SIGMA-ALDRICH sigma-aldrich.

com

Material Safety Data Sheet

Version 5.1
Revision Date 08/25/2010
Print Date 10/04/2010

1. PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

Product name : Formaldehyde solution
Product Number : F8775
Brand : Sigma

Company : Sigma-Aldrich
3050 Spruce Street
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103
USA
Telephone : +18003255832
Fax : +18003255052
Emergency Phone # : (314) 776-6555

2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Emergency Overview
OSHA Hazards
Combustible Liquid, Carcinogen, Target Organ Effect, Highly toxic by inhalation, Toxic by ingestion, Toxic by skin
absorption, Skin and respiratory sensitizer, Corrosive
Target Organs
Eyes, Kidney, Liver, HeartEyes, Kidney, Liver, Heart, Central nervous system
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram

Signal word Danger

Hazard statement(s)
H227 Combustible liquid
H301 + H311 Toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin.
H315 Causes skin irritation.
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
H318 Causes serious eye damage.
H331 Toxic if inhaled.
H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
H370 Causes damage to organs.
H402 Harmful to aquatic life.
Precautionary statement(s)
P260 Do not breathe dust/ fume/ gas/ mist/ vapours/ spray.
P280 Wear protective gloves/ eye protection/ face protection.
P301 + P310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/ physician.
P305 + P351 + P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if
present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P307 + P311 IF exposed: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/ physician.
HMIS Classification
Health hazard: 4
Chronic Health Hazard: *
Flammability: 2
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 Physical hazards: 0
NFPA Rating
Health hazard: 4
Fire: 2
Reactivity Hazard: 0
Potential Health Effects
Inhalation May be fatal if inhaled. Material is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous
membranes and upper respiratory tract.
Skin Toxic if absorbed through skin. Causes skin burns.
Eyes Causes eye burns.
Ingestion Toxic if swallowed.

3. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Synonyms : Formalin

Formula : CH2O

CAS-No. EC-No. Index-No. Concentration

Formaldehyde
50-00-0 200-001-8 605-001-00-5 36.5 - 38 %
Methanol
67-56-1 200-659-6 603-001-00-X >= 10 - <= 15 %
Water
7732-18-5 231-791-2 - >= 47 - <= 53.5 %

4. FIRST AID MEASURES

General advice
Consult a physician. Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.Move out of dangerous area.
If inhaled
If breathed in, move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact
Wash off with soap and plenty of water. Take victim immediately to hospital. Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and
consult a physician.
If swallowed
Do NOT induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with water. Consult a
physician.

5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES
Suitable extinguishing media
For small (incipient) fires, use media such as "alcohol" foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. For large fires, apply water
from as far as possible. Use very large quantities (flooding) of water applied as a mist or spray; solid streams of water
may be ineffective. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water.
Special protective equipment for fire-fighters
Wear self contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting if necessary.
Further information
Use water spray to cool unopened containers.

6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

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 Personal precautions
Wear respiratory protection. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Remove all sources of
ignition. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Beware of vapours accumulating to form explosive concentrations. Vapours
can accumulate in low areas.
Environmental precautions
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment
must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
Contain spillage, and then collect with an electrically protected vacuum cleaner or by wet-brushing and place in
container for disposal according to local regulations (see section 13). Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

7. HANDLING AND STORAGE

Precautions for safe handling
Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking. Take measures to prevent the build up of electrostatic charge.
Conditions for safe storage
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed
and kept upright to prevent leakage.

8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION

Components with workplace control parameters

Components CAS-No. Value Control Update Basis

parameters
Formaldehyde 50-00-0 C 0.3 ppm 2007-01-01 USA. ACGIH Threshold Limit Values
(TLV)
Remarks Eye & Upper Respiratory Tract irritation Suspected human carcinogen: Human data are accepted
as adequate in quality but are conflicting or insufficient to classify the agent as a confirmed human
carcinogen; OR, the agent is carcinogenic in experimental animals at dose(s), by route(s) of
exposure, at site(s), of histologic type(s), or by mechanism(s) considered relevant to worker
exposure. The A2 is used primatrily when there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and
sufficient evidence of carcinogenitity in experimental animals with relevance to humans. Sensitizer

Substance listed; for more information see OSHA document 1910.1048

Listed
Substance listed; for more information see OSHA document 1910.1048
Listed
See 1910.1048
Listed
TWA 0.016 ppm 2005-09-01 USA. NIOSH Recommended
Exposure Limits
Potential Occupational Carcinogen See Appendix A 15 minute ceiling value

