Hazardous Combustion or Decomposition Products: Oxygen from the air can oxidize formaldehyde to formic acid, especially when heated. A violent reaction occurs when formaldehyde is mixed with strong oxidizers.
Formaldehyde reacts with nitrogen dioxide, nitromethane, perchloric acid and aniline, or peroxyformic acid to yield explosive compounds. Formaldehyde reacts with hydrochloric acid to form the potent carcinogen, bis-chloromethyl ether. Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): Strong oxidizing agents, caustics, strong alkalies, isocyanates, anhydrides, oxides, and inorganic acids. Stability: Formaldehyde solutions may self-polymerize to form paraformaldehyde which precipitates. Normal fire fighting procedures may be used. Reactivity: D-Materials which (in themselves) are normally stable even under fire exposure conditions and which are not reactive with water. Water spray may be used to extinguish the fire because the material can be cooled below its flash point. Health: 2-Materials hazardous to health, but areas may be entered with full-faced mask self-contained breathing apparatus which provides eye protection.įlammability: 2-Materials which must be moderately heated before ignition will occur. National Fire Protection Association Section 325M Designation: Water runoff, however, should be contained for treatment. Use of water spray to flush spills can also dilute the spill to produce nonflammable mixtures. Cool fire-exposed containers with water from side until well after fire is out. C)įlammability (OSHA): Category 4 flammable liquidĮxtinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, "alcohol foam", carbon dioxide, or water in flooding amounts as fog. C) closed cupĪutoignition Temperature: 806 deg. Reaction of formaldehyde with nitrogen dioxide, nitromethane, perchloric acid and aniline, or peroxyformic acid yields explosive compounds.įlash Point: 185 deg. The flash point of 37 percent formaldehyde solutions is above normal room temperature, but the explosion range is very wide, from 7 to 73 percent by volume in air. Moderate fire and explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame.
Solvent Solubility: Soluble in alcohol and acetone Other Contaminants: Formic acid (alcohol free) Exposure Limits:ĭescription: Colorless liquid, pungent odor (Note.-Inhibited solutions contain methanol.) Synonyms: Formalin Formic Aldehyde Paraform Formol Formalin (Methanol-free) Fyde Formalith Methanal Methyl Aldehyde Methylene Glycol Methylene Oxide Tetraoxymethalene Oxomethane Oxymethylene Individual Substance Technical Guidelines used by the employer for training employees should be modified to properly give information on the material actually being used.Ĭhemical Abstracts Service Number (CAS Number): 50-00-0
#Breathing zone concentration skin
For example, 37-50 percent solutions of formaldehyde present a much greater hazard to the skin and eyes from spills or splashes than solutions containing less than 1 percent formaldehyde. The precise hazards associated with exposure to formaldehyde depend both on the form (solid, liquid, or gas) of the material and the concentration of formaldehyde present. When employee exposure to formaldehyde is from resins capable of releasing formaldehyde, the resin itself and other impurities or decomposition products may also be toxic, and employers should include this information as well when informing employees of the hazards associated with the materials they handle. Much of the information provided is general however, some information is specific for formalin. It is designed to inform employees at the production level of their rights and duties under the formaldehyde standard whether their job title defines them as workers or supervisors. The following Substance Technical Guideline for Formalin provides information on uninhibited formalin solution (37 percent formaldehyde, no methanol stabilizer).