# 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