| Agent Name |
Formalin |
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| CAS Number |
50-00-0 |
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| Formula |
C-H2-O |
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| Major Category |
Other Chemicals |
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| Synonyms |
Aldehyd mravenci [Czech]; Aldehyde formique [French]; Aldehyde formique [ISO-French]; Aldeide formica [Italian]; BFV; Dormol; FYDE; Fannoform; Formaldehyd [Czech, Polish]; Formaldehyde; Formaldehyde solution; Formaldehyde, gas; Formalin; Formalin 40; Formalin [JAN]; Formalin-loesungen [German]; Formalina [Italian]; Formaline [German]; Formalith; Formic aldehyde; Formol; Karsan; Lysoform; Methaldehyde; Methanal; Methyl aldehyde; Methylene oxide; Morbicid; Oplossingen [Dutch]; Oxomethane; Oxymethylene; Paraform; Superlysoform; [ChemIDplus] UN1198; UN2209 |
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| Category |
Aldehydes |
|---|
| Description |
Colorless liquid with a pungent odor; Formalin is an aqueous solution that is 37 % formaldehyde by weight; inhibited solutions contain 6-12 % methyl alcohol; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in the manufacture of resins and textiles, as a disinfectant, and as a laboratory fixative or preservative; [ChemIDplus] |
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| Comments |
Formaldehyde is sold commercially as formalin in solutions of 37%, 44% or 50%. See Formaldehyde. A severe eye and respiratory tract irritant, and my cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| Ceiling (ACGIH) |
0.3 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
0.75 ppm, STEL(OSHA) = 2 ppm |
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| MAK |
0.3 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
20 ppm |
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| Vapor Pressure |
1 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.02 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
1.9 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 203 mg/m3 |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Exposure limits are "as formaldehyde."; Flash point = 85 deg C; Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
2: high ambient temperature required |
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| Adverse Effects |
|---|
| Asthma |
Yes |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Probable Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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