FORMALDEHYDE
SYNONYMS:
ALDEHYDE FORMIQUE (French); BFV; CUPOSIT
CP-74M ELECTROLESS COPPER; CUPOSIT CP-74R COPPER REPLINISHER; DEHIDO (Spanish);
EEC No. 605-001-00-5; EINECS No. 200-001-8; FORMALIN; FORMALIN 40; FORMALINE
(German); FORMALIN-LOESUNGEN (German); FORMALITH; FORMIC ALDEHYDE; FORMOL;
FYDE; HERCULES 37M6-8; IVALON; KARSAN; LOW DYE-FAST DRY INK; LYSOFORM;
MAGNIFLOC 156C FLOCCULANT; METHANAL; METHANAL SOLUTION; METHYL ALDEHYDE;
METHYLENE GLYCOL; METHYLENE OXIDE; MORBICID; NCI-C02799; OXOMETHANE;
OXYMETHYLENE; PARAFORM;
POLYOXYMETHYLENE GLYCOLS; SUPERLYSOFORM;
TETRAOXYMETHYLENE; TRIOXANE
IDENTIFICATION:
CAS:
50-00-0
DOT ID:
UN2209 (solutions, [with not < 25 percent
formaldehyde]); UN1198 (flammable solutions)
Hazard Class or Division:
8 (CORROSIVE MATERIAL)
(UN2209); 3 (FLAMMABLE LIQUID) (UN1198)
ERG Guide:
132
Formula:
CH2O
RTECS No:
LP8925000
Properties:
Extremely flammable watery
liquid. Usually shipped as a 30 -40% solution in water or 15% or less solution
in methanol. Colorless or cloudy. Pungent, irritating odor. Sinks and mixes
with water. Vapors are heavier than air; will collect in low areas.
Uses:
In industrial germicides,
fungicides and disinfectants; industrial adhesives and resins.
HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION
• IDLH:
20 ppm [Ca]
• IARC:
Group 1, human carcinogen; human evidence,
limited; animal evidence, sufficient.
• NTP:
Anticipated human carcinogen.
• Odor threshold:
0.03125–12,250 mg/m3. Odor
is not a reliable indicator of the presence of toxic amounts of vapor.
• OSHA Table Z-1 Air Contaminant
• OSHA Table Z-2 Air Contaminant
• OSHA Specifically Regulated Substances: (29 CFR
1910.1048) (>40).
• OSHA Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous
Chemicals (29 CFR, 1910.119): Threshold Quantity: 1000 pounds.
• Severely irritating the eyes, skin, and
respiratory tract. Inhalation of very high concentrations may cause lung edema;
the effects may be delayed. The major concerns of repeated exposure are
sensitization and cancer. In sensitized persons, formaldehyde can cause asthma
and contact dermatitis. In persons who are not sensitized, prolonged inhalation
of formaldehyde at low levels is likely to result in chronic pulmonary injury.
The U.S. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that
formaldehyde may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. In humans,
formaldehyde exposure has been associated with increased risk of leukemia and
nasal, mouth, throat, lung, and brain cancer. There is limited evidence that
formaldehyde causes adverse reproductive effects. Also, long-term inhalation
can result in respiratory congestion with associated coughing and shortness of
breath. Daily skin contact can lead to drying and scaling. Subsequent contact
may cause skin rashes and asthma, and reactions may become more severe if
exposure persists.
Exposure Limits:
• ACGIH TLV: 0.3 ppm/0.37 mg/m3 ceiling limit,
suspected human carcinogen
• OSHA PEL: 0.75 ppm TWA; 2 ppm STEL, suspected
carcinogen
• NIOSH REL: 0.016 ppm TWA; 0.1 ppm/15 min. ceiling
limit, potential carcinogen. Reduce exposure to lowest feasible level
• DFG MAK: 0.5 ppm/0.62 mg/m3
Respirator:
At any
concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable
concentration:
SCBAF:PD,PP
(any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is
operated in a pressure-demand or other positivepressure mode) SAF:PD,PP:ASCBA
(any suppliedair respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a
pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an
auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or
other positive-pressure mode).
Escape:
GMFS [any airpurifying, full-facepiece
respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister
providing protection against the compound of concern] SCBAE (any appropriate
escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus).
Reactivity:
May polymerize unless
properly inhibited (usually with methanol). Forms explosive mixture with air.
Incompatible with strong acids, amines, strong oxidizers, alkaline materials,
nitrogen dioxide, and performic acid. Reaction with hydrochloric acid forms
bis-chloromethyl ether, a carcinogen.
FIRE INFORMATION:
Fire fighting gear,
including SCBA, does not provide adequate protection. If exposure occurs,
remove and isolate gear immediately and thoroughly decontaminate personnel.
Vapors may travel long distances to ignition sources and flash back. Vapors in
confined areas or containers may explode in fire. If material or contaminated
runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated
water.
Hazard Classifications:
Health Hazard (Blue)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
Flammability (Red)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 4
Reactivity (Yellow)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 0
Solution (37% methanol free; 37%, 15% methanol)
Health Hazard (Blue)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
Flammability (Red)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 2
Reactivity (Yellow)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 0
Flash Point: (37% methanol-free) 185°F (85°C) (cc);
(15% methanol) 122°F (50°C) (cc)
Flammable Limits in Air: LEL: 7.0%; UEL: 73% (gas)
Autoignition Temperature: 806°F (430°C) (solution);
572°F (300°C) (gas)
FIRST AID:
Move victim to fresh air.
Call emergency medical care. Apply artificial respiration if victim is not
breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim swallowed or inhaled the
substance; induce artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped
with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. If breathing
is difficult, give oxygen. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.
In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running
water for at least 20 minutes. Keep victim warm and quiet. Effects of exposure
(inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substances may be delayed. Ensure
that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, and take
precautions to protect themselves.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
• Clean Air Act: Hazardous Air Pollutants (Title I,
Part A, Section 112); Accidental Release Prevention/Flammable substances,
(Section 112[r], Table 3), TQ = 15,000 lb (6,810 kg).
• Clean Water Act: Section 311 Hazardous Substances/RQ
(same as CERCLA); Section 313 Priority Chemicals.
• EPA Hazardous Waste Number (RCRA No.): U122.
• RCRA Section 261 Hazardous Constituents
• EPCRA Section 302 Extremely Hazardous Substances:
TPQ = 500 lb (227 kg).
• EPCRA Section 304: Reportable Quantity (RQ):
CERCLA, 100 lb (45.4 kg).
• EPCRA Section 313: Form R
de minimis
concentration reporting
level: 0.1%.
• California LOL: ACDEFGHIK(Carcinogen as
formaldehyde gas) MNOPQ
• WHMIS, Ingredients Disclosure List (Canada): 0.1%