C 0.1 ppm 2005-09-01 USA. NIOSH Recommended

Exposure Limits
Potential Occupational Carcinogen See Appendix A 15 minute ceiling value

TWA 0.016 ppm 2005-09-01 USA. NIOSH Recommended

Exposure Limits
Potential Occupational Carcinogen Formalin is an aqueous solution that is 37% formaldehyde by
weight; inhibited solutions usually contain 6-12% methyl alcohol. Also see specific listings for
Formaldehyde and Methyl alcohol. See Appendix A 15 minute ceiling value

C 0.1 ppm 2005-09-01 USA. NIOSH Recommended

Exposure Limits
Potential Occupational Carcinogen Formalin is an aqueous solution that is 37% formaldehyde by

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 weight; inhibited solutions usually contain 6-12% methyl alcohol. Also see specific listings for
Formaldehyde and Methyl alcohol. See Appendix A 15 minute ceiling value

Methanol 67-56-1 TWA 200 ppm 2007-01-01 USA. ACGIH Threshold Limit Values
(TLV)
Remarks Headache Eye damage Substances for which there is a Biological Exposure Index or Indices (see
BEI® section) Danger of cutaneous absorption

STEL 250 ppm 2007-01-01 USA. ACGIH Threshold Limit Values

(TLV)
Headache Eye damage Substances for which there is a Biological Exposure Index or Indices (see
BEI® section) Danger of cutaneous absorption

TWA 200 ppm 1989-01-19 USA. OSHA - TABLE Z-1 Limits for Air
260 mg/m3 Contaminants - 1910.1000
Skin notation

STEL 250 ppm 1989-01-19 USA. OSHA - TABLE Z-1 Limits for Air
325 mg/m3 Contaminants - 1910.1000
Skin notation

TWA 200 ppm 1997-08-04 USA. Occupational Exposure Limits

260 mg/m3 (OSHA) - Table Z-1 Limits for Air
Contaminants
The value in mg/m3 is approximate.

TWA 200 ppm 2005-09-01 USA. NIOSH Recommended

260 mg/m3 Exposure Limits
Potential for dermal absorption

ST 250 ppm 2005-09-01 USA. NIOSH Recommended

325 mg/m3 Exposure Limits
Potential for dermal absorption

Personal protective equipment

Respiratory protection
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face respirator with multi-purpose
combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. If the
respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. Use respirators and components
tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Hand protection
Handle with gloves. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching
glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in
accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.

Eye protection
Tightly fitting safety goggles. Faceshield (8-inch minimum). Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved
under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin and body protection
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the
concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Hygiene measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the product.

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9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance
Form liquid, clear
Colour colourless
Safety data
pH no data available
Melting point no data available
Boiling point no data available
Flash point 64 °C (147 °F) - closed cup
Ignition temperature 300 °C (572 °F)
Lower explosion limit 7 %(V)
Upper explosion limit 73 %(V)
Vapour pressure 69 hPa (52 mmHg) at 37 °C (99 °F)
Density 1.016 g/cm3
Water solubility no data available
Relative vapour 1.04
density - (Air = 1.0)

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Chemical stability
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Conditions to avoid
Heat, flames and sparks.
Materials to avoid
Aniline, Phenol, Isocyanates, Acid anhydrides, Strong acids, Strong bases, Strong oxidizing agents, Amines, Peroxides
Hazardous decomposition products
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions. - Carbon oxides

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Acute toxicity
LD50 Oral - rat - 100 mg/kg (Formaldehyde)
LC50 Inhalation - rat - 203 mg/m3(Formaldehyde)

Remarks: Peripheral Nerve and Sensation:Spastic paralysis with or without sensory change. Behavioral:Convulsions or
effect on seizure threshold. Behavioral:Excitement.
LD50 Dermal - rabbit - 274 mg/kg (Formaldehyde)
Skin corrosion/irritation
Skin - rabbit - Severe skin irritation - 24 h (Formaldehyde)
Serious eye damage/eye irritation
Eyes - rabbit - Severe eye irritation (Formaldehyde)
Respiratory or skin sensitization
May cause allergic respiratory and skin reactions (Formaldehyde)
Germ cell mutagenicity
May alter genetic material. (Formaldehyde)
(Formaldehyde)
(Formaldehyde)
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 Carcinogenicity
This is or contains a component that has been reported to be carcinogenic based on its IARC, OSHA, ACGIH, NTP, or
EPA classification. (Formaldehyde)
Limited evidence of carcinogenicity in animal studies (Formaldehyde)
(Formaldehyde)
IARC: 1 - Group 1: Carcinogenic to humans (Formaldehyde)
NTP: Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen (Formaldehyde)
Reproductive toxicity
(Formaldehyde)
(Formaldehyde)
no data available (Formaldehyde)
Overexposure may cause reproductive disorder(s) based on tests with laboratory animals. (Formaldehyde)
(Formaldehyde)
(Formaldehyde)
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure (Globally Harmonized System)
no data available (Formaldehyde)
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure (Globally Harmonized System)
no data available
Aspiration hazard
no data available (Formaldehyde)
Potential health effects
Inhalation May be fatal if inhaled. Material is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous
membranes and upper respiratory tract.
Ingestion Toxic if swallowed.
Skin Toxic if absorbed through skin. Causes skin burns.
Eyes Causes eye burns.

