Chinese name: Formaldehyde. Alias: Formalin ; Formaldehyde. English name: Formaldehyde. Alias: Formalin. CAS No.: 50-00-0. Molecular formula: CH?2O ; HCHO. Molecular weight: 30.03. Harmful ingredients: Pure product. Hazard code: 83012. Packaging mark: 20 (Corrosive substances). Packaging method: small-opening steel drum ; Fully open steel tank outside glass bottles or plastic drums (jars) ; Ordinary wooden box outside the frosted-mouth glass bottle or threaded-mouth glass bottle ; Ordinary wooden box outside the ampoule bottle ; Ordinary wooden box outside threaded-mouth glass bottles, iron-cap pressed-mouth glass bottles, plastic bottles, or metal drums/tanks ; Glass bottles with threaded mouths, plastic bottles, or tin-plated thin steel sheet drums (tanks), enclosed in floor-grid boxes, fiberboard boxes, or plywood boxes. 1.73.2? Physicochemical properties database: Main component: pure substance. Appearance and properties: A colorless gas that is irritating and asphyxiating; it is available in the form of its aqueous solution. Melting point (°C): -92. Boiling point (°C): -19.4. Relative density (water=1): 0.82. Relative vapor density (air=1): 1.07. Vapor pressure (kPa): 13.33 (-57.3°C). Heat of combustion (kJ/mol): 2345.0. Solubility: Soluble in water, and soluble in most organic solvents such as ethanol. Stability: Stable. Prohibited substances: strong oxidizers, strong acids, strong bases. Fire and explosion hazard: This product is flammable, highly corrosive and irritating; it can cause burns to the human body and is also allergenic. Decomposition products: Harmful combustion products: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide. Hazard: Its vapor can form explosive mixtures with air. It can catch fire and explode in the presence of open flames or high heat. Reacts violently upon contact with oxidizers. 1.73.3? Emergency response: In case of skin contact, rinse thoroughly with plenty of water, then wash with soapy water or a 2% sodium bicarbonate solution ; When the clothing becomes contaminated, it must also be replaced as soon as possible. Eye contact: Immediately lift the eyelids and rinse thoroughly with plenty of flowing water or saline for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Inhalation: Quickly move to a place with fresh air. Keep the airways clear. If there is difficulty breathing, oxygen therapy should be administered. If breathing stops, perform artificial respiration immediately. Seek medical attention. Ingestion: Gastric lavage should be performed as soon as possible; after lavage, 100 ml of 3% ammonium carbonate or 15% ammonium acetate can be administered to convert formaldehyde into hexamethylenetetramine (urotropin), which is less toxic. Seek medical attention. Respiratory protection: When there may be exposure to its vapors, it is recommended to wear a self-priming filter-type respirator (full-face mask). Wear a self-contained breathing apparatus during emergency rescue or evacuation. Eye protection: Protection is provided under respiratory protection. Body protection: Wear rubber acid- and alkali-resistant clothing. Hand protection: Wear rubber gloves. Other protections: Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited at the work site. Once the work is done, clean thoroughly. Pay attention to personal hygiene. Conduct pre-employment and regular health checks. When entering tanks, confined spaces, or other areas with high concentrations, supervision must be provided. Emergency response to leaks: Quickly evacuate people from the area contaminated by the leak to a safe zone, isolate it, and strictly restrict access. Cut off the source of fire. It is recommended that emergency responders wear self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus and acid-alkali resistant protective clothing. Enter the site from the upwind side. Seal the source of the leak as much as possible. Prevent entry into confined spaces such as sewers and drainage ditches. Minor leaks: Absorb or adsorb with sand or other non-flammable materials. It can also be rinsed with a large amount of water, and the diluted wash water is then discharged into the wastewater system. Large-scale leakage: Build dikes or dig pits to contain it. Cover with foam to reduce vapor damage. Sprayed water cools and dilutes the vapor, protecting personnel on site and turning the leak into a non-flammable substance. Transfer with a pump into a tank truck or a dedicated collector, and recycle it or transport it to a waste disposal facility for disposal. Harmful combustion products: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide. Extinguishing method: Spray water on the escaping liquid to dilute it into a non-flammable mixture, and use misted water to protect firefighters. Extinguishing agents: fog water, alcohol-resistant foam, dry powder, carbon dioxide, sand. 1.73.4? Management of the management information database: Conduct operations in a closed environment, providing adequate local exhaust ventilation. Operators must receive specialized training and strictly adhere to the operating procedures. It is recommended that operators wear self-priming filter-type gas masks (full-face masks), rubber acid- and alkali-resistant clothing, and rubber gloves. Stay away from flames and heat sources; smoking is strictly prohibited in the workplace. Use explosion-proof ventilation systems and equipment. Prevent steam from leaking into the workplace air. Avoid contact with oxidizers, acids, and bases. Handle with care during transportation to prevent damage to the packaging and containers. Equipped with fire-fighting equipment of appropriate types and quantities, as well as emergency response equipment for leaks. Provide safety showers and eye wash stations. Empty containers may still contain harmful substances. Storage notes: Store in a cool, well-ventilated warehouse. Keep away from flames and heat sources. The storage temperature should not exceed 30°C. In winter, the storage temperature should be maintained at no lower than 10°C. The packaging must be sealed to prevent contact with air. It should be stored separately from oxidizers, acids, and bases; mixed storage is strictly prohibited. Use explosion-proof