Chemical Sampling Information
	Propionic acid
Quick Links General Description Exposure Limits Health Factors Monitoring Search    [use word(s)/phrase] Table of Contents By Name A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z By CAS Number General Description Synonyms: Carboxyethane; Ethanecarboxylic acid; Ethylformic acid; Metacetonic acid; Methyl acetic acid; Propanoic acid OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2168 Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 79-09-4 NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: UE5950000 Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1848 132 [27 KB, PDF] NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Propionic acid: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more Exposure Limits American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 10 ppm, 30 mg/m3 TWA National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 10 ppm, 30 mg/m3 TWA; 15 ppm, 45 mg/m3 STEL Health Factors Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, nose, throat; blurred vision, corneal burns; cough, shortness of breath, sore throat; skin blisters, burns (from contact with liquid); INGES. ACUTE: Abdominal cramps; nausea, vomiting; shock or collapse. Health Effects: Irritation-Eyes, Nose, Throat, Skin---Marked (HE14) Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system Notes: OSHA does not have a PEL for propionic acid. Explosive vapor/air mixtures of propionic acid may be formed at temperatures above 54°C. Propionic acid is listed by the FDA as a synthetic flavoring substance that is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for its intended use (21 CFR 184.1081). Normal human volunteers showed a concentration-related reduction in nose-only cumulative inhaled volume at 8.22 and 59.15 ppm propionic acid, whereas anosmic individuals showed a reduction (which was smaller) only at 59.15 ppm. This indicates a significant olfactory component of this respiratory response to nasal irritation from propionic acid. The formation of tumors in the forestomachs of rats fed propionic acid is thought to not be relevant to human health. Propionic acidemia is an inherited inborn error of metabolism due to the deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase, and no occupationally related cases have been reported. Date Last Revised: 02/27/2007 Literature Basis: NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Propionic acid. International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Propionic acid. Harrison, P.T.: Propionic acid and the phenomenon of rodent forestomach tumorigenesis: a review. Food Chem. Toxicol. 30(4): 333-340, 1992. Henschel, R., Agathos, M. and Breit, R.: Acute irritant contact dermatitis from propionic acid used in animal feed preservation. Contact Dermatitis 40(6): 328, 1999. Lehnert, W., Sperl, W., Suormala, T. and Baumgartner, E.R.: Propionic academia: clinical, biochemical and therapeutic aspects. Experience in 30 patients. Eur. J. Pediatr. 153(7 Suppl. 1): S-68-S80. Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Propionic Acid. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1955-1957. Walker, J.C., Kendal-Reed, M., Hall, S.B., Morgan, W.T., Polyakov, V.V. and Lutz, R.W.: Human responses to propionic acid. II. Quantification of breathing responses and their relationship to perception. Chem. Senses 26(4): 351-358, 2001. Monitoring Methods used by OSHA Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method: sampling media: Silica Gel Tube (520/260 mesh) analytical solvent: (50:50) Acetone:Water alternate analytical solvent: 0.0015 M Borate Buffer for IC analysis maximum volume: 18 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID alternate analytical method: Ion Chromatography; IC/Conductivity method reference: OSHA SLTC In-House File method classification: Partially Validated note: All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.