Formaldehyde SOP

Chemical Name: CAS #:
Hazard Classification:
Location Used: Principal Investigator:
Processes for Which Chemical Is Used:
HAZARDS AND PROTECTION
Hazard Information
• Carcinogen
• Reproductive and Organ Toxicity
• Acute Oral, Dermal and Inhalation Toxicity
• Skin Corrosive
• Flammable liquid (in methanol)
Routes of Exposure
• Ingestion ● Skin Absorption
• Inhalation
• Eye absorption
If exposed by:
• Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If difficulty
breathing, give oxygen. Do not attempt
mouth to mouth if victim inhaled
formaldehyde.
• Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting.
• Eye or skin: Rinse affected area for 15
minutes
Medical attention is required for all routes of
exposure.
Symptoms of Exposure
• Headache, dizziness, tiredness, nausea and
vomiting, possible digestive tract perforation
• Rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing,
tingling of extremities, chest pain, muscle
pain, flushing
Exposure Limits
All exposure limits are Time Weighted Averages
(average exposure over an eight-hour day) unless
otherwise indicated.
OSHA PEL: 0.75 ppm (2 ppm STEL)
ACGIH TLV: 0.1 ppm (0.3 ppm STEL)
NIOSH REL: 0.016 ppm (0.1 ppm ceiling, 20 ppm IDLH)
Engineering Controls
• Chemical Fume Hood Never open formaldehyde, formalin or
paraformaldehyde outside of a chemical fume hood.
Formaldehyde/Formalin/Paraformaldehyde 50-00-0/30525-89-4
Health Hazard
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY EHS
LABORATORY CHEMICAL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
CS-003 Last Reviewed September 20, 2018
Administrative Controls
• Designated area sign
• Particularly hazardous substance label
• Post designated area sign before each use.
• Label containers of formaldehyde, formalin
and paraformaldehyde as a health hazard.
• Use as small a quantity as possible.
Personal Protective Equipment
• Gloves
• Safety glasses or splash goggles
• Lab coat
Nitrile gloves are protective against formaldehyde in
aqueous solution. If formaldehyde is in methanol
solution (very typical), change gloves every 15 minutes
(nitrile gloves are pervious to methanol after a
relatively short period of time). Change gloves
immediately if a spill on gloves is observed. Wash
hands after use.
OTHER SAFETY INFORMATION
Transportation Follow guidance given in the laboratory safety manual
for transport of chemicals.
Storage
• Can be stored with flammable materials in
separate secondary containment tray.
• Keep tightly sealed
• Store paraformaldehyde away from water.
Incompatible materials include:
Strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, nitriles, acids,
isocyanates, acid anhydrides, metals, acid chlorides.
Spill/Accident Procedures
For all spills:
• Wear two pairs of nitrile gloves
• Evacuate the immediate area
Exposure:
• If anyone exposed requires emergency
medical attention, dial 911 (or 9-911 from
landline).
• Follow procedures outlined in laboratory
safety manual.
Small spills (less than 100 mL in a hood or 10 mL
outside a fume hood): Cover the spill with absorbent
materials. Place absorbent materials in bag or bucket
for collection by EHS. Clean area with soap and water
once spill is removed. If the spill is solid
paraformaldehyde, soak the absorbent material with
methanol (not water) and place on the spill. Wait until
the solid paraformaldehyde is saturated, then scoop
into a waste container. Contact EHS for collection and
disposal. Clean area where paraformaldehyde had
been with soap and water.
Large spills (greater than 100 mL in a hood or 10 mL
outside a fume hood): If the spill is in a chemical fume
hood, contact the EHS director (864-710-2933). If he
cannot be reached (does not answer phone, do not
leave voicemail), then call 911, pull the fire alarm and
exit the building. If the spill is outside of a hood, then
call 911, pull the fire alarm and exit the building.
Waste Disposal Waste formaldehyde must be collected for disposal.
Empty bottles of formaldehyde may be rinsed and
thrown in the dumpster.
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY EHS
LABORATORY CHEMICAL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
CS-003 Last Reviewed September 20, 201