# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Acetaldehyde | CAS 75-07-0
CH3CHO | RTECS AB1925000
Synonyms & Trade Names Acetic aldehyde, Ethanal, Ethyl aldehyde | DOT ID & Guide 1089 129
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: Ca See Appendix A See Appendix C (Aldehydes)
OSHA PEL†: TWA 200 ppm (360 mg/m3)
IDLH Ca [2000 ppm] | Conversion 1 ppm = 1.80 mg/m3
Physical Description Colorless liquid or gas (above 69°F) with a pungent, fruity odor.
MW: 44.1 | BP: 69°F | FRZ: -190°F | Sol: Miscible
VP: 740 mmHg | IP: 10.22 eV |  | Sp.Gr: 0.79
Fl.P: -36°F | UEL: 60% | LEL: 4.0% |
Class IA Flammable Liquid: Fl.P. below 73°F and BP below 100°F.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Strong oxidizers, acids, bases, alcohols, ammonia & amines, phenols, ketones, HCN, H2S [Note: Prolonged contact with air may cause formation of peroxides that may explode and burst containers; easily undergoes polymerization.]
Measurement Methods NIOSH 2538; OSHA 68
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: Prevent skin contact Eyes: Prevent eye contact Wash skin: When contaminated Remove: When wet (flammable) Change: No recommendation Provide: Eyewash, Quick drench | First Aid (See procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately Skin: Water flush promptly Breathing: Respiratory support Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, nose, throat; eye, skin burns; dermatitis; conjunctivitis; cough; central nervous system depression; delayed pulmonary edema; in animals: kidney, reproductive, teratogenic effects; [potential occupational carcinogen]
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system, kidneys, central nervous system, reproductive system Cancer Site [in animals: nasal cancer]
See also: INTRODUCTION