Chemical Datasheet
FORMALDEHYDE, SOLUTIONS (FORMALIN) (CORROSIVE) |
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Chemical Identifiers
)
UN/NA Number - The United Nations-North America number (also called UN number or DOT number). 4-digit number identifying an individual chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics. Required on shipping papers; often shown on placards or labels. This numbering system was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and then became the UN standard system for classifying hazardous materials.
CAS Number - Chemical Abstracts Service registry number. Unique identification number assigned to this chemical by the American Chemical Society.
CHRIS Code - 3-letter code used by the U.S. Coast Guard to identify individual chemicals included in its CHRIS (Chemical Hazards Response Information System) manual.
DOT Hazard Label - U.S. Department of Transportation hazard warning label for the chemical (such as flammable liquid or corrosive). This label must be displayed on shipped packages, railroad tank cars, and tank trucks according to specifications described in 49 CFR 172.
NFPA 704 - Text description of the diamond-shaped placard, which contains codes indicating the level of the chemical's health, flammability, and reactivity hazards, along with special hazards such as water- and air-reactivity. (The NFPA 704 diamond is also shown at the top of the datasheet.) See a guide to the NFPA diamond.
General Description - Brief description of the chemical's general appearance, behavior, and hazardousness.
List of data sources.
CAS Number - Chemical Abstracts Service registry number. Unique identification number assigned to this chemical by the American Chemical Society.
CHRIS Code - 3-letter code used by the U.S. Coast Guard to identify individual chemicals included in its CHRIS (Chemical Hazards Response Information System) manual.
DOT Hazard Label - U.S. Department of Transportation hazard warning label for the chemical (such as flammable liquid or corrosive). This label must be displayed on shipped packages, railroad tank cars, and tank trucks according to specifications described in 49 CFR 172.
NFPA 704 - Text description of the diamond-shaped placard, which contains codes indicating the level of the chemical's health, flammability, and reactivity hazards, along with special hazards such as water- and air-reactivity. (The NFPA 704 diamond is also shown at the top of the datasheet.) See a guide to the NFPA diamond.
General Description - Brief description of the chemical's general appearance, behavior, and hazardousness.
List of data sources.
| UN/NA Number | CAS Number | CHRIS Code | DOT Hazard Label |
|---|---|---|---|
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none |
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| NFPA 704: |
|
General Description
A colorless liquid with a pungent irritating odor. Contains 37-50% formaldehyde by mass and varying amounts of methanol, added to prevent precipitation of formaldehyde polymers (formaldehyde exists in solution as CH2(OH)2 and its polymers HO(CH2O)xH where x averages about three). Flash point varies from 141 to 185°F. Formalin free of methanol is also shipped but must be kept warm (about 30°C (86°F)) to prevent polymerization. Pure formaldehyde, a gas, is not handled commercially because it tends to polymerize exothermally and may ignite. Vapor from formalin solution is flammable and an explosion hazard when exposed to flame or heat. Skin and eye irritant. Confirmed carcinogen.
Hazards
)
Reactivity Alerts - Special alerts if the chemical is especially reactive
(see list of reactivity alerts).
Air & Water Reactions - Special alerts if the chemical reacts with air, water, or moisture.
Fire Hazard - Description of the chemical's fire hazards (such as flammability, explosion risk, or byproducts that may evolve if the chemical is burned).
Health Hazard - Description of the chemical's health hazards (such as toxicity, flammability, or corrosivity).
Reactivity Profile - Description of the chemical's potential reactivity with other chemicals, air, and water. Also includes any other intrinsic reactive hazards (such as polymerizable or peroxidizable).
Reactive Groups - List of reactive groups that the chemical is assigned to, based on its known chemistry. Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that react in similar ways because their chemical structures are similar. Reactive groups are used to predict reactivity when you add a chemical to MyChemicals. Read more about reactive groups.
List of data sources.
Air & Water Reactions - Special alerts if the chemical reacts with air, water, or moisture.
Fire Hazard - Description of the chemical's fire hazards (such as flammability, explosion risk, or byproducts that may evolve if the chemical is burned).
Health Hazard - Description of the chemical's health hazards (such as toxicity, flammability, or corrosivity).
Reactivity Profile - Description of the chemical's potential reactivity with other chemicals, air, and water. Also includes any other intrinsic reactive hazards (such as polymerizable or peroxidizable).
Reactive Groups - List of reactive groups that the chemical is assigned to, based on its known chemistry. Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that react in similar ways because their chemical structures are similar. Reactive groups are used to predict reactivity when you add a chemical to MyChemicals. Read more about reactive groups.
List of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
The solution gives up formaldehyde vapors readily. These vapors are flammable over a wide vapor-air concentration range.
