Working with Formaldehyde (Revised 1975. See NIOSHTIC-2: 00180405)

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Description:
  This pamphlet provided information on working with formaldehyde (50000). Topics included properties, uses, hazardous effects of exposure, control of formaldehyde hazards, symptoms, management responsibilities, and employee responsibilities. Formaldehyde has been used as either a liquid solution called formalin or as a powdered granular or flaky material, paraformaldehyde (30525894). Formaldehyde was an irritant to the eyes, nose, mouth and throat. It could on prolonged exposure cause headaches, heart palpitations, and inflammation of the bronchial tubes and lungs. Death could result from swelling of the vocal cords. Damage to the digestive system, kidneys and central nervous system would follow swallowing of formalin solution. Skin contact could result in dermatitis. High concentrations of formaldehyde presented an explosion hazard. Enclosures around processes where formaldehyde is used should be installed where feasible and adequate local and general exhaust ventilation should be employed. Workers should wear safety goggles, gloves and protective clothing. Fullface respirators or canister type gas masks can be used for emergency protection. No employee with a history of asthma or other allergic sensitivity or a history of skin disorders should be assigned to an area where contact with formaldehyde is likely to occur. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Disinfectants Fungi Fungicide, Industrial Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Plastics Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Skin Textile Industry

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• Keywords:
  Agricultural-chemicals Antiseptics Fungicides Germicides Personal-protective-equipment Plastics-industry Preservatives Pulmonary-system-disorders Skin-exposure Textiles-industry
• Series:
  NIOSH Numbered Publications
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB74119
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Pamphlet or Booklet
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DTS - Division of Technical Services
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00180404
• Citation:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHEW (NIOSH) Publication No. 74-119, 1973 Oct; :1-6
• CAS Registry Number:
  Formaldehyde (CAS RN 50-00-0) ; Paraformaldehyde (CAS RN 30525-89-4)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1974
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f193c63a9d8f76385230b4934bcc19f10ab67a18c7b7afd8c7246c9bdee7b79482ea658beeec78023ba19439f480322aeee645925cf432dc631a99ae80054b76
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/209513/cdc_209513_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.37 MB ]