Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LEVULINIC ACID

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Intermediate for plasticisers, solvents, resins, flavours, pharmaceuticals; acidulant and
preservative; chrome plating; stabiliser for calcium greases; control of lime deposits;
solder flux; hydroxyl protecting agent used in carbohydrate chemistry; manufacture of
nylons, synthetic rubbers, plastics..

SYNONYMS

C5-H8-O3, CH3COCH2CH2CO2H, "aceto-propionic acid", "beta-acetylpropionic acid", "gamma-
ketovaleric acid", "laevulinic acid", "levulic acid", "propionic acid, 3-acetyl-",
"propionic acid, 3-acetyl-", "4-oxovaleric acid", "4-oxovaleric acid", "4-oxo-n-valeric
acid", "4-oxo-n-valeric acid", "4-oxopentanoic acid", "4-oxopentanoic acid", "USAF CZ-1",
"valeric acid, 4-oxo-", "valeric acid, 4-oxo-"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  The material may be irritating to the eye, with prolonged contact causing inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Solution of material in moisture on the skin, or perspiration, may markedly increase skin corrosion and accelerate tissue destruction.  The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/absorption and inhalation of generated dust.  No human exposure data available. For this reason health effects described are based on experience with chemically related materials.  As with any chemical product, contact with unprotected bare skin; inhalation of vapor, mist or dust in work place atmosphere; or ingestion in any form, should be avoided by observing good occupational work practice.