Formic acid, manufacture of, by-products from

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

General information:

Begin first-aid measures immediately!

In case of unconsciousness place patient stably in side position for transportation.

Apply artificial respiration if necessary.

First aid personnel should pay attention to their own safety.

Emergency shower and eye wash facilities must exist on work place.

· After inhalation:

Move to fresh air.

In case of unconsciousness place patient stably in side position for transportation.

Seek immediate medical advice.

· After skin contact:

Important! Immediately flush skin with water and rinse skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.

Use lukewarm water if possible. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical attention

immediately.

Cover wound with a sterile dressing.

Immediate medical treatment necessary. Failure to treat burns can prevent wounds from healing.

· After eye contact:

Important! Immediately rinse cautiously with tempered water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact

lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Get medical attention.

Always obtain medical advice immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Risk of permanent eye damage.

· After swallowing:

Rinse mouth then drink plenty of water.

Do not induce vomiting; call for medical help immediately.

· Information for doctor:

· Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed

No further relevant information available.

· Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed

No further relevant information available.

Fire-fighting measures

· Extinguishing media

· Suitable extinguishing agents:

CO2, powder or water spray. Fight larger fires with water spray or alcohol resistant foam.

· For safety reasons unsuitable extinguishing agents: Water with full jet

· Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture

In case of fire, the following can be released:

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

· Advice for firefighters

· Protective equipment:

Respiratory protective device.

Wear fully protective suit.

· Additional information Cool endangered receptacles with water spray.

Accidental release measures

· Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures

Wear full protective clothing and self contained breathing apparatus.

Keep unprotected persons away.

· Environmental precautions:

Do not allow to enter sewers/ surface or ground water.

Inform respective authorities in case of seepage into water course or sewage system.

· Methods and material for containment and cleaning up:

Ensure adequate ventilation.

Small spill:

Dilute with plenty water.

Absorb with liquid-binding material (sand, diatomite, acid binders, universal binders).

Large spill:

Contact the rescue service.

Handling and storage

· Precautions for safe handling

Ensure good ventilation/exhaustion at the workplace.

If possible, use only in closed system.

Before handling, investigate the hazards and risk of using this product at your work place.

· Information about fire - and explosion protection:

Protect from heat.

Fumes can combine with air to form an explosive mixture.

Keep ignition sources away - Do not smoke.

· Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities

Store segregated from:

- acids.

- bases.

· Storage:

· Requirements to be met by storerooms and receptacles:

Store in a cool location.

Store only in the original receptacle.

Prevent any seepage into the ground.

· Further information about storage conditions:

Store in a cool place. Heat will increase pressure and may lead to the receptacle bursting.

· Specific end use(s) No further relevant information available.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

3412 FORMIC ACID, mixture

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

FORMIC ACID, mixture

Chemical name:

formic acid

Language:

English

Labels:

8

SpecialProvisions

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

Not applicable.

Shipping

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

Not applicable.

Shipping

Remarks

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

3412

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

FORMIC ACID, mixture

Chemical name:

formic acid

Labels:

8

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

1. Technical protection measures

Keep personal exposure levels below Derived No Effect Level (DNEL) and national exposure limit values (if existing) with suffient air ventilation.

2. Organisational protection measures

Investigate the hazard of using this material at this specific workplace before handling.

3. Hand protection

Wear protective gloves. Suitable materials also with prolonged, direct contact (protective index 6, corresponding > 480 minutes of permeation time according to EN 374):

Chloroprene rubber, CR

Recommended thickness of the material: >0.55 mm

Butyl rubber, BR

Recommended thickness of the material: >0.8 mm

4. Feet protection/Body protectionBody protection must be chosen depending on activity and possible exposure, e.g. apron, protecting boots, chemical-protection suit (according to EN 14605 in case of splashes).

5. Eye protection

Wear tightly sealed goggles

6. Respiratory protection

Suitable respiratory protection for lower concentrations or short-term exposure:

Gas filter for gases/vapours of organic compounds (boiling point >65°C, e. g. EN 14387 Type A)

Suitable respiratory protection for higher concentrations or long-term exposure:

Self-contained breathing apparatus.

Stability and reactivity

· Reactivity

There exists no specific test data for this product. For further information, see the subsequent

subsections of this chapter.

· Chemical stability The product is stable under normal conditions of use and storage.

· Possibility of hazardous reactions

Violent reactions with strong alkalis and oxidizing agents.

Reacts with metals forming hydrogen.

· Conditions to avoid Direct sunlight and heat.

· Incompatible materials:

Formic acid may react with alkalies and oxidizing materials such as peroxides, nitric acid, and chromic

acid. It is also incompatible with concentrated sulphuric acid, nitromethane, finely powdered metals,

permanganates, strong bases and oxidizing agents.

· Hazardous decomposition products: Carbon monoxide

Disposal considerations

· Waste treatment methods

· Recommendation

The product is classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of as such.

Incinerate at a licensed installation.

· Uncleaned packaging:

Thoroughly emptied and clean packaging may be recycled.

Contaminated packaging materials must be disposed of in the same manner as the product.

· Recommended cleansing agents: Water, if necessary together with cleansing agents.