Signs and Symptoms of Exposure

Cough, chest pain, Difficulty in breathing, Gastrointestinal disturbance, May cause convulsions., To the best of our
knowledge, the chemical, physical, and toxicological properties have not been thoroughly investigated. (Formaldehyde)
Additional Information
RTECS: LP8925000

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Toxicity
Toxicity to fish LC50 - Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) - 121 mg/l - 96 h (Formaldehyde)
Toxicity to daphnia EC50 - Daphnia magna (Water flea) - 14.6 mg/l - 48 h (Formaldehyde)
and other aquatic
invertebrates.
Toxicity to algae mortality LOEC - Phyllospora comosa - 0.1 mg/l - 96 h (Formaldehyde)
mortality NOEC - Phyllospora comosa - < 0.1 mg/l - 96 h (Formaldehyde)
Persistence and degradability
Biodegradability Biotic/Aerobic (Formaldehyde)
Result: 90 % - Readily biodegradable.

Bioaccumulative potential
no data available
Mobility in soil
no data available (Formaldehyde)
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 PBT and vPvB assessment
no data available
Other adverse effects
An environmental hazard cannot be excluded in the event of unprofessional handling or disposal.
Harmful to aquatic life.
no data available

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Product
This combustible material may be burned in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. Offer
surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal
service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging
Dispose of as unused product.

14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION

DOT (US)
UN-Number: 1198 Class: 3 (8) Packing group: III
Proper shipping name: Formaldehyde, solutions, flammable
Reportable Quantity (RQ): 263 lbs
Marine pollutant: No
Poison Inhalation Hazard: No

IMDG
UN-Number: 1198 Class: 3 (8) Packing group: III EMS-No: F-E, S-C
Proper shipping name: FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION, FLAMMABLE
Marine pollutant: No

IATA
UN-Number: 1198 Class: 3 (8) Packing group: III
Proper shipping name: Formaldehyde solution, flammable

15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

OSHA Hazards
Combustible Liquid, Carcinogen, Target Organ Effect, Highly toxic by inhalation, Toxic by ingestion, Toxic by skin
absorption, Skin and respiratory sensitizer, Corrosive
DSL Status
All components of this product are on the Canadian DSL list.
SARA 302 Components
CAS-No. Revision Date
Formaldehyde 50-00-0 2007-07-01
SARA 313 Components
CAS-No. Revision Date
Methanol 67-56-1 2007-07-01
Formaldehyde 50-00-0 2007-07-01

SARA 311/312 Hazards

Fire Hazard, Acute Health Hazard, Chronic Health Hazard
Massachusetts Right To Know Components
CAS-No. Revision Date
Methanol 67-56-1 2007-07-01
Formaldehyde 50-00-0 2007-07-01

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 Pennsylvania Right To Know Components
CAS-No. Revision Date
Water 7732-18-5
Methanol 67-56-1 2007-07-01
Formaldehyde 50-00-0 2007-07-01
New Jersey Right To Know Components
CAS-No. Revision Date
Water 7732-18-5
Methanol 67-56-1 2007-07-01
Formaldehyde 50-00-0 2007-07-01
California Prop. 65 Components
WARNING! This product contains a chemical known to the State of CAS-No. Revision Date
California to cause cancer. 50-00-0 2007-09-28
Formaldehyde

16. OTHER INFORMATION

Further information
Copyright 2010 Sigma-Aldrich Co. License granted to make unlimited paper copies for internal use only.
The above information is believed to be correct but does not purport to be all inclusive and shall be used only as a
guide. The information in this document is based on the present state of our knowledge and is applicable to the
product with regard to appropriate safety precautions. It does not represent any guarantee of the properties of the
product. Sigma-Aldrich Co., shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from handling or from contact with the
above product. See reverse side of invoice or packing slip for additional terms and conditions of sale.

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