Common Name: Formaldehyde CAS Number: 50-00-0 DOT Number: UN 2209 Date: May, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Formaldehyde can affect you when breathed and by passing through skin. * Formaldehyde is a CARCINOGEN HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Exposure irritates the eyes, nose, and throat and can cause skin and lung allergy. Higher levels can cause throat spasm and a build up of fluid in the lungs, a medical emergency. * Contact can cause severe eye and skin burns, leading to permanent damage. These may appear hours after exposure, even if no pain is felt. * Formaldehyde is a HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUID/GAS and a DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. IDENTIFICATION Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a strong odor, mixed in solutions with water or methanol. It is used as a germicide, an embalming fluid and in home insulation and pressed wood products. REASON FOR CITATION * Formaldehyde is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by NIOSH, ACGIH, IARC, DOT, NTP, CAG, NFPA and EPA. * This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN. * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting air samples. Under OSHA 1910.20, you have a legal right to obtain copies of sampling results from you employer. If you think you are experiencing any work related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. * ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.83 ppm. * The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 3 ppm averaged over an 8 hour work shift; 5 ppm, which shall not be exceeded at any time, and 10 ppm which shall not be exceeded in any 30 minute period. NIOSH: NIOSH recommends the lowest feasible limit for this cancer causing substance. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 1 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 2 ppm as a STEL (short term exposure limit). * Formaldehyde is a PROBABLE CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. Skin contact may also cause overexposure. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * A regulated, marked area should be established where Formaldehyde is handled, used, or stored. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Formaldehyde and at the end of the workshift. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Formaldehyde: * Liquid Formaldehyde may irritate the skin, causing a rash or burning feeling on contact. It can also cause severe burns, leading to permanent damage. The burns may be delayed for hours after contact, even is no burn is felt at first. * Contact can cause severe eye burns. These also may be delayed for hours * Exposure irritates the nose, mouth and throat. Higher concentrations can cause a build up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) or spasm of the windpipe. This can cause death. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Formaldehyde and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Formaldehyde is a PROBABLE CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans. It has been shown to cause cancer of the nasal passages in animals. * Many scientists believe that there is no safe level of exposure to a cancer causing agent. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. Reproductive Hazard * There is not enough information to determine the ability of Formaldehyde to affect reproduction adversely. Other Long Term Effects * Formaldehyde may cause a skin allergy. If an allergy develops, very low future exposures can cause itching and a skin rash. * It may also cause an asthma like allergy. Future exposures can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and/or chest tightness. * Repeated exposures may cause bronchitis, with symptoms of cough and shortness of breath. * Although Formaldehyde is a food product, breathing it (powder or mist) could cause effects different from eating it. For example, many plant products when breathed in can cause lung allergy, with cough, wheezing and/ or tightness in the chest. It is not known whether Formaldehyde also has this effect. If allergy occurs, even low future exposures can cause symptoms. MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater) the following are recommended before be ginning work and at regular times after that: * Lung function tests. * Interview for brain effects, including recent memory, mood (irritability, withdrawal), concentration, headaches, malaise and altered sleep patterns. Consider cerebellar, autonomic and peripheral nervous system evaluation. Positive and borderline individuals should be referred for neuropsychological testing. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy * Consider chest x ray after acute overexposure. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. Mixed Exposures * Vapors of Formaldehyde can react with Hydrogen Chloride exposure is also present, to form a potent human CANCER CAUSING agent (Bis Chloromethyl Ether). * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Formaldehyde from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde #77 126. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Formaldehyde should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Formaldehyde. * Eye wash fountains in the immediate work area should be provided for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Formaldehyde, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Formaldehyde at the end of each work day, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Formaldehyde is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Formaldehyde. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Eye protection is included in the recommended respiratory protection. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Formaldehyde does not occur. * At any exposure level, use an MSHA/ NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet operated in the continuous flow mode. An MSHA/ NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode is also recommended. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Formaldehyde you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * A regulated, marked area should be established where Formaldehyde is handled, used, or stored. * Formaldehyde must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS (such as PERMANGANATES, NITRATES, PEROXIDES, CHLORATES and PERCHLORATES), and ALKALINE MATERIALS, since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated area away from HEAT, SPARKS or FLAMES. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Formaldehyde is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. * Use only non sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of Formaldehyde. * Wherever Formaldehyde is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion proof electrical equipment and fittings. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Formaldehyde is found in the atmosphere over industrial areas from the incomplete combustion of organic matter such as coal and wood. It is used, in solution, to disinfect dwellings and storage places. It has pesticidal qualities and is used as a fungicide and insecticide. There are many uses for formaldehyde in manufacturing processes from tanning hides to producing explosives. It most likely occurs in natural waters from industrial discharges. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Formaldehyde has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of formaldehyde to plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Formaldehyde has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Formaldehyde may cause cancer and other chronic effects in laboratory rodents. Birds and terrestrial animals exposed to formaldehyde could show similar effects. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of formaldehyde to plants. WATER SOLUBILITY Formaldehyde is highly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1,000 milligrams and more will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Formaldehyde is slightly persistent in water, with a half-life of between 2 to 20 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 99% of formaldehyde will eventually end up in air; the rest will end up in the water. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of formaldehyde found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of formaldehyde in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA., Phytotox.