| Agent Name |
Formaldehyde |
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| CAS Number |
50-00-0 |
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| Formula |
C-H2-O |
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| Major Category |
Other Classes |
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| Synonyms |
Gas: Methanal; Methyl aldehyde; Methylene oxide; Aqueos: Formalin; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Aldehydes |
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| 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] |
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| 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. |
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| 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.] |
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| Restricted |
See 29CFR1910.1048 (Code of Federal Regulations) |
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| Reference Link |
OSHA Technical Links: Formaldehyde |
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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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| 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]. |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.02 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
1.9 ppm |
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| RD50 |
3 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (mice) = 454 mg/m3/4H |
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| 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); |
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| Half Life |
Urine (for formic acid): 80-90 minutes; [TDR, p. 713] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR Medical Management - Formaldehyde |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
4: burns readily |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| 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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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: FORMALDEHYDE
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