Paraformaldehyde
Agent Name
Paraformaldehyde
CAS Number
30525-89-4
Formula
(C-H2-O)x
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
Aldacide; Flo-Mor; Formagene; Formaldehyde polymer; Oilstop, Halowax; Paraform; Paraformaldehydum; Paraformic aldehyde; Polyformaldehyde; Polymerised formaldehyde; Polyoxymethylene; Polyoxymethylene glycol; Poly(oxymethylene); Paraformaldehyde, polymer; [ChemIDplus] UN2213
Category
Aldehydes
Description
White solid with a pungent odor; [ICSC]
Sources/Uses
Used as a fungicide (soil and barley seed treatment), disinfectant, hardening agent, and waterproofing agent; Also used to make adhesives, resins, and artificial horn or ivory and in medicine and dentistry as an antiseptic, fixative, and contraceptive; [HSDB] Used as a bacteriostat, fungicide, and sanitizer in beauty salons and barber shops and as a mildewcide for closets and unoccupied dwellings; [Reference #1]
Comments
A polymer composed of 8 to 100 formaldehyde monomers; Toxic by ingestion; [Hawley] Produces adverse effects of formaldehyde solution; A severe skin and eye irritant that may cause urticaria and corneal burns; Inhalation can cause irritation, inflammation, and pulmonary edema; Emergency treatment: "Formaldehyde" [HSDB] A severe skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause skin sensitization; [ICSC] If left on clothing, can cause reddening of skin; [CHRIS] See "Formaldehyde."
Reference Link #1
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Vapor Pressure
10.5 mm Hg
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 1,070 mg/m3/hr
Explanatory Notes
VP from HSDB;
Reference Link #2
NFPA
high ambient temp required
Adverse Effects
Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: