Propionic acid |

Last updated: 09/01/2025
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(Also known as: metacetonic acid; carboxyethane; ethylformic acid) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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Propionic acid inhibits the growth of pathogens and is used for hay, grain storage and other non-food applications |
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Development of moulds and bacteria |
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Hay; Grain storage; Sorgum; Poultry litter; Drinking water for livestock and poultry |
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- |
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Current |
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circa 1970, introduced |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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No UK approval for use as a pesticide |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Yes |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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✓ |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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None |
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CH₃CH₂COOH |
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CCC(=O)O |
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- |
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XBDQKXXYIPTUBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
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InChI=1S/C3H6O2/c1-2-3(4)5/h2H2,1H3,(H,4,5) |
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Yes |
Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams |
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Common Name |
Relationship |
Link |
propionic acid |
- |
 |
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Fungicide, Other substance |
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Penetrant, Wetting agent, Adjuvant, Bactericide |
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Carboxylic acid compound |
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- |
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- |
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Synthetic |
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Though to depress microbial growth in the gastro-intestinal tract |
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79-09-4 |
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201-176-3 |
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None allocated |
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077702 |
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1032 |
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607-089-00-0 |
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74.08 |
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- |
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propanoic acid |
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ethanecarboxylic acid |
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- |
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- |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not known |
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- |
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Colourless liquid |
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1000000 |
at 25 °C |
High |
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- |
- |
- |
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-21 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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2.14 X 1000 |
Calculated |
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0.33 |
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Low |
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- |
- |
- |
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- |
- |
- |
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0.99 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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4.88 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Weak acid |
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- |
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5 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Non-persistent |
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- |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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Cannot be calculated |
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Low risk |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Based on LogP < 3 |
Low risk |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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> 351 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Moderate |
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2600 |
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Low |
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67.1 |
Oncorhynchus mykiss |
Moderate |
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- |
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- |
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21.0 |
Daphnia magna |
Moderate |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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Low (class I) |
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> 351 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Moderate |
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EU MRL pesticide database |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0 = No data |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
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Gastrointestinal and liver toxicant USA classified as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) |
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Corrosive Flammable |
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Health: H319, H335 |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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propionic acid |
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Record last updated: |
09/01/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |