HSCI 616 Presentation

by Robert Leumaga

FORMALDEHYDE (CH₂O)
Trade names: Methanal, Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide (glycol), paraform
Classified: human carcinogen (OSHA), hazardous air pollutant (EPA-CAA)
Physical properties: @ normal temperature and pressure – CH₂O is a gas!!
• boiling point is - 6°F

• freezing point is -134°F

• density of 0.82 g/cm3 (air is 0.0012bg/cm3); soluble in water

Key Characteristics: FORMALDEHYDE
Naturally occurring & by-product (chemical manufacturing industry)
Colorless gas, strong suffocating, irritating odor (@ low conc., below 1ppm)
Common chemical: embalming fluid, medical preservative, resins
Highly toxic: fatal when ingested; 30 ml (1 oz.) of 37%

NFPA rating (Formaldehyde 37% Solution)

Flammable gas Very toxic Corrosive Carcinogen/Toxic

 Routes of Exposure:
(1) Inhalation
• Primarily route
• Low conc. exposure (headache, inflamm. mucous of nose, difficult breathing)
• Higher conc.-severe mucous memb. irritation, burning, lower respiratory effects
• Sensitive individuals: may experience asthma & dermatitis
• Lower respiratory effects (bronchitis, pulmonary edema, & fatal)

(2) Skin Contact

• Absorbed thru-Irritates the skin, allergic dermatitis
• Smaller amounts can enter the body via skin-absorbed into blood stream
• Direct contact: corrosive & cause a burn
(3) Eye Contact
• Irritation, cause severe discomfort and discharge of tears.
• Direct eye - permanent eye damage or loss of vision

(4) Ingestion
• Cause corrosive injury to GI mucous memb. nausea, pain, bleeding
• Systemic effects – CNS depression/coma, respiratory distress, renal failure,
metabolic acidosis
 Detection of Formaldehyde
Detection by Smell
Acute exposure – most likely detected by smell (levels below odor threshold
0.83 ppm)
DO NOT depend on your sense of smell for indicating the continuing
presence of this gas. Not a reliable warning of hazardous conc.

Use monitoring equipment:

 Photoionization Detector (PID)
 Combustible Gas Indicator (CGI)
 Colorimetric Detector Tubes
 Flame Ionization Detector (FID)
 Other Direct-Reading Instruments…
Before Entering Areas with Possible known Formaldehyde
Air needs to be tested for the presence & conc. of CH₂O by a qualified
person using test equipment. This individual also determines if
fire/explosion precautions are necessary

If gas is present, the space should be ventilated

If the gas cannot be removed:

 use appropriate OSHA required respirator & other necessary personal
protective equipment (PPE), rescue & communication equipment.
 Atmospheres containing high concentrations of 30 ppm are considered
immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) & a self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA) is required
Exposure Limits

• NIOSH REL
Ca TWA 0.016 ppm C 0.1 ppm [15-minute]

• OSHA PEL
TWA8 0.75 ppm, STEL 2 ppm [15-minute], AL 0.5 ppm

• IDLH: OSHA 30 ppm, Ca/OSHA 20 ppm

 First Aid Measures
• INHALATION: Remove victim to fresh air. Apply resuscitation if victim is not breathing - DO
NOT USE DIRECT MOUTH - TO - MOUTH METHOD if victim ingested or inhaled substance;
use alternative respiratory method or proper respiratory device
• SKIN CONTACT: If material is splashed onto the skin, remove any contaminated clothing and
wash skin thoroughly with water and soap if available
• SWALLOWING: An unlikely route of exposure. This product is a gas at normal temperature and
pressure. But.. If swallowed, DO NOT induce vomiting. Seek urgent medical assistance.
• EYE CONTACT: If material is splashed into eyes, flush with plenty of water for at least 15
minutes, ensuring eye lids are held open. Immediately transport to hospital or doctor
• First Aid Facilities: - Eye wash fountain, safety shower and normal wash room facilities.

NOTES TO PHYSICIAN: For acute or short term repeated exposures to formaldehyde

INGESTION: Patients present early with severe corrosion of the gastro-intestinal tract and systemic effects. Inflamation
and ulceration may progress to strictures. Severe acidosis results from rapid conversion of formaldehyde to formic acid.
Coma, hypotension, renal failure and apnoea complicate ingestion. Decontaminate by dilution with milk or water
containing ammonium caetate; vomiting should be induced. Follow with gastric lavage using a weak ammonia solution
(converts formaldehyde to relatively inert pentamethylenetetramine). Gastric lavage is warranted only in first 15minutes
following ingestion.
SKIN: Formaldehyde can combine with with epidermal protein to produce a hapten-protein couples capable of sensitising
T-lymphocytes. Subsequent exposures cause a type IV hypersensitivity reaction (ie allergic contact dermatitis).Keep
victim under observation for delayed onset of pulmonary edema. There is no specific antidote. Treatment of overexposure
should be directed at the control of symptoms and the clinical condition of the patient.