FURFURAL

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
2 3 1	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	2	Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
	Instability	1	Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
	Special

Colorless or reddish-brown mobile liquids with a penetrating odor. Flash points 140°F. Denser than water and soluble in water. Vapors heavier than air. May be toxic by ingestion, skin absorption or inhalation.

• Polymerizable
• Peroxidizable Compound

Flammable. This chemical is sensitive to light and air. Soluble in water, with mixing.

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Irritating vapors are generated when heated (USCG, 1999)

Vapor may irritate eyes and respiratory system. Liquid irritates skin and may cause dermatitis. (USCG, 1999)

FURFURAL reacts with sodium hydrogen carbonate. It also can react with strong oxidizers. An exothermic resinification of almost explosive violence can occur upon contact with strong mineral acids or alkalis. It forms condensation products with many types of compounds, including phenol, amines and urea. (NTP, 1992).

• Aldehydes
• Ethers
• Hydrocarbons, Aliphatic Unsaturated

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

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Dirt/Earth

Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible); polymerization 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 tank car or highway tank 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, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible); polymerization hazard]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.

LARGE FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam or water spray. 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, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. 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 in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible); polymerization hazard]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Furfural:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

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

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2024)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Furaldehyde, 2-	98-01-1	Liquid			198*/227	>480	>480	>480	>480	>480	>480
Furfural	98-01-1	Liquid			198*/227	>480	>480	>480	>480	>480	>480

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, 2024)

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Generally, the induction of vomiting is NOT recommended outside of a physician's care due to the risk of aspirating the chemical into the victim's lungs. However, if the victim is conscious and not convulsing and if medical help is not readily available, consider the risk of inducing vomiting because of the high toxicity of the chemical ingested. Ipecac syrup or salt water may be used in such an emergency. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital.

OTHER: Since this chemical is a known or suspected carcinogen you should contact a physician for advice regarding the possible long term health effects and potential recommendation for medical monitoring. Recommendations from the physician will depend upon the specific compound, its chemical, physical and toxicity properties, the exposure level, length of exposure, and the route of exposure. (NTP, 1992)

• ALPHA-FUROLE
• ARTIFICIAL ANT OIL
• ARTIFICIAL OIL OF ANTS
• 2-FORMYLFURAN
• FURAL
• FURAL/PYROMUCIC ALDEHYDE
• FURALDEHYDE
• 2-FURALDEHYDE
• FURALE
• 2-FURANALDEHYDE
• 2-FURANCARBALDEHYDE
• FURANCARBONAL
• 2-FURANCARBONAL
• 2-FURANCARBOXALDEHYDE
• FURFURAL
• 2-FURFURAL
• FURFURALDEHYDE
• 2-FURFURALDEHYDE
• FURFURALDEHYDES
• FURFUROL
• FURFUROLE
• FURFURYLALDEHYDE
• FUROLE
• 2-FURYLALDEHYDE
• 2-FURYLCARBOXALDEHYDE
• 2-FURYLMETHANAL
• NCI-C56177
• PYROMUCIC ALDEHYDE
• QUAKERAL
• U1199