PARAFORMALDEHYDE

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

A white solid with a light pungent odor. A linear polymer of formaldehyde of formula HO(CH2-O)xH where x averages about 30. Soluble in water when x is less than 12; higher polymers are not immediately soluble. Slow dissolution in water proceeds by means of hydrolysis to give fragments of lower x. Flammable, although may take some effort to ignite. Flash point 158°F. Used in fungicides, bactericides, and in the manufacture of adhesives. A hazard to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment.

none

Flammable. Forms aqueous solution of formaldehyde, often quite slowly.

Behavior in Fire: Changes to formaldehyde gas, which is highly flammable. (USCG, 1999)

Vapor or dust irritates eyes, mucous membranes, and skin; may cause dermatitis. Ingestion of solid or of a solution in water irritates mouth, throat, and stomach and may cause death. (USCG, 1999)

PARAFORMALDEHYDE 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). Reacts 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. Generates 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.

• Alcohols and Polyols
• Ethers

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

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents

Excerpt from 133 [Flammable Solids]:

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

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).

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)

Excerpt from 133 [Flammable Solids]:

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

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Fire Involving Metal Pigments or Pastes (e.g. "Aluminum Paste") Aluminum Paste fires should be treated as a combustible metal fire. Use DRY sand, graphite powder, dry sodium chloride-based extinguishers or class D extinguishers. Also, see 170 .

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. 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)

Excerpt from 133 [Flammable Solids]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

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

LARGE SPILL: Wet down with water and dike for later disposal. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)

Goggles or face shield; protective clothing. (USCG, 1999)

No information available.

INGESTION: give milk or white of egg beaten with water; call a doctor.

SKIN OR EYES: rinse with copious amounts of water. (USCG, 1999)

• ALDACIDE
• FLO-MOR
• FORMALDEHYDE POLYMER
• PARAFORM
• PARAFORMALDEHYDE
• POLYFORMALDEHYDE
• POLYOXYMETHYLENE
• POLYOXYMETHYLENE GLYCOL