Product Name: Acetic Acid
Producer: Sinopec
CAS Number: 64-19-7
Molecular Formula: C2H4O2
Using pure Acetic Acid in chemical manufacturing gives broad flexibility, from creating vinyl acetate monomers to acetic anhydride and esters. The strong vinegar-like odor and colorless appearance make it easy to recognize in both packaging and handling. Precise identification of Acetic Acid at every stage, from receipt at our plant to blending, ensures proper segregation with oxidizers and bases, curbing unwanted reactions in the raw material warehouse, and preventing misapplication downstream. Managing quality with strict batch control supports downstream users relying on the correct concentration, and full traceability tracks any deviations back to our own production records.
Hazard Class: Corrosive Liquid
Harmful if inhaled or swallowed
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Strong acidity: pH in concentrated product approaches 2
Inhalation leads to throat and lung irritation, and concentrated contact can leave lasting burns on skin and eyes.
Working in the plant, risk grows any time a transfer or pump line leaks – concentrated acetic acid produces painful vapor, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Awareness of corrosive risk remains critical, both for operators and for anyone performing maintenance. Recognizing dangers up front shapes safety culture. We have long since replaced older piping with corrosion-resistant grades, minimizing hazards where possible and flagging every acetic transfer line for rapid response.
Component: Acetic Acid, Content: 99% minimum (by weight)
Water: Less than 1%
No significant impurities expected based on Sinopec’s tight process controls
By knowing the exact composition, we can commit to downstream applications – synthetic resin, PTA, pharmaceuticals – with customer assurance. Purer acetic acid supports final product integrity, whether a polymerization batch or a pharmaceutical input. Decades of refining our process have shrunk impurity levels, keeping metals and byproduct residue well within strict tolerances.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air at once
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with plenty of water; seek medical attention if burns develop
Eye Contact: Rinse with water continuously for at least 15 minutes and seek medical evaluation
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth if possible, take victim for immediate medical attention
Our emergency drills highlight rapid decontamination, especially eye and skin flushing; operators have learned not to delay. Onsite medical kits always carry eye wash bottles and neutralizing lotions, plus detailed instructions; seasoned staff remind newcomers of the need for immediate, decisive action if exposure occurs.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Specific Hazards: Flammable liquid and vapor, can emit hazardous fumes (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide) upon combustion
Personal Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear
During fire, dense white vapors form, especially if product is heated, making visibility and oxygen low. Our team practices regular fire simulations; we maintain Class B extinguishers where drums or bulk tanks are stored. Quick shutdown of pumps and ventilation containment limits escalation if ignition begins inside blending rooms.
Evacuate unnecessary personnel from affected area
Use proper personal protective gear – gloves, goggles, acid suits
Ventilate the space
Absorb spill with inert material such as sand or clay
Neutralize residue with dilute alkali and wash to effluent treatment plant
Leaks can result from mechanical seal or valve failures. Our maintenance logs track weak points, and we train staff to spot any acid mist or pooling at foundation joints. By setting clear roles during containment, plant teams react swiftly and prevent acid migration to nearby drains.
Store in tightly sealed, corrosion-resistant containers
Keep away from heat sources, direct sunlight, and incompatible materials (alkalis, oxidizing agents)
Use proper exhaust ventilation and minimize vapor accumulation
Provide personal protection including acid-resistant gloves, aprons, splash-proof goggles
Strict routine checks on storage vessels cut leak incidents. We verify that loading arms, gaskets, and drum closures are tight, especially before hot summers push vapor pressure higher. Segregation from incompatible chemicals, like hypochlorite or nitric acid, prevents violent reactions.
Engineering controls: Maintain local exhaust, vapor scrubbers
Personal: Wear acid-resistant gloves, safety goggles, chemical-resistant clothing, face shield
Respiratory: Use NIOSH-approved respirators where vapor concentration exceeds recommended limits
Regular air monitoring keeps exposure below short-term and eight-hour TWA limits, which in many jurisdictions sits under 10 ppm for acetic acid vapor. Getting the right fit and type of PPE cuts accidents and lets teams move confidently through transfer and blending operations.
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Pungent, vinegar-like
Boiling Point: Approximately 118°C
Melting Point: 16.6°C (solidifies in cool storage rooms)
Density: About 1.05 g/cm³
Solubility: Completely miscible with water
Vapor Pressure: 15 mmHg at 20°C
Understanding these physical details shapes how we design process lines and choose pumps. Regular sampling during storage and transport checks for off-odors or discoloration, signaling contamination before it reaches customers.
Stable under standard handling
Reacts with strong oxidizers, strong bases, active metals
Potential for violent reaction with peroxides, perchlorates, and other reactive substances
Storage temperature swings or accidental mixing with caustics can generate heat and pressure, risking ruptures. Automated tank temperature monitoring, backed by alarms, let us respond to any rising reactivity before loss control escalates. Maintenance teams know not to weld or grind near filled lines.
Inhalation leads to respiratory tract irritation, possible pulmonary edema at high concentration
Skin corrosion at concentrations over 10%
Ingestion causes severe pain, corrosive injury to mucous membranes
Long-term, repeated low-level exposure can cause brittle nails and skin cracks for those handling drums
We have seen the importance of regular job rotation and health monitoring for front-line workers, backed by access to quick skin treatment and medical consultation when exposure incidents occur.
Biodegradable in soil and water
Potential harm to aquatic life at high concentrations
No significant bioaccumulation risk
Spills to natural watercourses create pH disruptions, leaving fish and invertebrates vulnerable. As a producer, we’ve designed effluent control with neutralization before any discharge. Years of monitoring outfalls for COD, pH, and direct acetic acid content tell us that quick response keeps environmental impact brief if incident releases occur.
Neutralize with dilute sodium carbonate or lime
Diluted solutions routed to approved wastewater treatment facilities
Never landfill, dilute with large volumes of water before disposal
On-site neutralization tanks capture process wash and accidental drips. Certified waste handlers receive expired bulk material, with accompanying records for each disposal. Consulting with our local regulators every year solves problems before rules change.
UN Number: 2789 (Acetic Acid, Glacial)
Class: 8 (Corrosive), Packing Group II
Use corrosion-resistant containers
Segregate from food, feed, alkalis, and oxidizers throughout transit
Clear labelling, ventilated cargo holds, and trained logistics staff prevent most transport mishaps. Our drivers and bulk handlers review hazards for every shipment, and we repair or replace any drums or IBCs showing corrosion, even at the smallest sign.
Acetic acid classified as hazardous according to most global chemical management laws
Workplace exposures regulated by national and local agencies
Emergency planning and environmental reporting trigger at defined storage or use thresholds
Worksite signage and annual safety reviews keep all team members sharp. By building compliance into daily operations, we keep up with evolving requirements in chemical handling – both for plant safety and for buyers further down the value chain.
