| Agent Name | Formaldehyde |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 50-00-0 |
| Formula | C-H2-O |
| Major Category | Other Classes |
| Synonyms | Gas: Methanal; Methyl aldehyde; Methylene oxide; Aqueos: Formalin; [NIOSH] |
| Category | Aldehydes |
| Description | Nearly colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor; Formalin is an aqueous solution that is 37% formaldehyde by weight; inhibited solutions contain 6-12 % methyl alcohol. [NIOSH] |
| Sources/Uses | Used in the production of formaldehyde resins, plywood, particle board, paper, and urea-formaldehyde foam; embalmers and laboratory workers may be exposed to levels above 1 ppm; [LaDou, p. 458] The major industrial consumers of formaldehyde resins are molded plastic parts, decorative laminates, photographic film, and plywood paneling. High formaldehyde exposures were documented in carpet installers and parquet tile fitters. Formaldehyde also exists as a polymer (paraformaldehyde) and as a trimer (sym-trioxane or trioxmethylene). [ACGIH] Occupational asthma reported in hospital workers; [Malo] Also at risk for asthma and allergic contact dermatitis are housekeeping personnel, machinists, and textile workers. |
| Comments | Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure; [CHRIS] Inhalation of formaldehyde can produce bronchospasm and pulmonary edema. [ATSDR Medical Management] Sold commercially as formalin in 37%, 44%, or 50% solutions of formaldehyde; Skin sensitization reported from coolants, photographic chemicals, paper, carpets, and fabric resins. [Marks, p. 88] [Occupational asthma due to formaldehyde. Burge PS et al. Thorax 1985 Apr;40(4):255-60.] There is sufficient evidence that formaldehyde causes nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia in humans. [IARC Monograph Volume 100F (2012): Formaldehyde] |
| Restricted | See 29CFR1910.1048 (Code of Federal Regulations) |
| Reference Link | |
| Exposure Assessment | |
| Skin Designation (ACGIH) | No |
| Ceiling (ACGIH) | 0.3 ppm |
| PEL (OSHA) | 0.75 mg/m3, STEL(OSHA) = 2 ppm |
| MAK | 0.3 ppm |
| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs | Human data: It has been reported that exposure to 10 to 20 ppm produces almost immediate eye irritation and a sharp burning sensation of the nose and throat which may be associated with sneezing, difficulty in taking a deep breath, and coughing; recovery is prompt from these transient effects [Kodak 1936�1960]. It has been estimated that exposure for 5 to 10 minutes to 50 to 100 ppm might cause serious injury to the lower respiratory passages [Kodak 1936-1960]. The following exposure-effect data has also been reported: Most subjects experience irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat at 1 to 3 ppm; many subjects cannot tolerate prolonged exposures to 4 to 5 ppm; and difficulty in breathing was experienced at 10 to 20 ppm [IARC 1982]. In a summary of health effects data, upper airway irritation and increased nasal airway resistance were reported at 0.1 to 25 ppm and lower airway and chronic pulmonary obstruction at 5 to 30 ppm [NRC 1981]. |
| Odor Threshold Low | 0.02 ppm |
| Odor Threshold High | 1.9 ppm |
| RD50 | 3 ppm |
| Lethal Concentration | LC50 (mice) = 454 mg/m3/4H |
| Explanatory Notes | Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; In HSDB: odor threshold = 0.5-1 ppm; another reference in HSDB gives odor threshold of 1.47 mg/m3 (1.2 ppm) to 73.5 mg/m3 (60 ppm); |
| Half Life | Urine (for formic acid): 80-90 minutes; [TDR, p. 713] |
| Reference Link | |
| Flammability (NFPA) | |
| Adverse Effects | |
| Skin Sensitizer | Yes |
| Asthma | Yes |
| Toxic Pneumonitis | Yes |
| Dermatotoxin | Skin Burns |
| IARC Carcinogen | Known Carcinogen |
| Links to Other NLM Databases | |
| Health Studies | Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: |
| Toxicity Information | |
| Chemical Information | |
| Biomedical References | |
| Related Information in HazMap | |
| Diseases | Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: |
| Processes | Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:
|
| Activities | Activities with risk of exposure: |
Agent Name
Formaldehyde
CAS Number
50-00-0
Formula
C-H2-O
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
Gas: Methanal; Methyl aldehyde; Methylene oxide; Aqueos: Formalin; [NIOSH]
Category
Aldehydes
Description
Nearly colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor; Formalin is an aqueous solution that is 37% formaldehyde by weight; inhibited solutions contain 6-12 % methyl alcohol. [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used in the production of formaldehyde resins, plywood, particle board, paper, and urea-formaldehyde foam; embalmers and laboratory workers may be exposed to levels above 1 ppm; [LaDou, p. 458] The major industrial consumers of formaldehyde resins are molded plastic parts, decorative laminates, photographic film, and plywood paneling. High formaldehyde exposures were documented in carpet installers and parquet tile fitters. Formaldehyde also exists as a polymer (paraformaldehyde) and as a trimer (sym-trioxane or trioxmethylene). [ACGIH] Occupational asthma reported in hospital workers; [Malo] Also at risk for asthma and allergic contact dermatitis are housekeeping personnel, machinists, and textile workers.
