Chloroacetic acid

Synonyms

Monochloroacetic acid; Acetic acid, chloro-; Acide chloracetique [French]; Acide chloracetique [ISO-French]; Acide chloroacetique [French]; Acide monochloracetique [French]; Acidomonocloroacetico [Italian]; Chloracetic acid; Chloroacetic acid; Chloroethanoic acid; Kyselina chloroctova [Czech]; MCA; Monochloorazijnzuur [Dutch]; Monochloracetic acid; Monochloressigsaeure [German]; Monochloroacetic acid; Monochloroethanoic acid; Acetic acid, 2-chloro-; Acetic acid, chloro-; [ChemIDplus] MCA; [AIHA] UN1750; UN1751; UN3250;

Category

Organic Acids

Description

Colorless, white, or light-brown crystals with a vinegar-like odor; [HSDB]

Sources/Uses

Used as a herbicide, preservative, bacteriostat, and chemical intermediate; [HSDB]

Comments

Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Inhalation of aerosol can cause lung edema; May be toxic to the heart, kidneys, and CNS; [ICSC] A severe skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Liquid can burn skin and eyes; [CAMEO] Several accidents have been described; Molten MCA causes severe burns; it is absorbed through the skin; Signs of poisoning include metabolic acidosis, cardiac arrhythmias, disorientation, coma, rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, and cerebral edema; [AIHA]

Biomedical References

Yes

0.5 ppm, inhalable fraction and vapor

0.5 ppm

0.065 mm Hg

0.045 ppm

Odor Threshold High

6.14 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 180 mg/m3

Explanatory Notes

Melting point = 50-63 degrees C; [HSDB] Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; Flash point = 126 deg C; VP from HSDB;

must be preheated

0.5 ppm

Other CNS neurotoxin

Skin burns

Not Classifiable

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)