Material Safety Data Sheet: Ammonium Acetate

Identification

Product Name: Ammonium Acetate
Synonyms: Acetic acid, ammonium salt
Chemical Formula: C2H7NO2
Molecular Weight: 77.08 g/mol
Recommended Uses: Laboratory reagent, food additive, pharmaceuticals, analytical chemistry
Supplier Details: Available from major laboratory chemical suppliers, look for dedicated customer contact information, emergency hotline included on label
CAS Number: 631-61-8
Emergency Contact: Refer to label for 24-hour emergency numbers and supplier hotlines
Other Identification: Verification of batch number and expiry date crucial for lab traceability

Hazard Identification

Classification: Not classified as hazardous according to OSHA and GHS standards for typical laboratory handling
Main Health Risks: Can cause irritation to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin after direct contact or inhalation; dust exposure may aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions
Environmental Risks: Large spills may disrupt aquatic environments by releasing ammonia and acidity, posing risk to aquatic organisms
Physical Hazards: Not highly combustible but can release toxic fumes if heated excessively; decomposition generates ammonia and acetic acid vapors, both of which demand local exhaust in processing spaces
Signal Word: None formally assigned, but care still needed in enclosed spaces
Precautionary Statements: Handle with protective gloves, eye protection, and avoid inhalation of dust; wash hands thoroughly after handling; ensure proper local ventilation or extraction

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Ammonium Acetate
Purity: Laboratory grades above 97%
CAS Registry Number: 631-61-8
Other Ingredients: No significant impurities affecting classification, but always refer to COA for batch-specific contaminant levels
Structural Formula: CH3COONH4
Additional Information: Often supplied as solid crystals or powder; check lot analysis for minor hydrated forms

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person into fresh air; support breathing as needed; seek medical attention for persistent symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes immediately with running water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids apart; seek medical attention for irritation or redness
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash area with soap and plenty of water; monitor for delayed skin reactions
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person; seek medical advice if large amounts consumed or symptoms occur
Most Important Symptoms: Burning, redness, coughing, irritation of exposed tissues; prompt response often eliminates long-term effects
Note to Physician: Treat symptomatically; monitor for secondary complications like chemical-induced asthma or dermatitis

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam for fires close to the material
Specific Hazards Develop Upon Burning: Material decomposes under fire conditions to release toxic vapors including ammonia and acetic acid; both demand evacuation or full firefighting protection
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and complete protective gear
Special Procedures: Cool exposed containers with water to prevent pressure build-up; prevent runoff from entering drains or waterways

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Protection: Use appropriate PPE including gloves, goggles, and a dust mask or respirator for high-dust conditions
Spill Clean-Up Methods: Sweep up solid spills without raising dust; shovel into labeled containers for disposal according to local regulations
Environmental Precautions: Prevent uncontrolled release to soil or watercourses; avoid creating airborne dust in narrow spaces
Ventilation: Increase air flow in spill area, close off affected zone until cleanup completed
Decontamination: Wash affected surfaces thoroughly after cleanup, particularly in food or biotech processing zones

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling Guidance: Always handle in well-ventilated spaces; avoid eye and skin contact; wash hands before eating or smoking in working areas
Incompatible Materials: Storage near strong acids, strong bases, or oxidizers may cause hazardous reactions or release of irritating gases
Technical Measures: Use of local exhaust, sealed containers, and dust management practices recommended
Storage Requirements: Store in a cool, dry place with good air circulation; prevent moisture ingress by keeping containers tightly closed; keep away from direct sunlight or heat sources
Labeling and Segregation: Clear labeling and segregated storage required, especially in multi-material chemical storage zones

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Workplace Exposure Limits: No OSHA or ACGIH exposure limits assigned, but minimize airborne dust as a best practice
Engineering Controls: Use local or process-level exhaust in dusty zones, keep containers closed when not in use
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, PVC), safety goggles or full-face shield, laboratory coat or coveralls
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved particulate respirator if handling powder in bulk or with risk of splashes
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and exposed skin before meals and after handling; keep food away from work areas

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to slightly off-white crystalline solid or powder
Odor: Faint ammonia-like smell
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Melting Point: 114°C (decomposes)
Solubility: Readily soluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol
Relative Density: 1.17 g/cm³ (bulk density may vary by manufacturer)
pH (solution): 7.0–7.4 in 5% water solution
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Flammability: Non-flammable but can emit irritating fumes if heated strongly
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Data not available
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable (solid form)

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling conditions, away from incompatible substances
Hazardous Reactions: Contact with strong acids leads to rapid release of acetic acid and ammonia gas; strong oxidizers may cause decomposition
Decomposition Products: Ammonia gas, acetic acid vapor, nitrogen oxides or carbon monoxide in fire scenarios
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, open flame, unsealed humid conditions
Reactivity with Metals: Not reactive under normal storage, but can corrode some metals in moist conditions over time

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): around 3240 mg/kg; not highly toxic by ingestion but may irritate GI tract in significant quantities
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Chronic Effects: No evidence for carcinogenicity or reproductive toxicity, based on available research and regulatory reviews
Symptoms of Overexposure: Eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation, coughing, potential vomiting or abdominal pain if swallowed
Other Data: Material not listed on NTP, IARC, or OSHA as a carcinogen; repeated exposure to dusts may aggravate pre-existing conditions such as asthma

Ecological Information

Environmental Fate: Ammonium acetate is water-soluble and can leach rapidly into soil and groundwater; readily broken down by natural bacteria
Ecotoxicity: High concentrations can be toxic to aquatic life because of ammonia release and acidity, so avoid uncontrolled drainage
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable in environmental conditions; ammonia and acetate ions naturally converted by soil and aquatic microbes
Bioaccumulative Potential: Not considered a bioaccumulative material
Other Aggregate Effects: Spills in water may contribute to eutrophication if not controlled

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations; small lab quantities can often be neutralized and washed down sewer with excess water, but only after neutralization and approval by facility safety office
Container Disposal: Triple rinse containers before discarding, deface labeling, and dispose of as chemical waste
Special Precautions: Never mix with strong acids, bases, or oxidizers during waste handling; segregate from incompatible materials
Waste Codes: Refer to municipal codes for laboratory chemicals or hazardous waste if contaminated with hazardous substances

Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified as dangerous goods for most transport routes including DOT, IATA, and IMDG
Proper Shipping Name: Ammonium Acetate
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: Not assigned
Special Transport Measures: Ensure packaging is secure, dry, and properly labeled; store away from incompatible goods in transport
Environmental Hazards: None classified as per GHS and DOT, but prevent container leaks to avoid impact to water bodies during shipment

Regulatory Information

Labelling Requirements: OSHA-compliant labeling in US workplaces; CLP or EU GHS labeling for European applications
Inventory Listings: TSCA (US), REACH (EU), DSL (Canada), and other major chemical registries list product for commercial and laboratory use
Federal Regulations: Not a regulated hazardous substance under CERCLA or SARA; not listed under US Clean Water Act as a primary toxic pollutant
Worker Protection Acts: Exposure levels should be maintained as low as reasonably achievable, even though not a listed regulated substance
Chemical Safety Assessment: Not required for low-risk intermediates under REACH, but chemical safety report available on request
Other Requirements: All national and local regulations for storage, use, and workplace exposure should be met; review updated safety rules prior to material use