Comments
Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure; [CHRIS] Inhalation of formaldehyde can produce bronchospasm and pulmonary edema. [ATSDR Medical Management] Sold commercially as formalin in 37%, 44%, or 50% solutions of formaldehyde; Skin sensitization reported from coolants, photographic chemicals, paper, carpets, and fabric resins. [Marks, p. 88] [Occupational asthma due to formaldehyde. Burge PS et al. Thorax 1985 Apr;40(4):255-60.] There is sufficient evidence that formaldehyde causes nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia in humans. [IARC Monograph Volume 100F (2012): Formaldehyde]
Restricted
See 29CFR1910.1048 (Code of Federal Regulations)
Reference Link
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
No
Ceiling (ACGIH)
0.3 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
0.75 mg/m3, STEL(OSHA) = 2 ppm
MAK
0.3 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Human data: It has been reported that exposure to 10 to 20 ppm produces almost immediate eye irritation and a sharp burning sensation of the nose and throat which may be associated with sneezing, difficulty in taking a deep breath, and coughing; recovery is prompt from these transient effects [Kodak 1936�1960]. It has been estimated that exposure for 5 to 10 minutes to 50 to 100 ppm might cause serious injury to the lower respiratory passages [Kodak 1936-1960]. The following exposure-effect data has also been reported: Most subjects experience irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat at 1 to 3 ppm; many subjects cannot tolerate prolonged exposures to 4 to 5 ppm; and difficulty in breathing was experienced at 10 to 20 ppm [IARC 1982]. In a summary of health effects data, upper airway irritation and increased nasal airway resistance were reported at 0.1 to 25 ppm and lower airway and chronic pulmonary obstruction at 5 to 30 ppm [NRC 1981].
Odor Threshold Low
0.02 ppm
Odor Threshold High
1.9 ppm
RD50
3 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (mice) = 454 mg/m3/4H
Explanatory Notes
Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; In HSDB: odor threshold = 0.5-1 ppm; another reference in HSDB gives odor threshold of 1.47 mg/m3 (1.2 ppm) to 73.5 mg/m3 (60 ppm);
Half Life
Urine (for formic acid): 80-90 minutes; [TDR, p. 713]
Reference Link
Flammability (NFPA)
Adverse Effects
Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Asthma
Yes
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Dermatotoxin
Skin Burns
IARC Carcinogen
Known Carcinogen
Links to Other NLM Databases
Toxicity Information
Chemical Information
Biomedical References
Related Information in HazMap
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:
- Dressing Hair
- Electroplating
- Fur Dressing and Dyeing
- Leather Tanning and Processing
- Metal Machining
- Molding and Core Making
- Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)
- Photographic Processing
- Plastic Composites Manufacturing
- Pulp and Paper Processing
- Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Sterilizing Equipment
- Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)
- Using Disinfectants or Biocides
- Working with Glues and Adhesives
Activities
Activities with risk of exposure: