METHYL FORMATE | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

METHYL FORMATE†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	107-31-3
Formula	C₂H₄O₂
Synonyms	methyl ester of formic acid; methyl methanoate

Physical Properties
Physical description	Colorless liquid with a pleasant odor.
Boiling point	89°F	Molecular weight	60.1
Freezing point/melting point	-148°F	Vapor pressure	476 mmHg
Flash point	-26°F	Vapor density	2.07
Specific gravity	0.98	Ionization potential	10.82 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL)	4.5%	Upper explosive limit (UEL)	23%
NFPA health rating	2	NFPA fire rating	4
NFPA reactivity rating	0	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	1770
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media	Anasorb 747 (400/200 mg) [SKC 226-83]
Sampling time^*
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	3 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.05 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	GC-FID
Method reference	OSHA PV2041 (partially validated)
Notes	Keep samples refrigerated when not in transit. Ship samples overnight with cold-packs as soon as possible.
Special requirements

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	100 ppm (250 mg/m³)	REL-TWA	100 ppm (250 mg/m³)	TLV-TWA	50 ppm [2014]	PEL-TWA	100 ppm (250 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL	150 ppm (375 mg/m³)	TLV-STEL	100 ppm [2014]	PEL-STEL	150 ppm (375 mg/m³)
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	N
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.		Notes:		Notes:		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	4500 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: Not listed		Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Methyl formate

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Methyl formate

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Methyl formate. See annual publication for most recent information.
Nihlen, A. and Droz, P.O.: Toxicokinetic modeling of methyl formate exposure and implications for biological monitoring. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 73(7): 479-487, 2000.
Peng, H.M., Raner, G.M., Vaz, A.D. and Coon, M.J.: Oxidative cleavage of esters and amides to carbonyl products by cytochrome P450. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 318(2):333-339, 1995.
Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Methyl Formate. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1572-1573.

Last Updated Date : 01/05/2021

METHYL FORMATE†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References