Ask a doctor on the topic of General medicine

Smelled of formic acid.

July 4, 2016 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello,

I accidentally smelled the Endwarts Pen. Unfortunately, I only read the instructions afterwards. Is that very bad? Should I see a doctor?

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello,

The corrosive effect of formic acid on the eyes and mucous membranes is immediately apparent. So if you do not have red eyes, coughing, or burning in the airways (which would also be surprising because you would have to be exposed to much more concentrated vapors for a corrosion), you don't need to do anything else.

Warnings about formic acid come from the chemical industry, where one can accidentally "pour" it on oneself and of course, because it is liquid formic acid here, it is exposed to completely different concentrations in the air.

Best regards, Dr. Höllering