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Formaldehyde |
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Formaldehyde exposure is most common through gas-phase inhalation. However, it
can also occur through liquid-phase skin absorption. Workers may be exposed during direct
production, treatment of materials, and production of resins. Health care professionals;
pathology and histology technicians; and teachers and students who handle preserved
specimens are potentially at high risk. Consumers may receive exposures from building
materials, cosmetics, home furnishings, and textiles. The following references provide
information about the management of occupational exposures to formaldehyde.
- Dermal Exposure.
OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page. Addresses dermal hazards to chemicals that can cause dermatitis or otherwise
damage the skin, as well as to chemicals that can enter the body through intact skin and cause other toxic effects.
- Druzik CM. Formaldehyde:
Detection and Mitigation. Western Association for Art
Conservation (WAAC). 1991 May;13(2):13-6. Discusses detection of low ppb levels of formaldehyde in museum atmospheres.
Medical Management
Sampling and Analysis
- Formaldehyde. OSHA
Chemical Sampling Information. Provides a summary of physical and chemical
properties, health effects, and sampling and analysis procedures. Sampling Information for
aldehydes in general is
also available.
- Acrolein
and/or Formaldehyde.
OSHA Method 52, (1989, June). Includes validated sampling and analysis method for the determination of formaldehyde in workplace air.
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Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
(1994, August 15). NIOSH has developed the following methods for the
determination of formaldehyde.
- Formaldehyde. Method No. 2016. 176 KB
PDF, 7 pages.
- Formaldehyde by GC. Method No. 2541. 29 KB
PDF, 5 pages.
- Formaldehyde by VIS. Method No. 3500. 31 KB
PDF, 5 pages.
- Formaldehyde on Dust (Textile or Wood). Method
No. 5700.
30 KB
PDF, 5 pages.
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Sampling
and Analysis. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page. Provides chemical sampling and analysis information to aid occupational health and safety
professionals to assess workplace contaminants and associated worker exposures.
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