Formalin
Agent Name
Formalin
CAS Number
50-00-0
Formula
C-H2-O
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
Aldehyd mravenci [Czech]; Aldehyde formique [French]; Aldehyde formique [ISO-French]; Aldeide formica [Italian]; BFV; Dormol; FYDE; Fannoform; Formaldehyd [Czech, Polish]; Formaldehyde; Formaldehyde solution; Formaldehyde, gas; Formalin; Formalin 40; Formalin [JAN]; Formalin-loesungen [German]; Formalina [Italian]; Formaline [German]; Formalith; Formic aldehyde; Formol; Karsan; Lysoform; Methaldehyde; Methanal; Methyl aldehyde; Methylene oxide; Morbicid; Oplossingen [Dutch]; Oxomethane; Oxymethylene; Paraform; Superlysoform; [ChemIDplus] UN1198; UN2209
Category
Aldehydes
Description
Colorless liquid with a pungent odor; Formalin is an aqueous solution that is 37 % formaldehyde by weight; inhibited solutions contain 6-12 % methyl alcohol; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used in the manufacture of resins and textiles, as a disinfectant, and as a laboratory fixative or preservative; [ChemIDplus]
Comments
Formaldehyde is sold commercially as formalin in solutions of 37%, 44% or 50%. A severe eye and respiratory tract irritant, and my cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] See "Formaldehyde."
Reference Link #1
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
No
TLV (ACGIH)
0.1 ppm
STEL (ACGIH)
0.3 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
0.75 ppm, STEL(OSHA) = 2 ppm
MAK
0.3 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
20 ppm
Odor Threshold Low
0.027 ppm
Odor Threshold High
1.9 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 203 mg/m3
Explanatory Notes
Exposure limits are "as formaldehyde." Flash point = 85 deg C; Odor threshold from CHEMINFO;
NFPA
high ambient temp required
Adverse Effects
Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Asthma
Yes
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: