Chemical Sampling Information
	Propionaldehyde
Quick Links General Description Exposure Limits Health Factors Monitoring Search    [use word(s)/phrase] Table of Contents By Name A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z By CAS Number General Description Synonyms: Methylacetaldehyde; Propanal; Propionic aldehyde; Propyl aldehyde OSHA IMIS Code Number: P129 Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 123-38-6 NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: UE0350000 Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1275 129 [27 KB, PDF] Chemical Description and Physical Properties: colorless liquid with pungent odor molecular formula: C3H6O molecular weight: 58.1 boiling point: 49°C flash point: -30°C closed cup melting point: -81°C vapor pressure: 31.3 kPa @ 20°C Exposure Limits American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 20 ppm, 47.5 mg/m3 TWA Health Factors Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, nose, throat; cough, sore throat; eye and skin pain, redness; INGES. ACUTE: Burning sensation. Health Effects: Irritation-Eyes, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15); Pulmonary edema (HE4) Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system Notes: OSHA does not have a PEL for propionaldehyde. Vapor/air mixtures of propionaldehyde may be explosive. Propionaldehyde is listed by the FDA as a synthetic flavoring substance that is permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption (21 CFR 172.515). Like acetaldehyde, the metabolism of propionaldehyde (to propionic acid) is substantially decreased in liver preparations from individuals who are genetically heterozygous for the mutant form of aldehyde dehydrogenase-2. In a study of inhalation toxicity in rats exposed intermittently to 23 mg/m3 (~10 ppm) for 3 weeks, propionaldehyde was reported to cause emphysema. In contrast, the RD50 (concentration of sensory irritant necessary to decrease respiratory rate by 50%) in rats acutely exposed to propionaldehyde for 10 minutes was estimated to be 6,789 ppm, indicating that this reflex does not protect rats from propionaldehyde-induced lung damage. Date Last Revised: 01/30/2007 Literature Basis: International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Propionaldehyde. U.S. DHHS Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances: Proprionaldehyde (RTECS # UE0350000). Babiuk, C., Steinhagen, W.H. and Barrow, C.S.: Sensory irritation to inhaled aldehydes after formaldehyde pretreatment. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 79(1): 143-149, 1985. Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Propionaldehyde. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1954-1955. Wang, R.-S., Nakajima, T., Kawamoto, T. and Honma, T.: Effects of aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 genetic polymorphisms on metabolism of structurally different aldehydes in human liver. Drug Metab. Dispos. 30(1): 69-73, 2002. Monitoring Methods used by OSHA Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method: sampling media: Coated XAD-2 Tube (150/75 mg sections, 20/60 mesh); coating is 10% (w/w) 2-(Hydroxymethyl)piperidine analytical solvent: Toluene maximum volume: 5 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/NPD with GC/MS identification method reference: OSHA Modified NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 2539) [255 KB, PDF] method classification: Partially Validated note: OSHA modification is use of GC/NPD in place of GC/FID. This is a screening method and is not quantitative. All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.