Ethyl formate is an ester formed when ethanol (an alcohol) reacts with formic acid (a carboxylic acid). Ethyl formate has the characteristic smell of rum and is partially responsible for the flavor of raspberries,[3] occurring naturally in some plant oils, fruits, and juices. Ethyl formate does not occur naturally in the animal kingdom.[4]
Exposure
Ethyl formate is generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.[5]
According to the U.S Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), ethyl formate can irritate eyes, skin, mucous membranes, and the respiratory system of humans and other animals; it is also a central nervous system depressant.[6] In industry, it is used as a solvent for cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, oils, and greases. It can be used as a substitute for acetone; workers may also be exposed to it under the following circumstances:[6]
- during spray, brush, or dip applications of lacquers
- during the manufacture of safety glass
- when fumigating tobacco, cereals, and dried fruits (as an alternative to methyl bromide under the U.S. Department of Agriculture quarantine system[5])
OSHA considers a time-weighted average of 100 parts per million (300 milligrams per cubic meter) over an eight-hour period as the permissible exposure limit. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) also considers a time-weighted average of 100 ppm over an eight-hour period as the recommended exposure limit.[7]
In space
Ethyl formate has been identified in dust clouds in an area of the Milky Way galaxy called Sagittarius B2. It is among 50 molecular species identified using the 30 metre IRAM radiotelescope.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0278". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
- ^ a b "Ethyl formate". Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
- ^ a b Sample, Ian (21 April 2009). "Galaxy's centre tastes of raspberries and smells of rum, say astronomers". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ "eCFR :: 21 CFR 184.1295 -- Ethyl formate". 2024-02-22. Archived from the original on 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ a b "Alternative fumigants: Ethyl Formate". University of California. Archived from the original on 2009-05-30. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
- ^ a b "Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Ethyl Formate". OSHA. Archived from the original on 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
- ^ CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards Archived 2017-12-19 at the Wayback Machine.
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