Benzoic acid is mainly used for antifungal and disinfectant antiseptic, used in the production of pharmaceuticals, dye carriers, plasticizers, spices and food preservatives, etc. It is also used to improve the performance of alkyd resin coatings, and as a rust preventive agent for iron and steel equipments, and as an agricultural chemical. Benzoic acid its sodium salt has low toxicity. It is not toxic to the human body at a daily oral dose of less than 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. It can be detoxified in human and animal tissues by combining with glycine, a protein component, to form mauric acid which is excreted in the urine. Microcrystals or dust of benzoic acid are irritating to the skin, eyes, nose and throat. Even its sodium salt is damaging to the stomach if taken in large quantities. Benzoic acid is widely used, and as long as it is not exposed to excessive amounts it is generally not harmful.