1. OSHA Occupational Chemical Database
  2. FORMALDEHYDE
Label abbreviations descriptions

FORMALDEHYDE‡

Chemical Identification
Chemical Identification
CAS # 50-00-0
Formula

CH₂O
Synonyms

methanal, methyl aldehyde, methylene oxide, formalin, oxymethylene, formic aldehyde, oxymethylene
Physical Properties
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
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
 

 
 

 

* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Wipe Method
Wipe Method
Sampler/Sampling media
 

 
Bulk Method
Bulk Method
 

 
On-Site Screening Techniques
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
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
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.

Last Updated Date : 04/14/2021