Formaldehyde SDS

Acute toxicity - Category 3, Oral

Acute toxicity - Category 3, Dermal

Skin corrosion, Sub-category 1B

Skin sensitization, Category 1

Acute toxicity - Category 3, Inhalation

Germ cell mutagenicity, Category 2

Carcinogenicity, Category 1B

H301 Toxic if swallowed

H311 Toxic in contact with skin

H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction

H331 Toxic if inhaled

H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects

H350 May cause cancer

P264 Wash ... thoroughly after handling.

P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.

P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/...

P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P261 Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.

P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.

P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.

P321 Specific treatment (see ... on this label).

P330 Rinse mouth.

P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water/...

P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.

P361+P364 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse.

P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.

P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.

P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.

P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.

P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse.

P318 IF exposed or concerned, get medical advice.

P405 Store locked up.

P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.

P501 Dispose of contents/container to an appropriate treatment and disposal facility in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and product characteristics at time of disposal.

no data available

Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Seek medical attention if you feel unwell.

Rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible). Refer immediately for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Refer immediately for medical attention.

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 (NIOSH, 2016)

The probable oral lethal dose for humans is 0.5-5 g/kg, or between 1 ounce and 1 pint for a 150 pound person. Acute -- below 1 ppm, odor perceptible to most. 2-3 ppm, mild tingling of eyes. 4-5 ppm, increased discomfort, mild lacrimation. 10 ppm, profuse lacrimation; can be withstood only for few minutes. 10-20 ppm, breathing difficult, cough, severe burning of nose and throat. 50-100 ppm, acute irritation of respiratory tract, very serious injury likely. Skin -- primary irritation from strong solutions, gas. Delayed -- sensitization dermatitis. Suspected carcinogen. Effects in women include menstrual disorders and secondary sterility. Solutions splashed in eyes have caused injuries ranging from severe, permanent corneal opacification and loss of vision to minor discomfort. In people sensitized to formaldehyde, late asthmatic reactions may be provoked by brief exposures at approximately 3 ppm. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 132 [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]: May cause toxic effects if inhaled or ingested/swallowed. Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution. (ERG, 2016)

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)

Emergency and supportive measures: 1. Maintain open airway and assist ventilation if necessary. 2. Inhalation. Treat bronchospasm and pulmonary edema if they occur. Administer supplemental oxygen, and observe for at least 4 to 6 hours. 3. Ingestion. a. Treat coma and shock if they occur. b. Administer intravenous saline or other crystalloids to replace fluid losses caused by gastroenteritis. Avoid fluid overload in patients with inhalation exposure because of the risk of pulmonary edema. c. Treat metabolic acidosis with sodium bicarbonate.

Use water spray, dry chemical, alcohol foam, or carbon dioxide. Use water to keep fire exposed containers cool. If leak or spill has not ignited, use water spray to disperse vapors, and to protect men attempting to stop leak. Water spray may be used to flush spills away from exposures and to dilute spills to nonflammable mixtures.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 171 [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]: Some may burn but none ignite readily. Containers may explode when heated. Some may be transported hot. For UN3508, be aware of possible short circuiting as this product is transported in a charged state. (ERG, 2016)

Toxic vapors such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are generated during combustion. Explosion hazard: when aqueous formaldehyde solutions are heated above their flash points, a potential for explosion hazard exists. High formaldehyde concentration or methanol content lowers flash point. Reacts with nitrogen oxides at about 180; the reaction becomes explosive. Also reacts violently with perchloric acid-aniline, performic acid, nitromethane, magnesium carbonate, and hydrogen peroxide. When heated, irritant formaldehyde gas evolved from solution. The main products of decomposition are carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Metals such as platinum, copper, chromia, and alumina also catalyze the formation of methanol, methylformate, formic acid, carbon dioxide, and methane. Reacts with peroxide, nitrogen oxide, and performic acid causing explosions. Can react with hydrogen chloride or other inorganic chlorides to form bis-chloromethylether (BCME), a known carcinogen. Very reactive, combines readily with many substances, 40% solution is powerful reducing agent. Incompatible with amines, azo compounds, dithiocarbamates, alkali and alkaline earth metals, nitrides, nitro compounds, unsaturated aliphatics and sulfides, organic peroxides, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents. Aqueous solutions are unstable. Commercial formaldehyde-alcohol solutions are stable. Gas is stable in absence of water. Avoid oxidizing and alkaline materials. Hazardous polymerization may occur. Compound will polymerize with active organic materials such as phenol. Will polymerize violently in the presence of caustics and nitrides; (amines) exothermic reaction, (Azo compound) exothermic reaction giving off nitrogen gas, (caustics) heat generation and violent polymerization, (dithiocarbamates) formation of flammable gases and toxic fumes, formation of carbon disulfide may result, (alkali and alkaline earth metals) heat generation and formation of a flammable hydrogen gas. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 132 [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]: Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids are lighter than water. (ERG, 2016)

