Department of Labor Seal photos representing the workforce - digital imagery© copyright 2001 photodisc, inc.
Department of Labor Seal www.osha.gov  [skip navigational links] Search    Advanced Search | A-Z Index
<< Chemical Sampling Information (CSI) Link to Printing InstructionsPrinting Instructions
Chemical Sampling Information (CSI) Chemical Sampling Information
Acetaldehyde

Quick Links
Search
  
[use word(s)/phrase]
Table of Contents
By Name
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N
O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


By CAS Number
General Description
    Synonyms: Ethanal; Acetic Aldehyde; Rosin Core Solder Pyrolysis Product

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0010

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 75-07-0

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: AB1925000

    Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101): 1089 129 [27 KB, PDF]

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Acetaldehyde: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 200 ppm, 360 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 200 ppm, 360 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 200 ppm, 360 mg/m3 TWA

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 25 ppm, 45 mg/m3 Ceiling; Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans

    NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): none established, Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens; Appendix C - Supplementary Exposure Limits (Aldehydes)
Health Factors
    National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Reasonably Anticipated to be Human Carcinogen [203 KB, PDF]

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 2B, Possibly carcinogenic to humans. [381 KB, PDF]

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Group B2, probable human carcinogen.

    NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 2,000 ppm

    Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, nose, throat; conjunctivitis; cough; CNS depression; eye, skin burns; dermatitis; delayed pulmonary edema; in animals: kidney, reproductive, teratogenic effects; [potential occupational carcinogen]; INGES. ACUTE: Dizziness; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

    Health Effects: Irritation- Eye, nose, Throat, Skin---Marked (HE14); Narcosis (HE8); Pulmonary edema (HE11).

    Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, kidneys, CNS, reproductive system

    Notes:
    1. Vapor/air mixtures of acetaldehyde may be explosive.
    2. Acetaldehyde is listed by the FDA as a synthetic flavoring substance that is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for its intended use (21 CFR 182.60).
    3. EPA’s reference concentration (daily inhalational exposure likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious noncancer effects during a lifetime) for acetaldehyde is 0.009 mg/m3.
    4. Acetaldehyde is a metabolite of ethanol. People of Asian descent may be more susceptible to adverse health effects, including certain cancers, because of a high incidence of polymorphism in the enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase-2. Increased damage to respiratory epithelium in nose, pharynx, larynx and trachea (but not lung) from the inhalation of acetaldehyde for two weeks has been observed in mice lacking this enzyme, compared with normal mice.
    5. People with asthma may be more susceptible to acetaldehyde-induced bronchoconstriction, which is thought to involve histamine release.

    Date Last Revised: 03/19/2007

    Literature Basis:
    • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Acetaldehyde.
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Acetaldehyde.
    • EPA Air Toxics Website: Acetaldehyde. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
    • Oyama, T., Isse, T., Ogawa, M., Muto, M., Uchiyama, I. and Kawamoto, T.: Susceptibility to inhalation toxicity of acetaldehyde in Aldh2 knockout mice. Front. Biosci. 12: 1927-1934, 2007.
    • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Acetaldehyde. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 23-26.
    • Prieto, L., Gutierrez, V., Cervera, A. and Linana, J.: Airway obstruction induced by inhaled acetaldehyde in asthma: repeatability relationship to adenosine 5’-monophosphate responsiveness. J. Investig. Allergol. Clin. Immunol. 12(2): 91-98, 2002.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • sampling media: Coated XAD-2 Tube (450/225 mg sections) Coating is 10% (w/w) 2-(Hydroxymethyl)piperidine.
      analytical solvent: Toluene
      maximum volume: 3 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA)
      maximum volume: 0.75 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (STEL)
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/NPD
      method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 68)
      method classification: Fully Validated

    On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Dräger
      model/type: Acetaldehyde 100/a, order no. 67 26665
      sampling information: 20 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 1000 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 10 ppm
      overall uncertainty: 25%
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: AUER/MSA
      model/type: Acetaldehyde Formaldehyde-0,1, MSA P/N 497649, AUER P/N 5086-813
      sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
      upper measurement limit: 50 ppm
      detection limit: 1 ppm
      overall uncertainty: unknown
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
      model/type: 8014-133SB
      sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
      upper measurement limit: 140 ppm
      detection limit: 1 ppm
      overall uncertainty: unknown
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Gastec
      model/type: 92
      sampling information: 1 to 4 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 750 ppm
      detection limit: 2 ppm
      overall uncertainty: 16.4% for 10 to 100 ppm, 8.2% for 100 to 300 ppm
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

 
Back to TopBack to Top www.osha.gov www.dol.gov

Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey
Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210
Page last updated: 12/12/2007