land transport GGVS, GGVE, ADR, RID

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Classification 8/32b
Name 1779 AMEISENSAEURE
River transport ADN, ADNR
Classification not tested
Sea transport IMDG, GGVSee
Classification 8/UN 1779/PG II
Ems 8-05
MFAG 700
Name FORMIC ACID
Air transport ICAO, IATA
Classification 8/UN 1779/PG II
Name FORMIC ACID
The transport regulations are cited according to international regulations and in the form
applicable in Germany (GGVS/GGVE). Possible national deviations in other countries are not
considered.
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15. Regulatory information
Labelling according to EC Directives
Symbol: C Corrosive
R-phrases: 35 Causes severe burns.
S-phrases: 23-26-45 Do not breathe vapour. In case of contact with
eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and
seek medical advice. In case of accident or if you
feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show
the label where possible).
EC-No.: 200-579-1 EC label

16. Other information

Reason for alteration
Change/addition in the chapter 5.
Change in the chapter on toxicology.
Change in the chapter on ecology.
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General update.

Regional representation:
This information is given on the authorised Safety Data Sheet
for your country.

The information contained herein is based on the present state of our knowledge. It
characterizes the product with regard to the appropriate safety precautions. It does not
represent a guarantee of the properties of the product.

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