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

Use water in large amounts, water spray.

Personal protection: chemical protection suit and filter respirator for organic gases and vapours adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Ventilation. Remove all ignition sources. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment.

Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Personal protection: gas-tight chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Remove all ignition sources. Turn off gas at source if possible. Remove gas with fine water spray.

Use fluorocarbon water spray, Cellosize and Hycar to diminish vapors. Sodium carbonate, ammonium hydroxide, or sodium sulfite can neutralize the spill.

NO open flames. Handling in a well ventilated place. Wear suitable protective clothing. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Use non-sparking tools. Prevent fire caused by electrostatic discharge steam.

Fireproof. Cool. Separated from incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers.... Minimum storage temperature to prevent polymerization range from 83 deg F for 37% formaldehyde containing 0.05% methyl alcohol to 29 deg F for formaldehyde containing 15% methyl alcohol.

TLV: 0.1 ppm as TWA; 0.3 ppm as STEL; (SEN); A1 (confirmed human carcinogen).MAK: 0.37 mg/m3, 0.3 ppm; peak limitation category: I(2); sensitization of skin (SH); carcinogen category: 4; pregnancy risk group: C; germ cell mutagen group: 5

no data available

Ensure adequate ventilation. Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Set up emergency exits and the risk-elimination area.

Wear face shield or eye protection in combination with breathing protection.

Protective gloves. Protective clothing.

Use local exhaust or breathing protection.

no data available

NIOSH considers formaldehyde to be a potential occupational carcinogen. /Formaldehyde/ Formalin (as formaldehyde)

The substance polymerizes in contact with alkalies and if dissolved in water. Upon heating, toxic fumes are formed. Reacts violently with strong oxidants, strong acids and strong bases. This generates explosion hazard.

The substance may polymerize if it is not stabilized. Reacts with acids and strong oxidants.

Decomposes on heating and on contact with acids, bases and oxidants. This produces flammable formaldehyde.

On standing, especially in the cold, may become cloudy, and on exposure to very low temperature ppt of trioxymethylene formed; in air it slowly oxidizes to formic acid /40% solution/.

Flammable liquid when exposed to heat or flame; can react vigorously with oxidizers. ... The gas is a more dangerous fire hazard than the vapor.The gas mixes well with air, explosive mixtures are easily formed.,Dust explosion possible if in powder or granular form, mixed with air. If dry, it can be charged electrostatically by swirling, pneumatic transport, pouring, etc.FORMALDEHYDE (ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, SOLID, N.O.S.) 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.

no data available

Amines) exothermic reaction, (AZO cmpd) exothermic reaction giving off nitrogen gas, (caustics) heat generation and violent polymerization, (dithiocarbamates) formation of flammable gasses and toxic fumes, formation of carbon disulfide may result, (alkali and alkaline earth metals) heat generation and formation of flammable hydrogen gas, (nitrides) heat generation, formation of flammable ammonia gas and violent polymerization, (nitro compd) heat generation, (unsaturated aliphatics and sulfides) heat generation, (organic peroxides) violent reaction, (oxidizing agents) heat generation, fire, and decomposition, (reducing agents) heat generation and formation of flammable gasses. From table

Uncatalyzed decomposition is very slow below 300 deg C; extrapolation of kinetic data to 400 deg C indicates that the rate of decomposition is about 0.44%/min at 101 kPa (1 atm). The main products are carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Metals such as platinium, copper, chromia, and alumina also catalyze the formation of methanol, methylformate, formic acid, carbon dioxide, and methane.

