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1000
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Abstract/Summary
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The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value), the Pregnancy Risk Group and the germ cell mutagenicity of formic acid methyl ester [107‐31‐3]. No neurobehavioral effects were observed in subjects exposed to 100 ml/m3 for 8 hours at rest. After taking the increased respiratory volume at the workplace into account because the blood:air partition coefficient of formic acid methyl ester is > 5 (see Sections I b and I c of the List of MAK and BAT Values), the MAK value of 50 ml/m3 has been retained. Since a systemic effect is critical, Peak Limitation Category II is retained. As it is unclear whether the metabolites methanol and formic acid or formic acid methyl ester itself are responsible for the effects, the excursion factor has been set to the default value of 2 for substances with systemic effects. There are no developmental toxicity studies with formic acid methyl ester. Taking into consideration the data for the metabolites formic acid and methanol, damage to the embryo and foetus is unlikely if the MAK value for formic acid methyl ester is not exceeded. Therefore, formic acid methyl ester remains classified in Pregnancy Risk Group C. Formic acid methyl ester is not mutagenic in bacteria. No clastogenic effects were observed in vivo. Uptake via the skin can lead to systemic effects and formic acid methyl ester remains designated with “H”. There are no clinical results for sensitization in humans and no sensitization tests in animals.
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