Label abbreviations descriptions

FORMALDEHYDE‡

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
 

 
 

 

* 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.

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

Last Updated Date : 04/14/2021