Acetic acid |
![]() Last updated: 12/01/2021 |
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(Also known as: acetyl hydroxide; ethylic acid; methanecarboxylic acid; glacial acetic acid; vinegar) |
SUMMARY |
Acetic acid is a multi-use chemical with application in agriculture as a totsl herbicide.It is not persistent in either soil or water and has a low to medium oral toxicity to most biodversity. However, it is highly corrosive and so may damage anything it comes in contact with. |
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Used to control a wide variety of annual and perennial broad-leaved weeds and grasses on non-cropped areas. May also be pesticide transformation product. | |
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Foxtails; Lambsquarters; Pigweed; Velvetleaf; Canada thistle | |
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Non-cropped areas; Hard surfaces including walkways, pavements | |
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Current | |
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UK regulatory status |
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Approved | ||
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31/08/2025 | ||
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None |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Approved | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Austria/Netherlands | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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31/08/2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Also used in |
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Chemical structure |
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None | |
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CH₃COOH | |
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CC(=O)O | |
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No data | |
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QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N | |
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InChI=1S/C2H4O2/c1-2(3)4/h1H3,(H,3,4) | |
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Yes |
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Common Name | Relationship | Link |
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acetic acid | - | ![]() |
General status |
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Herbicide, Metabolite | |
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Soil, Plant, Animal | |
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Unclassified | |
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980 g/Kg | |
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EU dossier - None declared | |
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Synthetic | |
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Broad-spectrum, contact action, effect arises from the corrosive nature of the substance | |
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64-19-7 | |
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200-580-7 | |
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None allocated | |
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044001 | |
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176 | |
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60.05 | |
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ethanoic acid | |
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Acetic acid | |
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EC 2232/96 Annex 1 registered as food flavouring agent | |
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Not applicable | |
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Not applicable | |
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Not applicable | |
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Not applicable | |
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Colourless liquid or crystals |
Formulations |
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Usually supplied as a soluble concentrate that is mixed with water and used as a spray. |
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1050000 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
High | ||||||||
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>200000 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Toluene5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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>200000 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Isopropanol5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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>200000 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Ethyl acetate5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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>200000 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Acetone5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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16.7 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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118 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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No decomposition below boiling point | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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39 | P3 P = Other governments and regulators (closed cup)3 = Unverified data of known source |
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1.23 X 1000 | Calculated | - | |||||||
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0.09 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Low | ||||||||
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1.0492 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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4.75 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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Weak acid, 25DegC | |||||||||||
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1.57 X 1006 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Highly volatile | ||||||||
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9.3 X 10-02 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Non-volatile | ||||||||
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Does not absorb light with wavelengths >290nm | CA3 CA = Medical and toxicological databases and information systems e.g. TOXNET (click here ) 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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27.5 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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Degradation |
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1.2 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Non-persistent | |||||||
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0.95 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Non-persistent | ||||||||
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3.2 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Non-persistent | ||||||||
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EU dossier states DT₅₀ range 0.7-1.23 days, DT₉₀ range 2.5-4.1 days; Other literature study reports DT₅₀ 24 mins (R3). | ||||||||||
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1.2 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderately fast |
Soil adsorption and mobility |
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- | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Very mobile | |||||||
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0 | ||||||||||
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EU dossier Koc = 0; Other literature Koc values of 6.5 to 228 ml/g quoted | ||||||||||
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No |
Fate indices |
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-0.13 | Calculated | Low leachability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2.33 X 10-03 | Calculated | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Low | Calculated | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Very mobile | Calculated | - |
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3.2 | CA3 CA = Medical and toxicological databases and information systems e.g. TOXNET (click here ) 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low potential | |||||||
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Not available | - | |||||||||
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3530 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Rat5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Low | ||||||||
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45.0 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Oncorhynchus mykiss5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderate | ||||||||
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31.5 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Daphnia magna5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderate | ||||||||
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37.9 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Daphnia magna5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Low | ||||||||
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16.0 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Lemna gibba biomass5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Low | ||||||||
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32.7 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Sinapis alba5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes Vegetative vigour, ER₅₀ as L/ha |
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5.8 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata biomass5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderate | ||||||||
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> 1000 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Eisenia foetida5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Low | ||||||||
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831 | mL product ha⁻¹ (Natural Weed Spray #1: Conc 240 g l⁻¹) A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Typhlodromus pyri5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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1124 | mL product ha⁻¹ (Natural Weed Spray #1: Conc 240 g l⁻¹) A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Aphidius rhopalosiphi5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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Nitrogen mineralisation: No significant adverse effect Carbon mineralisation: No significant adverse effect |
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes Dose: 750 kg ha⁻¹ 28 days |
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General |
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Low (class I) | - | - | ||||||||
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3530 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Rat5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Low | ||||||||
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1060 | P3 P = Other governments and regulators Rabbit3 = Unverified data of known source |
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40.0 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Rat 4 hr5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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None allocated | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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None allocated | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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1.0 | A3 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Humans as mg m³ for inhalation3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Risks acceptable for proposed uses | |||||||||
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Risks acceptable for proposed uses | ||||||||||
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Health issues |
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Ingestion may cause severe corrosion of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract |
Handling issues |
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Flammable Corrosive Hygroscopic IMDG Transport Code is usually 8 |
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Handling: H226 Health: H314 |
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Xi - Irritant: R36; R38 H - Handling risks: R10, R35 |
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S1/2, S23, S26, S45 | |||
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NL (Not listed) | |||
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2790 | |||
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Packaging Group II (medium danger) |
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acetic acid | ||
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acide acetique | ||
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Essigsaeure | ||
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acido acetico | ||
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Octowy kwas | ||
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attiksyra | ||
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azijnzuur |
Record last updated: | 12/01/2021 |
Contact: | aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: | Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |