Formaldehyde Solution Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

SECTION 1 — PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

Product: Formaldehyde Solution
Signal Word: DANGER

SECTION 2 HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

• Flammable Liquid: Avoid heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces. No smoking.
• Acute Toxicity: Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin, or if inhaled. Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking when using this product.
• Skin Corrosion: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
• Germ Cell Mutagenicity: Suspected of causing genetic defects.
• Carcinogenicity: May cause cancer. Follow special instructions before use.
• Reproductive Toxicity: May damage fertility or the unborn child.
• Specific Target Organ Toxicity: Causes damage to organs.

SECTION 3 — COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

Component Name	CAS Number	Formula	Concentration
Formaldehyde	50-00-0	HCHO	37%
Methyl alcohol	67-56-1	CH3OH	10-12%
Water	7732-18-5	H2O	51-53%

Synonyms: Formalin, Methanal

SECTION 4 — FIRST AID MEASURES

• If exposed or concerned: Call a POISON CENTER or physician.
• If inhaled: Move to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
• If in eyes: Rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do so.
• If on skin or hair: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with water. Wash clothing before reuse. If skin irritation or rash occurs, get medical advice.
• If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Call a POISON CENTER or physician immediately.

SECTION 5 — FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

• Combustible Liquid: Class IIIA.
• Flash Point: 85°C
• Flammable Limits: Lower: 7%, Upper: 73%
• Autoignition Temperature: 300°C
• In case of fire: Use a tri-class dry chemical fire extinguisher.

SECTION 6 — ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

• Remove all ignition sources & ventilate the area.
• Contain the spill with sand or other inert absorbent material & place it in a sealed container.

SECTION 7 — HANDLING AND STORAGE

• Storage Pattern: with hydrocarbons, oils, esters, and aldehydes.
• Precautions: Keep the container tightly closed & cool. Do not breathe mist, vapors, or spray. Use in a well-ventilated area. Keep away from flames & hot surfaces.

SECTION 8 — EXPOSURE CONTROLS, PERSONAL PROTECTION

• Protective Gear: Wear gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Contaminated work clothing should stay at the workplace.
• Exposure Guidelines: TLV-C 0.3 ppm (ACGIH); PEL 0.75 ppm (OSHA).
• Odor Threshold: 0.05 – 1 ppm.

SECTION 9 — PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

• Appearance: Colorless liquid with a characteristic pungent odor.
• Composition: 37% formaldehyde gas in water, with methanol as a stabilizer.
• Solubility: Water & Alcohol
• Boiling Point: 101°C
• Flash Point: 85°C
• Specific Gravity: 1.08

SECTION 10 — STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

• Avoid: Strong acids, strong bases, and strong oxidizers.
• Shelf Life: Fair (polymerizes slowly to polyformaldehyde).
• Hazardous Decomposition Products: Toxic gases/fumes during burning or thermal decomposition. Combustion may form carbon monoxide & formic acid.

SECTION 11 — TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

• Exposure Route: Eyes, skin absorption, ingestion, inhalation.
• Acute Effects: Severe eye irritant, sensitizer.
• Chronic Effects: Pulmonary edema, carcinogen, mutagen.
• Target Organs: Eyes, kidneys. Effects may be delayed.
• Toxicity Data: ORL-RAT LD50: 100 mg/kg, IHL-RAT LC50: 203 mg/m³, SKN-RBT LD50: 0.27 mL/kg

SECTION 12 — ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

• Environmental Impact:
  Formaldehyde is harmful to the environment, particularly aquatic life. Even at low concentrations, it is toxic to fish and other marine organisms.
• Persistence and degradability:
  Formaldehyde is readily biodegradable in water and soil. It breaks down through microbial action in the environment, typically within a few days.
• Bioaccumulative Potential:
  Formaldehyde does not significantly accumulate in living organisms.
• Mobility in Soil:
  Formaldehyde has high mobility in soil and can contaminate groundwater. It dissolves in water & can spread easily in aquatic environments.
• Other Adverse Effects:
  Formaldehyde can contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a smog component that has various harmful effects on human health and the environment.
• Precautions:
  Avoid releasing formaldehyde into the environment. Follow the proper disposal methods to prevent environmental contamination.

SECTION 13 — DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

• How to Dispose:
  • Follow local, state, and federal rules.
  • Don’t throw it in the trash or pour it down the drain.

  Recommended Steps:

  • Neutralize the solution with a proper agent & place it in a chemical waste container.
  • Use a licensed waste disposal service to handle & get rid of it.

  Safety Tips:

  • Wear gloves, goggles, and a lab coat when dealing with waste.
  • Keep containers tightly closed & properly labelled to prevent leaks.
  • Avoid spilling into drains, water, or soil. Use secondary containers if needed.

  Empty Containers:

  • Do not reuse.
  • Rinse thoroughly with water before disposal.
  • Follow local & federal rules for disposing of rinsed containers.

SECTION 14 — TRANSPORT INFORMATION

• UN2209 — FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTIONS — HAZARD CLASS 8 — PG III

SECTION 15 — REGULATORY INFORMATION

• Listed: TSCA, EINECS (200-001-8), RCRA code U122.

SECTION 16 — OTHER INFORMATION

This Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is for guidance and based on reliable information. Laboratory cognizance does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data & shall not be liable for any damages. The data should be used for consideration, investigation, and verification, and must comply with local, state, or federal laws & regulations. Handling, storage, use, and disposal are beyond Laboratory Cognizance’s control. No responsibility or liability is assumed for loss, damage, or expense connected with this product.