© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Product Name: Formic Acid
Chemical Formula: CH2O2
Other Names: Methanoic Acid
CAS Number: 64-18-6
Recommended Use: Used in agriculture as a preservative and antibacterial agent, in leather production, textile dyeing and finishing, and in chemical syntheses.
Supplier Identification: Check the packaging for distributor and importer information, emergency telephone contact, and address details.
Classification: Corrosive to skin, Serious eye damage, Harmful if inhaled or swallowed
GHS Label Elements: Pictograms for corrosivity and acute toxicity, Signal word “Danger”
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and serious eye damage, May cause respiratory irritation, Harmful if swallowed, Causes burns to mucous membranes
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing fumes, wear protective equipment, wash hands thoroughly after handling, keep away from incompatible materials such as oxidizers and strong bases
Acute Effects: Burns, irritation, nausea and headache in poorly ventilated areas
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure may damage kidneys or other organs
Other Hazards: Intense fumes can aggravate preexisting respiratory conditions; spills can produce strong, irritating odor
Chemical: Formic Acid
Concentration: Typically 85-99% in commercial solutions
Impurities/Stabilizers: Trace water, possible residues from manufacturing (usually less than 1-2%)
Synonyms: Methanoic Acid
EC Number: 200-579-1
Molecular Weight: 46.03 g/mol
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing immediately, rinse skin with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes, seek medical attention for burns
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes; remove contact lenses if easy; continue rinsing and seek immediate medical help
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest, administer oxygen if breathing is difficult, call a doctor
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, never induce vomiting, drink water if conscious, seek immediate medical attention.
Delays: Effects may be delayed, so prompt medical evaluation is critical
Note for Medical Staff: Treat burns as thermal injury; monitor for metabolic acidosis after significant exposure
Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Do not use direct water jets.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating smokes, or toxic fumes possible.
Special Hazards: Forms explosive mixtures with air above 69°C; containers exposed to fire may rupture; run-off may cause environmental harm.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear full protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus, chemical-resistant boots, gloves, and fire coat; avoid direct contact with runoff water.
Further Information: Isolate area, remove containers if safe, use water spray to cool exposed containers, prevent spillage from entering drains.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate, wear respirator and full chemical protection suit, avoid skin and eye contact.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from entering surface water, drains, soil, or subsoil. Notify authorities if large release threatens local water or land.
Methods for Cleaning: Neutralize with sodium carbonate or lime, absorb with inert material (sand, earth), shovel into appropriate containers for disposal. Wash spill site with large quantities of water.
Decontamination: Ventilate area and wash hands and exposed skin after cleanup; properly label waste.
Handling: Use only in a chemical fume hood or well-ventilated area, avoid formation of vapors or mists, always wear acid-resistant gloves and apron.
Precautions: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, or clothing; never add acid to water; prevent formation of mists or aerosols.
Storage: Keep tightly closed in original acid-resistant containers, store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and incompatible substances; segregate from alkalis, strong oxidizers, and reducing agents.
Other Considerations: Clearly label storage areas and containers; keep emergency eyewash and shower stations nearby; inspect containers regularly for leaks or damage.
Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 5 ppm, OSHA PEL: 5 ppm (TWA)
Engineering Controls: Chemical fume hood, local exhaust ventilation, eyewash station, safety shower
Personal Protection: Acid-resistant gloves (butyl, nitrile), splash goggles and face shield, full-length protective clothing, chemical-resistant boots
Respiratory Protection: Use an approved air-purifying respirator with acid gas cartridge if exposures approach or exceed occupational limits or if cleaning large spills
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking, immediately remove contaminated clothing and wash after use
Work Practices: Avoid splashes or spills, keep containers closed, do not eat or drink near chemical
Appearance: Colorless, clear, fuming liquid
Odor: Pungent, strong, irritating
Odor Threshold: Low, easily detectable
pH: Approximately 2.2 for 1M solution
Melting Point: 8.3°C (46.9°F)
Boiling Point: 100.8°C (213.4°F)
Flash Point: 68°C (closed cup, 154°F)
Evaporation Rate: Not readily available; forms vapor above room temperature
Flammability: Flammable at higher temperatures
Upper/Lower Flammability Limits: 18%/18.6% (v/v in air)
Vapor Pressure: 43 mm Hg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 1.59 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 1.22 at 20°C
Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohols, and other polar solvents
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): -0.54
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 485°C (905°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Above 200°C
Viscosity: 1.57 mPa·s
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, degrades upon prolonged exposure to heat and light
Reactivity: Reacts vigorously with strong oxidizers, bases, reducing agents, alkali metals
Hazardous Reactions: May form explosive gas mixtures with air if heated, decomposes to carbon monoxide and water above 200°C
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sparks, open flames, incompatible materials, direct sunlight, moisture
Incompatible Materials: Alkali metals, strong bases, strong oxidizers, concentrated sulfuric acid
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen gas in rare situations
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: LD50 Oral (rat): 730 mg/kg, LD50 Dermal (rabbit): 640 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe burns and pain
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes severe irritation, possible permanent injury
Respiratory Toxicity: Inhalation causes sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath, high exposures can cause life-threatening swelling of airways
Ingestion Hazards: Severe internal burns, abdominal pain, vomiting, organ damage, potential fatality
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure causes kidney damage, skin disorders, allergic reactions
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or OSHA
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: No definitive evidence from available studies
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms, fish LC50 (96 hours): 130 mg/L; water flea EC50 (48 hours): 34 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in water and soil; breakdown occurs within days under aerobic conditions
Bioaccumulation Potential: Unlikely due to high water solubility and rapid degradation (log Kow -0.54)
Mobility in Soil: Moves easily through soil and reaches groundwater if released
Other Adverse Effects: Large spills cause local pH drops in water bodies and disrupt aquatic ecosystems; can kill beneficial aquatic organisms
Methods of Disposal: Dispose of as hazardous waste in accordance with all local, state, national, and international laws and regulations; consult approved chemical disposal service
Packaging Disposal: Completely empty containers before recycling, puncture or crush if regulations allow, label residual hazards
Special Precautions: Do not discard down drains, toilets, or watercourses; do not allow contact with incompatible waste streams
Waste Codes: U123 (US EPA hazardous waste designation for formic acid)
Physical/Chemical Properties Affecting Disposal: Corrosivity and low pH may require neutralization prior to treatment
UN Number: 1779
UN Proper Shipping Name: Formic Acid
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive), 3 (Flammable Liquid)
Packing Group: II
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant
Special Precautions for Users: Keep containers upright and secure to prevent leakage; emergency procedures in place for accidental exposure or spillage
Regulatory Transport Codes: IMDG, IATA, ADR/RID compliant; ensure container labeling and shipping paperwork matches local laws
Additional Info: Must travel in corrosion-resistant packaging, avoid proximity to oxidizers on transport vehicles
US Federal Regulations: Listed on TSCA Inventory, SARA 302 and SARA 313 reporting required above threshold amounts
EU REGULATIONS: Classified according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, REACH registration available, significant restrictions on use for direct consumer applications
Other International Regulations: Canada DSL/NDSL listed, Australia AICS listed, Japan ENCS listed
Label Requirements: GHS hazard and precautionary statements on all primary and secondary containers
Workplace Regulations: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requirement for clear labeling, accessible SDS, employee training
Environmental Laws: Local waterway protection; accidental releases must be reported to environmental authorities