Fire Hazard
Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids are lighter than water. (ERG, 2008)
Health Hazard
May cause toxic effects if inhaled or ingested/swallowed. Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution. (ERG, 2008)
Reactivity Profile
FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION reacts violently with strong oxidizers (hydrogen peroxide, performic acid, perchloric acid in the presence of aniline, potassium permanganate, nitromethane). Reacts with bases (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonia), and with nitrogen dioxide (explosive reaction around 180° C). Reacts with hydrochloric acid to form highly toxic bis(chloromethyl) ether. Polymerization reaction with phenol may develop sudden destructive pressure [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p.168].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Response Recommendations
)
Firefighting - Response recommendations if the chemical is on fire (or near a fire).
Non-Fire Response - Response recommendations if the chemical isn't on fire (or near a fire).
Protective Clothing - Recommendations for protective gear and, in some cases, a table of breakthrough times for protective materials.
First Aid - Recommended first aid treatment for people exposed to the chemical.
List of data sources.
Non-Fire Response - Response recommendations if the chemical isn't on fire (or near a fire).
Protective Clothing - Recommendations for protective gear and, in some cases, a table of breakthrough times for protective materials.
First Aid - Recommended first aid treatment for people exposed to the chemical.
List of data sources.
Firefighting
Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Solid streams of water may be ineffective. Use "alcohol" foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide. (AAR, 2003)
Non-Fire Response
Keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Apply water spray or mist to knock down vapors. Vapor knockdown water is corrosive or toxic and should be diked for containment. Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash or cement powder. Apply "universal" gelling agent to immobilize spill. Water spill: Use natural barriers or oil spill control booms to limit spill travel. Use surface active agent (e.g. detergent, soaps, alcohols), if approved by epa. Inject "universal" gelling agent to solidify encircled spill and increase effectiveness of booms. If dissolved, in region of 10 ppm or greater concentration, apply activated carbon at ten times the spilled amount. Remove trapped material with suction hoses. Use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove immobilized masses of pollutants and precipitates. (AAR, 2003)
Protective Clothing
Skin: Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.
Eyes: Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.
Wash skin: The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.
Remove: Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.
Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the work shift.
Provide: Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substance; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection. Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2003)
Eyes: Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.
Wash skin: The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.
Remove: Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.
Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the work shift.
Provide: Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substance; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection. Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2003)
_____Dupont Average Standardized Breakthrough Times_____
(for FORMALIN (FORMALDEHYDE 37%))
Tychem® CPF2
greater than 480 min. (concentration: (FORMALDEHYDE 37%))
Tychem® CPF3
greater than 480 min. (concentration: (FORMALDEHYDE 37%))
Tychem® CPF4
greater than 480 min. (concentration: (FORMALDEHYDE 37%))
Tychem® F
greater than 480 min. (concentration: (FORMALDEHYDE 37%))
Tychem® Responder®
greater than 480 min. (concentration: (FORMALDEHYDE 37%))
Tychem® Responder® CSM
greater than 480 min. (concentration: (FORMALDEHYDE 37%))
Tychem® SL
greater than 480 min. (concentration: (FORMALDEHYDE 37%))
Tychem® ThermoPro
greater than 480 min. (concentration: (FORMALDEHYDE 37%)) (DuPont, 2008)
Copyrighted information of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Tychem® is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
First Aid
Eye: If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately. Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical.
Skin: If this chemical contacts the skin, flush the contaminated skin with water promptly. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water promptly. If irritation persists after washing, get medical attention.
Breathing: If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
Swallow: If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2003)
Skin: If this chemical contacts the skin, flush the contaminated skin with water promptly. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water promptly. If irritation persists after washing, get medical attention.
Breathing: If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
Swallow: If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2003)
Physical Properties
)
This section contains physical properties, flammability limits, and toxic thresholds for this chemical (see
definitions of each property).
More property data is available for common chemicals.
Guide to toxic levels of concern (AEGLs, ERPGs, TEELs, and IDLH).
List of data sources.
Guide to toxic levels of concern (AEGLs, ERPGs, TEELs, and IDLH).
List of data sources.
| Molecular Formula: |
|
Flash Point:
185.0 ° F
(NIOSH, 2003)
Lower Explosive Limit:
7.0 %
(NIOSH, 2003)
Upper Explosive Limit:
73.0 %
(NIOSH, 2003)
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure:
1.0 mm Hg
(NIOSH, 2003)
Vapor Density: data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
1.13
(AAR, 2003)
Boiling Point:
214.0 ° F
at 760 mm Hg
(NIOSH, 2003)
Molecular Weight:
Varies
(NIOSH, 2003)
Water Solubility:
Miscible
(NIOSH, 2003)
AEGL:
data unavailable
| ERPG-1 | ERPG-2 | ERPG-3 |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 ppm | 10.0 ppm | 25.0 ppm |
| (AIHA, 2008) | ||
TEEL:
data unavailable
IDLH:
20.0 ppm
; A potential human carcinogen.
