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Chemical Datasheet

FORMALDEHYDE

9 - Miscellaneous hazardous material

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 50-00-0
  • 3077
  • Class 9
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Formaldehyde
  • FORMALDEHYDE
  • FORMALDEHYDE (37% SOLUTION, methanol free)
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
2
3 0
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 2 Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
Solids containing varying amounts of formaldehyde, probably as paraformaldehyde (polymers of formula HO(CH2O)xH where x averages about 30). A hazard to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
No rapid reaction with air. No rapid reaction with water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

Some may burn but none ignite readily. Containers may explode when heated. Some may be transported hot. For UN3508, Capacitor, asymmetric, be aware of possible short circuiting as this product is transported in a charged state. Polymeric beads, expandable (UN2211) may evolve flammable vapours. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Formaldehyde:

Exposure Routes: Inhalation, skin and/or eye contact

Symptoms: Irritation eyes, nose, throat, respiratory system; lacrimation (discharge of tears); cough; wheezing; [potential occupational carcinogen]

Target Organs: Eyes, respiratory system

Cancer Site: Nasal cancer (NIOSH, 2023)
Reactivity Profile
FORMALDEHYDE may react violently with strong oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide, performic acid, perchloric acid in the presence of aniline, potassium permanganate, nitromethane). May react with bases (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonia), and with nitrogen dioxide (explosive reaction around 180°C). May react with hydrochloric acid to form highly toxic bis(chloromethyl) ether. Polymerization reaction with phenol may develop sudden destructive pressure [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p.168]. May generate flammable and/or toxic gases in combination with azo, diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. May generate toxic formaldehyde gas when heated. Can react with air to give first peroxo acids, and ultimately formic acid. These reactions are activated by light, catalyzed by salts of transition metals, and are autocatalytic (catalyzed by the products of the reaction). Incompatible with liquid oxygen.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. Do not scatter spilled material with high-pressure water streams. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent dust cloud. For Asbestos, avoid inhalation of dust. Cover spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading. Do not clean up or dispose of, except under supervision of a specialist.

SMALL DRY SPILL: With clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.

SMALL SPILL: Pick up with sand or other non-combustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Formaldehyde:

Skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for personal protective equipment for the body.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).

Remove: No recommendation is made specifying the need for removing clothing that becomes wet or contaminated.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Formaldehyde (100 ppm) 50-00-0 Vapor >480 >480 >480
Formaldehyde (37%) 50-00-0 Liquid >480 >480 >480 >480
Formalin (100 ppm) 50-00-0 Vapor >480 >480 >480
Formalin (3.7%, 1-1.5% Methanol) 50-00-0 Liquid >480
Formalin (37% (10-15% Methanol)) 50-00-0 Liquid imm >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
Formalin (37%) 50-00-0 Liquid >480 >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.
"imm" indicates immediate; having a normalized breakthrough time of 10 minutes or less.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Formaldehyde:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible. (NIOSH, 2023)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • CH2O
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 7 % (NIOSH, 2023)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 73 % (NIOSH, 2023)
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -134°F (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Pressure: greater than 1 atm (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 1.04 (NIOSH, 2023) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: -6°F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2023)
Molecular Weight: 30 (NIOSH, 2023)
Water Solubility: Miscible (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 10.88 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 20 ppm ; A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for Formaldehyde (50-00-0)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 0.9 ppm 14 ppm 100 ppm
30 minutes 0.9 ppm 14 ppm 70 ppm
60 minutes 0.9 ppm 14 ppm 56 ppm
4 hours 0.9 ppm 14 ppm 35 ppm
8 hours 0.9 ppm 14 ppm 35 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Formaldehyde (50-00-0) 1 ppm star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 10 ppm 40 ppm
star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Formaldehyde (50-00-0) 0.9 ppm 14 ppm 56 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Formaldehyde 50-00-0 500 pounds 100 pounds 100 pounds 313 U122 15000 pounds
Formaldehyde (solution) 50-00-0 500 pounds 100 pounds 100 pounds X U122 15000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Formaldehyde (solution) 50-00-0 1.00 % 15000 pounds toxic

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Formaldehyde (Formalin) 50-00-0 1000 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names