Formamide

Synonyms

Amid kyseliny mravenci [Czech]; Carbamaldehyde; Formamide; Formic acid, amide; Formimidic acid; Methanamide; Methanoic acid, amide; [ChemIDplus] UN8027

Category

Amides (<C10)

Description

Colorless, oily liquid. [Note: A solid below 37 degrees F.]; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a chemical intermediate and ionizing solvent; also used as a softener for glues, gums, and paper; [ACGIH]

Comments

Subchronic studies of rats exposed at 1500 ppm show decreased weight gain, kidney injury, and suppression of platelets and lymphocytes. By analogy with dimethylformamide, formamide is a suspected liver toxin. "No signs of toxicity were detected in rats exposed 6 hours/day for 10 days at approximately 100 ppm of formamide vapor (equivalent to air saturated with formamide at room temperature)." [ACGIH] A skin and eye irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations may cause CNS effects; [ICSC]

Biomedical References

Yes

1 ppm

0.061 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

Flash point = 310 deg F; VP from HSDB;

must be preheated

Acute solvent syndrome

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Working with Glues and Adhesives