(NIOSH, 2003)
Regulatory Information
)
Regulatory Names - Names under which this chemical is regulated under several U.S. federal laws: CAA (Clean Air Act of 1990), CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, also known as Superfund), EPCRA (Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, also known as SARA Title III), and RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976).
CAA RMP - Indicates whether this chemical is regulated under Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, which lists about 100 toxic, flammable, or explosive hazardous substances. (Section 112(r) mandates the Risk Management Plan regulations.) For listed chemicals, the Threshold Quantity (from 40 CFR 68) is also shown. Facilities that use more than the threshold quantity of a listed chemical in a process are subject to the CAA accidental release prevention provisions.
CERCLA - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as a hazardous substance under CERCLA. For listed chemicals, the Reportable Quantity (from 40 CFR 302) is also shown. Facilities that spill more than the reportable quantity of a listed chemical must report it to federal, state, and local governments.
EHS (EPCRA 302) - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as an Extremely Hazardous Substance under Section 302 of EPCRA. For listed chemicals, the Threshold Planning Quantity (from 40 CFR 355) is also shown. Facilities that store more than the threshold quantity of an EHS chemical must meet the reporting, community right-to-know, and emergency planning requirements of EPCRA.
TRI (EPCRA 313) - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as a toxic chemical under Section 313 (Toxics Release Inventory) of EPCRA. Facilities that manufacture, store, or use significant amounts of Section 313 chemicals may be required to submit annual reports about any releases into the environment (see 40 CFR 372).
RCRA Chemical Code - 4-character identification code assigned to this substance under RCRA.
CAA RMP - Indicates whether this chemical is regulated under Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, which lists about 100 toxic, flammable, or explosive hazardous substances. (Section 112(r) mandates the Risk Management Plan regulations.) For listed chemicals, the Threshold Quantity (from 40 CFR 68) is also shown. Facilities that use more than the threshold quantity of a listed chemical in a process are subject to the CAA accidental release prevention provisions.
CERCLA - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as a hazardous substance under CERCLA. For listed chemicals, the Reportable Quantity (from 40 CFR 302) is also shown. Facilities that spill more than the reportable quantity of a listed chemical must report it to federal, state, and local governments.
EHS (EPCRA 302) - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as an Extremely Hazardous Substance under Section 302 of EPCRA. For listed chemicals, the Threshold Planning Quantity (from 40 CFR 355) is also shown. Facilities that store more than the threshold quantity of an EHS chemical must meet the reporting, community right-to-know, and emergency planning requirements of EPCRA.
TRI (EPCRA 313) - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as a toxic chemical under Section 313 (Toxics Release Inventory) of EPCRA. Facilities that manufacture, store, or use significant amounts of Section 313 chemicals may be required to submit annual reports about any releases into the environment (see 40 CFR 372).
RCRA Chemical Code - 4-character identification code assigned to this substance under RCRA.
| Regulatory Names: |
|
CAA RMP:
Regulated chemical with a Threshold Quantity of 15000 pounds.
CERCLA:
Regulated chemical with a Reportable Quantity of 100 pounds.
EHS (EPCRA 302):
Regulated chemical with a
Reportable Quantity of 100 pounds and a
Threshold Planning Quantity of 500 pounds.
TRI (EPCRA 313):
Regulated chemical.
RCRA Chemical Code:
U122
Alternate Chemical Names
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This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names, synonyms, and foreign names.
- BFV
- F-GEN
- FANNOFORM
- FLOGUARD 1015
- FM 282
- FORMALDEHYDE (SOLUTION)
- FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION
- FORMALDEHÍDO, SOLUCIONES DE (FORMALINA) (CORROSIVA) (DOT SPANISH)
- FORMALDÉHYDE, EN SOLUTION (FORMALINE) (CORROSIF) (DOT FRENCH)
- FORMALIN
- FORMALIN (AS FORMALDEHYDE)
- FORMALIN SOLUTION
- FORMALITH
- FORMIC ALDEHYDE
- FORMIC ALDEHYDE SOLUTION
- FORMOL
- FYDE
- LYSOFORM
- METHALDEHYDE
- METHANAL
- METHANAL SOLUTION
- METHYL ALDEHYDE
- METHYLENE OXIDE
- MORBICID
- OXOMETHANE
- OXYMETHYLENE
- OXYMETHYLENE SOLUTION
- PARAFORM
- SUPERLYSOFORM
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