COMMON IUPAC Name FORMULA STRUCTURE USES HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION/

CARBOXYLIC SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

ACID (FLAMMABLE,
CARCINOGENIC, EYE
IRRITANT, ETC.)

• Oxalic acid acts as a • Oxalic acid is toxic because of

OXALIC Ethanedioic acid C2HCO4 reducing agent for its acidic and chelating
ACID metal oxides to remove properties. It may cause burns,
tarnish as well as rust nausea, severe gastroenteritis
or ink stains. It is used and vomiting, shock, and
commercially as a convulsions. It is especially
laundry rinse, wood- toxic when ingested.
bleaching agent, and • Too much exposure to the
calcium remover. oxalic acid can irritate the
Oxalic acid can remove eyes, skin, and mucous
some paints and membrane; eye burns;
varnishes. It is also localized pain, cyanosis;
used as a mordant in shock, collapse, convulsions;
dyeing textiles and the kidney damage
manufacture of ink.

Some important uses of After exposure to benzoic acid,

BENZOIC Benzenecarboxylic C6H5COOH C6H5COOH are: the following health effects can
ACID acid • The production of occur:
phenol involves the • Eye damage
use of benzoic acid. • Irritation of the skin, resulting in
• This compound is used a rash, redness, and/or a
in ointments that burning feeling
prevent or treat fungal • Irritation to the nose, throat,
skin diseases. and lungs if inhaled, which
• C6H5COOH is used may cause coughing,
as a preservative in wheezing, and/or shortness of
the food industry. breath
 • Benzoic acid is an • Prolonged or repeated
ingredient in many exposure to benzoic acid can
cosmetic products, cause drying and cracking of
such as lipsticks. the skin with redness and
• It is also a precursor to itching.
benzoyl chloride, • Exposure to benzoic acid in
which finds its high concentrations,
application in making particularly in susceptible
other chemicals, dyes, individuals, may cause a skin
perfumes, herbicides, allergy. If an allergy develops,
and medicines. even exposure to very low
• This compound is also levels can cause itching and a
used in the skin rash.
manufacture of dyes
and insect repellants.

• Malic acid is used to Common side effects associated

MALIC ACID 2- make some medicines, with malic acid include
hydroxybutanedioic C4H6O5 add flavor to food, and • Rash
acid serve as a natural • Swelling
exfoliating ingredient in • Pigment changes
many products used to • Blisters
improve skin tone. • Skin peeling
• it is also used to • Itching
smooth wrinkles and • Irritation
fine lines, improve skin • Chemical burn
texture, cleanse pores, • Increased risk of sunburn
and improve overall
• loose stools or diarrhea
skin.
• nausea
• The use of a 1% oral
• indigestion
malic acid spray has
been explored as a
treatment for dry
mouth.
 • Succinic acid is used Succinic acid supplements are
SUCCINIC Butanedioic acid C4H6O4 primarily as an acidity safe to use, though a multitude of
ACID regulator in the food side effects have been linked to
and beverage industry. them. These include:
It is also available as a • Constipation
flavoring agent, • Dark or Green Stool
contributing a • Diarrhea
somewhat sour and • Nausea
astringent component • Stomach Upset
to the umami taste. As
an excipient in Moreover, succinic acid has been
pharmaceutical said to increase the risk for many
products, it is also used gastrointestinal conditions, such
to control acidity or as a as:
counter ion. • Duodenal Ulcers
• Ischemic Disease
• Severe Renal Dysfunction
• Stomach Ulcers
• Urolithiasis

• It is used in the • Acetic acid can affect you

VINEGAR Ethanoic acid CH3COOH production of plastic when inhaled which can irritate
(main soft drink bottles, the nose and throat, as well as
component) photographic film; and contact, can severely irritate
polyvinyl acetate for and burn the skin and eyes
wood glue, as well as leading to eye damage.
many synthetic fibers • Higher exposure to acetic acid
and fabrics. In may cause a build-up of fluid in
households diluted the lungs (pulmonary edema),
acetic acid is often a medical emergency.
used as a cleaning • Repeated exposure can cause
agent. In the food thickening and cracking of the
industry acetic acid is skin.
used as an acidity
regulator.
 • Propionic acid is used • If it gets into a person's eyes, it
PROPIONIC Propanoic acid CH3CH2COOH in the manufacture of can lead to severe irritation
ACID herbicides, fine and possibly blindness.
chemical • If it contacts the skin, then it
intermediates, rubber may cause severe burns and
chemicals, emulsions, pain.
and environmentally • When inhaled, it can irritate a
friendly solvents for person's nose and throat.
coating formulations • If it's accidentally swallowed in
artificial fruit flavors, small amounts, it's unlikely to
pharmaceuticals, and cause any harm.
modified synthesis • If someone swallows a lot of
cellulose fibers. this substance or a very
• Propionic acid is widely concentrated form of it,
used as an antifungal however, then it can irritate
agent in food. and burn the digestive tract,
• Propionic acid is an including the mouth, throat and
active ingredient for stomach, and intestines.
use as fungicides and • If a person accidentally inhales
bactericides on stored propionic acid when ingesting
grains, hays, storage it, then this can damage the
areas for silage and lungs and, in severe cases,
grains, poultry litter, lead to a person's death.
and drinking water for
poultry and livestock.

• Capric acid is used in • Capric acid can cause some

CAPRIC Decanoic acid CH3(CH2)8COOH the manufacture of side effects,
ACID esters for artificial fruit including nausea, bloating,
flavors and perfumes. It and diarrhea.
is also used as an • Too much consumption also of
intermediate in capric acid can cause
chemical synthesis. It is wheezing; chest tightness;
used in organic fever; itching; bad cough; blue
synthesis and skin color; seizures; or swelling
industrially in the of the face, lips, tongue, or
manufacture of throat.
 perfumes, lubricants,
greases, rubber, dyes,
plastics, food additives,
and pharmaceuticals.

• It is a preservative and • Formic acid can be irritating or

STING OF Methanoic acid HCOOH or antibacterial agent in corrosive to the skin, eyes, and
ANTS AND HCO2H livestock feed. mucous membranes,
BEES • Formic acid is very depending on the
much useful as a concentration. It may cause
reducing agent to severe caustic injury to the
reduce potassium skin, eyes, or mucosal
dichromate and membranes.
sodium. • In limited case reports,
• It is very well known as intentional oral ingestions of
a pesticide and is formic acid have resulted in
proven beneficial to life-threatening metabolic
prevent crops from acidosis, profound
being prone to attacks hypotension, shock, ARDS,
by different kinds of acute renal failure, and severe
pests. hemolysis. Systemic effects
have also been reported
following dermal exposure.
• Occupational exposure has
caused nausea and albumin or
blood in the urine. Formic acid
is a sensitizer for some
individuals; allergic contact
dermatitis or possibly asthma
could develop in these
individuals.
SOURCES:
• https://www.researchgate.net/figure/a-Caproic-acid-saturated_fig1_334327397
• https://study.com/academy/lesson/propionic-acid-toxicity-uses-safety.html
• https://study.com/academy/lesson/propionic-acid-toxicity-uses-safety.html
• https://collegedunia.com/exams/maleic-acid-formula-structure-uses-reactions-chemistry-articleid-4895
• https://www.drugs.com/npc/caprylic-acid.html
• https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB03600
• https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/270
• https://www.ehs.com/2014/11/acetic-acid-hazards-safety-information/
• https://chemistrytalk.org/carboxylic-acid-functional-group/
• https://www.studysmarter.us/explanations/chemistry/organic-chemistry/esters/