no data available

no data available

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There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde causes cancer of the nasopharynx and leukaemia. Also, a positive association has been observed between exposure to formaldehyde and sinonasal cancer. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde. The Working Group was not in full agreement on the evaluation of formaldehyde causing leukaemias in humans, with a small majority viewing the evidence as sufficient of carcinogenicity and the minority viewing the evidence as limited. Particularly relevant to the discussions regarding sufficient evidence was a recent study accepted for publication which, for the first time, reported aneuploidy in blood of exposed workers characteristic of myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, with supporting information suggesting a decrease in the major circulating blood-cell types and in circulating haematological precursor cells. The authors and Working Group felt that this study needed to be replicated. Formaldehyde is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).

An increased incidence of menstrual disorders were observed in female workers using urea-formaldehyde resins. However, possible confounding factors were not evaluated in this study. A study of hospital equipment sterilizing workers did not report an association between formaldehyde exposure and increased spontaneous abortions. Developmental effects, such as birth defects, have not been observed in animal studies with formaldehyde.

The substance is severely irritating to the eyes and skin. The vapour is severely irritating to the respiratory tract. Inhalation of high concentrations may cause lung oedema, but only after initial corrosive effects on the eyes and the upper respiratory tract have become manifest.

Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. Repeated or chronic inhalation of the vapour may cause chronic inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. This substance is carcinogenic to humans.

A harmful contamination of the air can be reached rather quickly on evaporation of this substance at 20°C.

AEROBIC: Formaldehyde, present at 100 mg/L, reached 91% of its theoretical BOD in 2 weeks using an activated sludge inoculum at 30 mg/L in the Japanese MITI test which classified the compound as readily biodegradable(1). Using OECD Guide-line 301D (Ready Biodegradability: Closed Bottle Test), formaldehyde achieved 90% in 28 days using non-acclimated inoculum which classified the compound as readily biodegradable(2). Formaldehyde in aqueous effluent was degraded by activated sludge and sewage in 48-72 hr(3-6). In a die-away test using water from a stagnant lake, degradation was complete in 30 hours under aerobic conditions(6). Other biodegradation screening tests gave half-lives ranging from <1 to 17.3 days(7-12).

An estimated BCF of 3 was calculated for formaldehyde(SRC), using a log Kow of 0.35(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Experiments performed on a variety of fish and shrimp showed no bioconcentration of formaldehyde(4,5).

The Koc of formaldehyde is estimated as 8(SRC), using a log Kow of 0.35(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that formaldehyde is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Formaldehyde gas adsorbs on clay minerals to a degree at high gas concentrations which is an important quality in its use as a soil fumigant(4). In addition, formaldehyde may interact with humic substances in soil(5) resulting in decreased mobility.

no data available

The material can be disposed of by removal to a licensed chemical destruction plant or by controlled incineration with flue gas scrubbing. Do not contaminate water, foodstuffs, feed or seed by storage or disposal. Do not discharge to sewer systems.

Containers can be triply rinsed (or equivalent) and offered for recycling or reconditioning. Alternatively, the packaging can be punctured to make it unusable for other purposes and then be disposed of in a sanitary landfill. Controlled incineration with flue gas scrubbing is possible for combustible packaging materials.

ADR/RID: UN1198 (For reference only, please check.)

IMDG: UN1198 (For reference only, please check.)

IATA: UN1198 (For reference only, please check.)

ADR/RID: FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION, FLAMMABLE (For reference only, please check.)

IMDG: FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION, FLAMMABLE (For reference only, please check.)

IATA: FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION, FLAMMABLE (For reference only, please check.)

ADR/RID: 3 (For reference only, please check.)

IMDG: 3 (For reference only, please check.)

IATA: 3 (For reference only, please check.)

ADR/RID: III (For reference only, please check.)

IMDG: III (For reference only, please check.)

IATA: III (For reference only, please check.)

ADR/RID: No

IMDG: No

IATA: No

no data available

no data available

Immediate administration of an appropriate inhalation therapy by a doctor, or by an authorized person, should be considered.Methanol, added as stabilizer or inhibitor to commercial formulations, can influence the physical and toxicological properties of this substance.See ICSC 0057.