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Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS)

Propionic acid

RTECS #

UE5950000

CAS #

79-09-4

Updated

September 201

Molecular Weight

74.09

Molecular Formula

C3H6O2

Synonyms

Acide propionique (French)
Carboxyethane
Ethanecarboxylic acid
Ethylformic acid
Kyselina propionova (Czech)
Luprosil
Metacetonic acid
Methyl acetic acid
Propanoic acid
Propionic acid (ACGIH)
Propionic acid grain preserver
Prozoin
Pseudoacetic acid
Sentry grain preserver
Tenox P grain preservative

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
eye /rabbit 990 µg severeUCDS** 3/24/1970
skin /rabbit 495 mg open irritation test severeUCDS** 3/24/1970

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
sister chromatid exchangelymphocyte/human2500 µmol/LMUREAV 279,75,1992

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
In Vitro/Human, liver tumor Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 45 mmol/L/24HIn Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell protein synthesisTIVIEQ 3,189,1989
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 5 ppm/4HOlfaction: Other olfaction effects

Eye: Conjunctiva irritation

Behavioral: Change in psychophysiological tests		NRTXDN 30,1223,2009
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): >4900 mg/m3/4HHPV287 -,-,2002
intravenous/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 625 mg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure thresholdAPTOA6 18,141,1961
intravenous/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 1320 mg/kgFAONAU 53A,110,1974
oral/mammal (species unspecified) lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1640 mg/kgGISAAA 39(4),86,1974
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2600 mg/kgHPV287 -,-,2002
parenteral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3500 mg/kgDEVEAA 26,5,1972
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 500 mg/kgHPV287 -,-,2002
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 500 µL/kgAIHAAP 23,95,1962
unreported route/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1370 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Excitement

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea		GISAAA 35(3),96,1970
unreported route/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1900 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Excitement

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea		GISAAA 35(3),96,1970
unreported route/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1510 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Excitement

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea		GISAAA 35(3),96,1970

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 23 mg/m3/24H/30D- continuousBrain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS

Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: True cholinesterase		GISAAA 47(4),10,1982
oral/Dog lowest published toxic dose: 185940 mg/kg/90D- continuousBehavioral: Food intake (animal)

Gastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of esophagus

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes in urine composition		FEREAC 68,1575,2003
oral/hamster lowest published toxic dose: 42 gm/kg/7D- continuousGastrointestinal: Other changesFCTOD7 29,367,1991
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 33600 mg/kg/7D- continuousGastrointestinal: Other changesFCTOD7 29,367,1991
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 14 gm/kg/7D- continuousGastrointestinal: Other changesFCTOD7 29,367,1991
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 550 gm/kg/110D- continuousGastrointestinal: Ulceration or bleeding from stomachFEREAC 68,1575,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1752 gm/kg/2Y- continuousGastrointestinal: Ulceration or bleeding from stomachFEREAC 68,1575,2003
unreported route/rat lowest published toxic dose: 4598 mg/kg/9W- intermittentBlood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Blood: Other changes		GISAAA 35(3),96,1970

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 10 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAMIHAB 21,100,1960

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1988 PESTICIDE SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION OR RE-REGISTRATIONFEREAC 54,7740,1989
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 10 ppm (30 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 10 ppm (31 mg/m3);KZW 20 ppm (62 mg/m3), 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 10 ppm (31 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 20 ppm (62 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 10 ppm (30 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-ECtime-weighted average 31 mg/m3 (10 ppm);short term exposure limit 62 mg/m3 (20 ppm), JUN2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 10 ppm (31 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 20 ppm (61 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 10 ppm (31 mg/m3), VLE 20 ppm (62 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 10 ppm (31 mg/m3), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 31 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 62 mg/m3, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 10 ppm (31 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 20 ppm (62 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 10 ppm (30 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 15 ppm (60 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 10 ppm (30 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 10 ppm (30 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 20 ppm (60 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAshort term exposure limit 20 mg/m3, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 10 ppm (30 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 15 ppm (45 mg/m3), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 10 ppm (30 mg/m3), KZG-week 20 ppm (60 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 31 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 10 ppm (31 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 15 ppm (46 mg/m3), OCT2007

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO PROPIONIC ACID-air10H time-weighted average 10 ppm;short term exposure limit 15 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 62460; Number of Industries 30; Total Number of Facilities 1411; Number of Occupations 42; Total Number of Employees Exposed 31092; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 8489
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 62460; Number of Industries 9; Total Number of Facilities 429; Number of Occupations 19; Total Number of Employees Exposed 8081

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA Section 8(e) Risk Notification, 8EHQ-0892-9234
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
On EPA IRIS database

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