Chemical Sampling Information
	Butyric acid
Quick Links General Description 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: Butanic acid; n-Butanoic Acid; Ethylacetic Acid; 1-Propanecarboxylic acid; Propylformic Acid OSHA IMIS Code Number: B709 Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 107-92-6 NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: ES5425000 Chemical Description and Physical Properties: colorless oily liquid, with characteristic odor molecular formula: C4H8O2 molecular weight: 88.12 boiling point: 164°C flash point: 72°C closed cup melting point: -7.9°C vapor pressure: 57 Pa at 20°C Health Factors Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, throat; skin redness, pain, burns, blisters (from contact with liquid); cough, shortness of breath, labored breathing; eye redness, pain, burns, loss of vision (from liquid); INGES. ACUTE: Burning sensation, abdominal pain; 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 butyric acid. Explosive vapor/air mixtures of butyric acid may be formed at temperatures above 72°C. Butyric acid is listed by the FDA as a synthetic flavoring substance that is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for its intended use (21 CFR 182.60). NIOSH reported butyric acid to be among the prominent volatile organic compounds (VOC) found in a commercial paste form of butter flavoring when heated to 50°C. VOC from butter flavorings have been causally implicated in occupational lung disease, including bronchiolitis obliterans (see also Diacetyl). However, no information was found regarding the health effects of chronic low-level inhalational exposure to butyric acid. Butyric acid is a potent uncompetitive inhibitor of human diacetyl reductase (IC50, 64 µM), a ubiquitous enzyme that has the capability of detoxifying diacetyl. Date Last Revised: 05/02/2007 Literature Basis: International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Butyric acid. Boylstein, R., Piacitelli, C., Grote, A., Kanwal, R., Kullman, G. and Kreiss, K.: Diacetyl emissions and airborne dust from butter flavorings used in microwave popcorn production. J. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 3(10): 530-535, 2006. Nakagawa, J., et al.: Molecular characterization of mammalian dicarbonyl/L-xylulose reductase and its localization in kidney. J. Biol. Chem. 277(20): 17883-17891, 2002. Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Butyric Acid. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 429-431. Monitoring Methods used by OSHA Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method: sampling media: Silica Gel Tube (520/260 mg sections; 20/40 mesh) analytical solvent: (1:99) Formic Acid:Water maximum volume: 18 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min. current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID method reference: OSHA SLTC In-House File method classification: Not Validated article: Gilland, James C.; Johnson, Gary T.; McGee, William A. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal Vol 42, 8, 630-2. All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.