Acetic acid is also known as acetic acid, ethyl acid, acetic acid, methane carboxylic acid; its chemical formula is CH3COOH. Acetic acid is a byproduct of fermentation that gives vinegar its characteristic smell. The acetic acid content of vinegar in water is about 4-6%.

What is acetic acid?

Acetic acid is also known as acetic acid, ethyl acid, acetic acid, methane carboxylic acid; its chemical formula is CH3COOH. Acetic acid is a byproduct of fermentation that gives vinegar its characteristic smell. The acetic acid content of vinegar in water is about 4-6%. A more concentrated solution can be found in the laboratory, pure acetic acid containing only traces of water, known as glacial acetic acid.

Acetic acid is the 33rd largest chemical produced in the United States. Acetic acid is used in the manufacture of acetic anhydride, cellulose acetate, vinyl acetate monomer, acetate esters, chloroacetic acid, plastics, dyes, pesticides, photographic chemicals, and rubber, among others. Other commercial uses include the manufacture of vitamins, antibiotics, hormones and organic chemicals, and as a food additive. Typical concentrations of acetic acid naturally found in food range from 700 to 1,200 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) in wine, up to 860 mg/kg in aged cheese, and up to 2.8 mg/kg in fresh orange juice.

What are the health effects of exposure to acetic acid?