Glyoxal
Agent Name
Glyoxal
CAS Number
107-22-2
Formula
C2-H2-O2
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
1,2-Ethanedione; Aerotex glyoxal 40; Biformal; Biformyl; Diformal; Diformyl; Ethanedial; Glyoxylaldehyde; Oxal; Oxalaldehyde; Glyoxal, 29.2%; Glyoxal, 40%; Glyoxal solutions; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Aldehydes
Description
Commercially available as a 40% aqueous solution, clear to slightly yellow with a faint, sour odor; [AIHA] Yellow solid that turns white on cooling; Vapors are green; mp = 15 deg C; [Merck Index] Liquid; Yellow solid below 15 deg C; [Reference #1]
Sources/Uses
Used in paper and textile production, leather tanning, textile dyeing, embalming, curing and cross-linking polymers; Also used as biocide and disinfectant and to make proteins and other materials insoluble; [HSDB] Used in organic synthesis and glues; [Merck Index] Used predominantly as a chemical intermediate; Also used as reducing agent in the photographic industry and to make silvered mirrors; [Reference #1]
Comments
A skin and mucous membrane irritant, but less irritating than formaldehyde; Emergency treatment: "Oxalic acid"; [HSDB] Glyoxal, a disinfectant, may cause allergic contact dermatitis among healthcare workers. [Marks, p. 339] If left on clothing, can cause reddening of skin; [CHRIS] Dust mixtures with air may be explosive; Rapidly polymerized on standing, contact with water (violently), and mixing in solvents containing water; A moderate skin and mucous membrane irritant; [Merck Index] 40% solution: A skin and eye irritant; May cause skin sensitization; [ICSC] The anhydrous form in unstable and only produced in laboratories; A strong skin sensitizer in a study of 24 humans; [Reference #1] Produced as a human metabolite; Also found in many fermented foods and beverages; Animal studies have shown the pancreas and kidney as the target organs; [Reference #2] A mild skin and severe eye irritant; Causes other liver changes and acute tubular necrosis in dermal lethal-dose studies of rabbits; [RTECS]
Reference Link #1
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
0.1 mg/m3, inhalable fraction and vapor
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 2,440 mg/m3/4h
Explanatory Notes
Flash point = 428 deg F; Melting point = 15 deg C for pure glyoxal and approximately -10 deg C for the 40% solution; [AIHA] Vapor pressure for pure anhydrous form is approximately 7.5 E-4 mm Hg with a VP of 13.5 mm Hg for 40% solution; [Reference #1]
Reference Link #2
WEEL
0.1 mg/m3
Adverse Effects
Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: