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Formic acid, methyl ester

RTECS #
LQ8925000
CAS #
107-31-3
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2013
Molecular Weight
60.06
Molecular Formula
C2H4O2
Synonyms
Formiate de methyle (French)
Methyl formate
Methyl formate (ACGIH:OSHA)
Methyl methanoate
Methyle (formiate de) (French)
Methylester kyseliny mravenci (Czech)
Methylformiaat (Dutch)
Methylformiat (German)
Metil (formiato di) (Italian)
Mravencan methylnaty (Czech)

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 100 ppm/6HBehavioral: HeadacheHPV246 -,-,2001
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 5200 mg/m3/4HNTIS** OTS0556791
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): >21000 mg/m3/4HEye: Lacrimation

Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)
HPV246 -,-,2001
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 675 mg/kgNTIS** OTS0556689
oral/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1600 mg/kgHPV246 -,-,2001
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1500 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Gastrointestinal: Ulceration or bleeding from stomach
HPV246 -,-,2001
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 475 mg/kgNTIS** OTS0556689
skin/guinea pig lethal dose (50 percent kill): >20 mL/kgNTIS** OTS0556689
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): >5 gm/kgNTIS** OTS0556797
skin/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): >4 gm/kgNTIS** OTS0556791
skin/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): >4000 mL/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)HPV246 -,-,2001

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 100 ppm;short term exposure limit 150 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAMIHAB 20,517,1959

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m3)DTLVS* 3,165,1971
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 100 ppm (246 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 150 ppm (368 mg/m3), , JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 50 ppm (120 mg/m3);KZW 50 ppm (120 mg/m3), skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 100 ppm(250 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 150 ppm(373 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 50 ppm (123 mg/m3), skin, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 50 ppm (125 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 150 ppm (370 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 100 ppm (250 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 50 ppm (120 mg/m3), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 50 ppm (123 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 150 ppm (375 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 150 ppm (375 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 100 ppm (246 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 150 ppm (368 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 100 ppm (266 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 150 ppm (399 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 150 ppm (350 mg/m3), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 50 ppm (125 mg/m3), KZG-week 200 ppm (500 mg/m3), skin, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 250 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO METHYL FORMATE-air10H time-weighted average 100 ppm;short term exposure limit 150 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 33850; Number of Industries 6; Total Number of Facilities 80; Number of Occupations 22; Total Number of Employees Exposed 7738; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 1402

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018