FORMALDEHYDE | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Chemical Identification
CAS #	50-00-0
Formula	CH₂O
Synonyms	methanal, methyl aldehyde, methylene oxide, formalin, oxymethylene, formic aldehyde, oxymethylene

Physical Properties
Physical description	Colorless aqueous solution of formaldehyde with a pungent, irritating odor. Gas at ordinary conditions.
Boiling point	-6°F	Molecular weight	30
Freezing point/melting point	-134°F	Vapor pressure	>1 atm
Flash point	varies from 122-141°F	Vapor density	1.04
Specific gravity		Ionization potential	10.88 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL)	7%	Upper explosive limit (UEL)	73%
NFPA health rating	3	NFPA fire rating	4
NFPA reactivity rating	0	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	1290	1290
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media	XAD-2 tube (150/75 mg) coated with 10% 2-(hydroxymethyl)piperidine [SKC 226-117]	XAD-2 tube (23/45 mg) coated with 10% 2-(hydroxymethyl)piperidine [SKC 226-54]
Sampling time^*	240 min	15 min
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	24 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.1 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*		3 L
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*		0.2 L/min
Analytical method instruments	GC-NPD	GC-NPD
Method reference	OSHA 52 (fully validated)	OSHA 52 (fully validated)
Notes	When formaldehyde and acrolein are sampled together, their sample volume must be 24 L	Only use for formaldehyde STEL sampling.
Special requirements

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device	Detector tubes	Detector tubes	Detector tube	Detector tube
Model/Type	Matheson-Kitagawa 8014-171SB, 8014-171SA, 8014-171SC	Gastec 91, 91M, 91L, 91LL	Dräger - Formaldehyde 0.2/a, 6733081	Dräger - Formaldehyde 2/a, 8101751
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)	ranges vary, follow mfr instructions	91: 0.5-2 strokes, 0.5-100 ppm range, uncertainty 25% for 2 to 6 ppm, 16.4% for 6 to 20 ppm, 91M: 0.5-2 strokes, approx 4-6400 ppm range, uncertainty 16.4% for 8 to 200 ppm, 8.2% for 500 to 2000 ppm, 91L: 1-2 strokes, approx 0.05-40 ppm range, uncertainty	10 or 20 strokes, 0.1-5 ppm range, 33% uncertainty	5 strokes, 0.5- 40 ppm range, 33% uncertainty

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	0.75 ppm [0.5 ppm Action Level]	REL-TWA	0.016 ppm	TLV-TWA	0.1 ppm [2016]	PEL-TWA	0.75 ppm [0.50 ppm Action Level]
PEL-STEL	2 ppm	REL-STEL		TLV-STEL	0.3 ppm [2016]	PEL-STEL	2 ppm
PEL-C		REL-C	0.1 ppm [15 minutes]	TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	N	Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1048, Formaldehyde.		Notes: CARCINOGEN (Ca): REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LOWEST FEASIBLE CONCENTRATION. See Appendix A, NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens.		Notes: respiratory sensitizer (RSEN), dermal sensitizer (DSEN)		Notes: See California Code of Regulations; Title 8, §5217. Formaldehyde.
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	20 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: IARC-1, NIOSH-Ca, NTP-R, OSHA-Ca, TLV-A1, EPA-B1		Notes: Ca
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3: 1 ppm/10 ppm/40 ppm

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Formaldehyde

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Formaldehyde

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Formaldehyde. See annual publication for most recent information.
EPA: Hazard Summary - Formaldehyde.
ATSDR: Toxicological profile for formaldehyde. July 1999 (Addendum 2010).
Collins, J.J., Esman, N.A., Hall, T.A.: A review and meta-analysis of formaldehyde exposure and pancreatic cancer. Am J Ind Med. 39(3):336-45, March 2001.
EPA IRIS Formaldehyde 1991.
Hauptmann, M., Lubin, J.H., Stewart, P.A., Hayes, R.B., and Blair, A.: Mortality from solid cancers among workers in formaldehyde industries. Am J Epidemiol. 15;159(12):1117-30, June 2004.
Hauptmann, M., Stewart, P.A., Lubin, J.H., Beane Freeman, L.E., Hornung, R.W., Herrick, R.F., Hoover, R.N., Fraumeni, J.F. Jr., Blair, A., and Hayes, R.B.: Mortality from lymphohematopoietic malignancies and brain cancer among embalmers exposed to formaldehyde. J Natl Cancer Inst. 101(24):1696-708, December 16, 2009.
IARC Monographs on the evaluation of Carcinogenicity to Humans, volume 100F, Formaldehyde, 2012.
Kilburn, K.H.: Neurobehavioral impairment and seizures from formaldehyde. Arch Environ Health. 49(1):37-44, Jan-Feb 1994.
National Toxicology Program Report on Carcinogens Substance Profile Formaldehyde.
NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde. 1976.
NIOSH: Occupational Health Guideline for Formaldehyde. 1988.
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Toxic and Hazardous Substances - Formaldehyde. 29 CFR 1910.1048.
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Toxic and Hazardous Substances, Substance Technical Guidelines for Formalin. 29 CFR 1910.1048 App A.
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Toxic and Hazardous Substances, Medical Surveillance - Formaldehyde. 29 CFR 1910.1048 App C.
Stroup, N.E., Blair, A., and Erikson, G.E.: Brain cancer and other causes of death in anatomists. J Natl Cancer Inst. 77(6):1217-24, December 1986.

FORMALDEHYDE‡

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References