| GHS classification | This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 97.1% (2698 of 2778) of all reports.Not ClassifiedAggregated GHS information provided per 2778 reports by companies from 10 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. |
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| Regulatory information | Chemical: Formic acid, sodium saltRegulation (EC) No 1831/2003 (amended)Formic acid, sodium salt (1:1) is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Formic acid, sodium salt (1:1) are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)Status: Active Update: 25-05-2022 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/14849Sodium formate: Non hazardous |
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| Other safety information | IMAP assessments - Formic acid, sodium salt: Environment tier I assessment |
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| Fire hazards | Combustible under specific conditions. Finely dispersed particles form explosive mixtures in air. |
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| Fire potential | FIRE HAZARD: SLIGHT. |
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| Hazards summary | After ingestion of 3-4 gm/day, albuminuria and hematuria may occurAlso may cause cardiac depression and methemoglobinemia at high doses[HSDB] Decomposed by heating forming carbon monoxide and hydrogenAn eye and respiratory tract irritant[ICSC] High concentrations may cause respiratory tract irritationSolutions may cause skin and eye irritation[CHEMINFO] An irritant[MSDSonline] |
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| EPA Safer Chemical | Chemical: Sodium formate |
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| Chemical Dangers | Decomposes on heating. This produces carbon monoxide (see ICSC 0023) and hydrogen (see ICSC 0001). This generates fire and explosion hazard. Decomposes on contact with acids. This produces formic acid vapours (see ICSC 0485). |
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| Physical Dangers | Dust explosion possible if in powder or granular form, mixed with air. |
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| Hazard Classes and Categories | Not Classified |
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| CSL Reaction Information | CSL00194Nitrous oxide + Nitric oxide + Sodium + Hydrogen + Sodium formate + Toluene"A safety letter from Merck & Co. chemists titled “Nitric Oxide at High Pressure” (C&EN, Jan. 30, page 6) described two explosions during depressurization of a reaction between NO and methanol under basic conditions. The products in a model system with sodium methoxide were described as nitrous oxide and formic acid, presumably as sodium formate. A potential danger in this system should be pointed out: Sodium formate undergoes thermal decomposition to give hydrogen gas (J. Am. Chem. Soc.,DOI: 10.1021/ja02245a004), which explodes spontaneously in the presence of nitrous oxide above critical limits (J. Am. Chem. Soc., DOI: 10.1021/ja01179a036), even in the absence of a catalyst or source of ignition. The presence of hydrogen and nitrous oxide above a reaction mixture was undoubtedly the cause of an explosion and fire in my laboratory in 1981 during workup of a reaction between sodium and nitric oxide. The major product of the reaction is cis-sodium hyponitrite, which decomposes immediately in water to form sodium hydroxide and nitrous oxide. The employee, a biology major who was badly burned, had carried out the reaction a number of times without incident. This time he tried twice and failed to disperse about 30 g of sodium in toluene and, without consulting me, decided to continue the reaction. The explosion occurred as he was attempting to destroy the unreacted sodium, a lump too large to remove from the flask, by dropwise addition of water. Most of the sodium had reacted at the time of the explosion, and there was no indication of mechanical failure. At the time, I was unaware of the extreme incompatibility of the two gases, and the accident was extremely puzzling. The reaction mixture was close to room temperature and was stirred rapidly while the headspace was flushed with a stream of nitrogen. When I arrived at the laboratory a few minutes after the accident, nitrogen was still flowing from the burned-off end of the plastic tubing. Since that time, I noticed a reference to the “hydrogen explosion” in the ancient chemical literature as a way to identify nitrous oxide." (reprint of the full-text)ExplosiveMedium (up to 100g)10.1021/cen-09013-letters |
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| Fire fighting | In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. |
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| First aid measures | Fresh air, rest.Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.Rinse mouth. |
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| Safe storage | Separated from strong acids. Dry. Well closed. |
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| Spillage disposal | Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. Wash away remainder with plenty of water. |
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| Eye Prevention | Wear safety goggles. |
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| Inhalation Risk | Evaporation at 20 °C is negligiblea nuisance-causing concentration of airborne particles can, however, be reached quickly. |
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| Skin Prevention | Protective gloves. |
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| Exposure Prevention | PREVENT DISPERSION OF DUST! |
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| Ingestion Prevention | Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work. |
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| Inhalation Prevention | Use ventilation, local exhaust or breathing protection. |
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| Effects of Short Term Exposure | The substance is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. |
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| Protective Action Criteria (PAC) | 3.0 [mg/m3]25 [mg/m3]250 [mg/m3] |
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| Adverse effects | Methemoglobinemia - The presence of increased methemoglobin in the bloodthe compound is classified as secondary toxic effect |
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| Exposure routes | The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol. |
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| Toxicity summary | The CIR Expert Panel concluded that formic acid and sodium formate are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics, as described in this safety assessment, when formulated to be non-irritating.Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications |
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| Signs and Symptoms | Cough. Sore throat.Redness. Pain. |
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| Human Toxicity Excerpts | ...APPEARS TO HAVE A LOW TOXICITY (10 G BY MOUTH WITHOUT ILL EFFECTS IN MAN). |
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| Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts | FORMATE ION IS EXTENSIVELY OXIDIZED IN VIVO, BUT IT MAY HAVE DIRECT ACTIONS ON BRAIN (CAUSE OF CONVULSIONS IN POISONED ANIMALS?).FORMATE, USUALLY AS SODIUM FORMATE, HAS BEEN FED TO VARIOUS ANIMALS & ADMIN PARENTERALLY WITHOUT OCULAR DISTURBANCE.FORMATE IS...INHIBITOR OF CERTAIN ENZYMES, EG, CATALASE, & HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED FOR POTENTIAL INJURIOUSNESS TO RETINA & OPTIC NERVE. HOWEVER, NO EVIDENCE HAS BEEN OBTAINED OF SUCH RETINAL TOXICITY IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS, & 0.02 MOLAR FORMATE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND TO AFFECT METAB OF RETINA IN VITRO. /FORMATE/ |
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| Antidote and Emergency Treatment | FORMATES CAN BE METABOLIZED TO FORMIC ACID, HENCE TREATMENT AS FOR METHANOL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. |
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