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Safety and Health Topics |
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| Formaldehyde |
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Formaldehyde is common to
the chemical industry. The Eleventh Report on Carcinogens classifies it as
"reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" and reported US
production at 11.3 billion pounds in 1998. This ranked it 25th overall US
chemical production. International production was over 46 billion pounds in
2004, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It is well known as a preservative in medical laboratories, as an
embalming fluid, and as a sterilizer. Its primary use is in the production of resins and
as a chemical intermediate. Urea-formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde resins are used in
foam insulations, as adhesives in the production of particle board and plywood, and in the
treating of textiles.
The following questions link information relevant to formaldehyde in the
workplace.
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What OSHA standards apply?
Standards | Preambles to Final Rules | Directives | Standard Interpretations |
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How do I recognize formaldehyde hazards and its health effects?
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How do I evaluate formaldehyde exposure in the workplace?
Medical Management | Chemical Sampling and Analysis |
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What are some possible solutions for workplace hazards?
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What additional information is available?
Related Safety and Health Topics Pages | Training |
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