FORMALDEHYDE and FORMALIN
SPILL RESPONSE PROCEDURES
Formaldehyde - CH2O - is a gas. It is frequently sold as a formaldehyde solution which
contains 37% formaldehyde and 20% methanol in water. The methanol prevents polymerization
to para-formaldehyde. If a formaldehyde container is found to have white needle crystals in the
bottom, this is para-formaldehyde and poses no hazards beyond those of formaldehyde.
Dilute solutions - 10% or 15% - are sold as FORMALIN and frequently used in hospitals and
biology laboratories as a disinfectant and tissue preservative. Some formaldehyde gas vaporizes
from formalin and formaldehyde solutions. Most of the vapor coming off, however, is
trioxymethylene. The more dilute the solution, the less formaldehyde vapor which is released
from the solution.
Formaldehyde is intensely irritating to the mucous membranes and high concentrations are
intolerable. Formaldehyde use is regulated by the OSHA Formaldehyde Standard 29 CFR
1910.1048 and by the Airborne Contaminants list 29 CFR 1910.1000. It is considered
"reasonably anticipated to be a carcinogen" by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). The
generally accepted exposure guidelines are as follows:
ACGIH
STEL (0.3C,A2) ppm (0.37C,A2) mg/m3
A2 = suspect human carcinogen
C = ceiling level
OSHA
PEL 0.75 ppm STEL 2 ppm
NIOSH
REL 0.016 ppm STEL 0.1C ppm (15 minute)
SPILL RESPONSE
Formaldehyde spills should be handled exactly like any other hazardous materials spill in your
facility. The spill, if more than a de minimis quantity, must be handled by an organized spill
team, using the incident command system.
Personal Protective Equipment
Normally, LEVEL B will be used for all spills. If deemed appropriate (ie. the area is known to have more than 19.5% oxygen) by the Incident Commander, LEVEL C protection is acceptable, if the Air Purifying Respirators are equipped with fresh formaldehyde cartridges and HEPA filters. The LEVEL C ensemble is:
| LEVEL C ENSEMBLE |
| HARD HAT w/ FACE SHIELD
APR w/ FORMALDEHYDE & HEPA FILTER TRIPLE GLOVES NEOPRENE OUTER SOLVEX(tm) MIDDLE N-DEX(tm) INNER CHEMREL(tm) SUIT BOOT ENSEMBLE SUIT BOOTIES NEOPRENE BOOTS PVC OVERBOOTS |
Clean-Up Materials
Normal clean-up materials can be effectively used on a formaldehyde spill. Polypropylene pads,
pillows, and dikes are very effective. Sorbents, such as Magic Sorb(tm) and Magic Socks(tm) work
well.
The Ansul Fire Extinguisher Company has developed a product - Spill-X/F - which is especially
effective on concentrated (37%) formaldehyde. It converts the liquid into a rubber-like solid.
The solid may then be managed as a hazardous waste.
Monitors
The area involved with the spill must be monitored for airborne contaminants. The Drager Tube for formaldehyde is part number 67-33081. It turns pink upon exposure to formaldehyde and has a detection range of 0.2 - 5 ppm using 10 - 20 pump strokes.