Product Name: Methacrylic Acid
Synonyms: 2-Methylpropenoic acid
CAS Number: 79-41-4
Recommended Use: Production of polymers, resins, coatings
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Classification: Flammable liquids (Category 3), Acute toxicity (Category 4, oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin corrosion (Category 1B), Eye damage (Category 1), Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure, Category 3)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause respiratory irritation, flammable liquid and vapor
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors, wash skin thoroughly after handling, use only non-sparking tools, keep away from heat and open flames
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, eyes
Pictograms: Flame, exclamation mark, corrosion
Chemical Name: Methacrylic acid
CAS No.: 79-41-4
Concentration: 99–100%
Impurities: Inhibitor to prevent polymerization, usually MEHQ (4-methoxyphenol), less than 200 ppm
Molecular Formula: C4H6O2
Molecular Weight: 86.09 g/mol
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention if breathing becomes difficult
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, do not attempt to neutralize with chemicals, seek medical attention for persistent irritation or burns
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, keep rinsing, immediate medical attention needed
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth carefully, drink water if conscious, get medical assistance immediately
Notes for Medical Personnel: Treat symptomatically, monitor for respiratory distress and pulmonary edema, consider the caustic nature of methacrylic acid
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, CO2
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use direct water jets—can spread fire
Specific Hazards: Flammable; gives off irritating and toxic fumes (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide) if burning
Protective Equipment: Firefighters require self-contained breathing apparatus and full gear
Special Procedures: Move containers away from fire if possible, use water spray to cool exposed surfaces, avoid inhaling combustion products
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate, remove ignition sources, use chemical splash goggles, gloves, acid-resistant clothing, positive pressure respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, waterways, or soil
Methods for Clean-Up: Absorb with inert material like sand or universal binder, scoop into suitable container, wash spill area with plenty of water, ventilate
Decontamination: Neutralize with lime or sodium bicarbonate if safe to do so, avoid use of sawdust or combustibles for absorption
Precautions for Safe Handling: Work in well-ventilated area, avoid vapors and skin contact, ground and bond containers, minimize splashing, do not eat or smoke when handling
Precautions for Storage: Store in tightly closed containers, away from heat sources, sunlight, and incompatible materials including oxidizers and bases
Temperature Recommendations: Keep cool, maintain below 35°C to prevent polymerization
Storage Conditions: Store only with inhibitors, in corrosion-resistant vessels, separated from acids, alkalis, reducing agents, and oxidizers
Incompatibilities: Avoid storing near oxidizing agents, metals, peroxides
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 20 ppm (8-hour TWA), NIOSH REL: 20 ppm
Engineering Controls: Local ventilation, explosion-proof ventilation systems
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), safety goggles or face shield, full body protective clothing, use respirator with organic vapor cartridge in case of poor ventilation
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking, change contaminated clothing before leaving work area
Biological Monitoring: Not established; general observation for overexposure symptoms
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Unpleasant, sharp, acrid
Melting Point: 15°C
Boiling Point: 161°C
Flash Point: 68°C (closed cup)
Auto-ignition Temperature: 420°C
Vapor Pressure: 11 hPa at 20°C
Density: 1.015 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Miscible with water
pH: 1-2 (0.1 M solution)
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): 0.93
Viscosity: 1.3 mPa.s at 20°C
Chemical Stability: Unstable without inhibitor, may polymerize rapidly when exposed to heat, light, or peroxides
Conditions to Avoid: Excess heat, sunlight, sources of ignition, prolonged storage, incompatible materials
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong bases, amines, metal salts, reducing agents
Hazardous Reactions: Rapid exothermic polymerization possible, pressure build-up in sealed containers
Decomposition Products: Forms acid vapors, toxic fumes (CO, CO2) on burning
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 1320 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 (rabbit): 500 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 (rat, 4h): 7.1 mg/L
Skin and Eye Contact: Causes severe burns, permanent eye damage possible
Sensitization: Possible skin sensitizer with repeated or prolonged contact
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis or respiratory tract irritation
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Reproductive Toxicity: No significant evidence in animal studies
Symptoms of Overexposure: Burning, redness, pain, skin blistering, eye watering, difficulty breathing if inhaled
Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic life; LC50 (fish, 96 h): 85 mg/L; EC50 (Daphnia magna, 48 h): 42 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in water and soil, breaks down through microbial activity
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low; log Kow is 0.93, indicating low potential for bioaccumulation
Mobility in Soil: High; sees rapid movement due to high water solubility
Other Adverse Effects: May cause pH changes in contaminated water; toxicity mainly related to acidity and methacrylate group
Waste Treatment Methods: Incinerate at approved facility, neutralize with sodium hydroxide if diluted and treat as hazardous waste
Disposal Containers: Use corrosion-resistant, sealed, labeled containers
Precautions: Do not discharge into sewers or waterways; follow local, state, and federal regulations for hazardous waste
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly, treat as hazardous material, dispose of in accordance with regulations
Recycling: Not practical given reactivity;
UN Number: 2531
UN Proper Shipping Name: Methacrylic acid, stabilized
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive), subsidiary risk 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: II
Labels: Corrosive, Flammable Liquid
Special Precautions for User: Keep upright, handle with appropriate containment, avoid temperature extremes during transit
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as a marine pollutant
OSHA: Regulated as a hazardous chemical; subject to requirements under the Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA: Listed on TSCA Inventory
SARA Title III: Section 313 listed substance
EPA: Regulated under Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act
WHMIS (Canada): Class B2 (Flammable liquid), D1B (Toxic), E (Corrosive)
Other: Subject to EU REACH Regulation (Annex VI listing), regulations for labeling and safety data
Labelling Requirements: Hazard pictograms, signal word “Danger”, hazard and precautionary statements must appear on containers