lighting and ventilation facilities. The use of mechanical equipment and tools that can generate sparks is prohibited. The storage area should be equipped with emergency response equipment for leaks and appropriate containment materials. Transportation management: For railway transportation of this product, aluminum tank cars owned by the enterprise itself are used for shipping, and approval from the relevant authorities must be obtained prior to shipment. During railway transportation, loading must be carried out strictly in accordance with the dangerous goods stowage table specified in the Ministry of Railways’ \"Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods\". The packaging must be intact at the time of shipment, and the loading should be secure. During transportation, it is necessary to ensure that the container does not leak, collapse, fall, or get damaged. The tank trucks used for transportation should be equipped with grounding chains, and perforated partitions can be installed inside the tanks to reduce static electricity generated by vibrations. Mixing or transporting it together with oxidizers, acids, bases, food chemicals, etc. is strictly prohibited. When transporting by road, follow the designated routes and do not stop in residential areas or densely populated zones. Waste management: Disposed of by incineration. 1.73.5? Toxicology database: Acute toxicity: LD50: 200–800 mg/kg (oral, rats), 2700 mg/kg (dermal, rabbits). LC50: 590 mg/m3 (rat inhalation) ; When humans inhale 60–120 mg/m3, bronchitis occurs along with severe lung damage ; When humans inhale 12–24 mg/m3, the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa suffers severe burns, along with tearing and coughing ; Ingestion of 10–20 ml orally is fatal. Subacute and chronic toxicity: In rats exposed to 50–70 mg/m3 via inhalation, 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 35 weeks, hyperplasia of basal cells in the trachea and bronchi along with biochemical changes were observed ; When humans inhale 20–70 mg/m3 over an extended period, they experience loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, headaches, and insomnia ; When humans inhale 12 mg/m3 over a long period, it can cause drowsiness, weakness, headaches, finger tremors, and reduced vision. Severe irritation of the skin and mucous membranes occurs upon contact. Inhalation of formaldehyde by animals causes significant irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract. Upon autopsy of rats that died from inhalation poisoning, pulmonary edema and hemorrhage, as well as congestion in the liver and kidneys and perivascular edema were observed. Since formaldehyde can be broken down into methanol in the body, inhaling a certain amount may cause a mild narcotic effect. Formaldehyde can have a strong effect on the central nervous system, especially on the thalamus. Effects on the skin and mucous membranes: It causes severe irritation of the eyes and nasal mucous membranes, leading to tearing, salivation, and mucus discharge from the nose; in severe cases, orbital cellulitis and necrosis may occur. There are many reports on the long-term toxic effects of formaldehyde on animals (mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and teratogenicity) as well as its mechanism of action. Metabolism: Formaldehyde reacts rapidly in the mucosa of the respiratory and digestive tracts, binding to various functional groups or initiating polymerization reactions, and is quickly oxidized to formic acid in various tissues, especially in the liver and red blood cells ; In rodents, much formate is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water; a considerable amount of formate is excreted in urine, with part of it being converted into unstable methyl groups. Mechanism of poisoning: Formaldehyde has a strong irritant effect on the skin and mucous membranes, and repeated exposure to formaldehyde solutions can cause allergic dermatitis. The irritant effect of formaldehyde on tissues may be related to its interaction with proteins and amino acids; for example, it reacts with glycine to form methylpropanyltrimine tricarboxylic acid, leading to changes in the protein structure. As a hapten, formaldehyde can bind to proteins in the epidermis and activate T lymphocytes; upon re-exposure, it can trigger type IV hypersensitivity, manifesting as allergic contact dermatitis. The acidosis that occurs after large oral ingestion of formaldehyde is related to its rapid metabolism into formic acid in the body. In addition, industrial formaldehyde contains stabilizers such as methanol, and attention should be paid to the toxic effects caused by methanol present simultaneously. Irritation: Human eye exposure: 1 ppm/6 min (non-standard exposure), mild irritation. Human transdermal: 150 μg/3 days (intermittent), mild irritation. Sensitization: Can cause skin sensitization. Carcinogenicity: IARC carcinogenicity assessment: Positive in animals ; Humans are unclear. Mutagenicity: Microbial mutagenesis: Salmonella typhimurium 4 mg/L. Mammalian somatic cell mutations: human lymphocytes 130 μmol/L. Sister chromatid exchange: 37 ppb in human lymphocytes. Reproductive toxicity: Oral minimum toxic dose (TDL0) in rats: 200 mg/kg (1 day, males); it has an effect on sperm survival. Rat inhalation minimum toxic concentration (TCL0): 12 μg/m3 for 24 hours (gestation days 1–22), causing biochemical and metabolic changes in newborn rats. Hazard classification (GB 5044—85): Level II (high hazard). Ecotoxicological toxicity: Formaldehyde is quite stable in the environment; at a concentration of 5 mg/L in water (at 20°C), observations show that this level remains constant over a period of 5 days. When the formaldehyde concentration in water is <20 mg/L, it can be degraded and broken down by the microorganisms trained in the aeration tank. At a concentration of 100 mg/L, it can inhibit the oxidation of organic matter by microorganisms. When the formaldehyde concentration in water is 500 mg/L, the biological oxygen consumption process comes to a complete halt, and the microorganisms in the water are killed. Non-biodegradability: Due to its strong reducing properties, formaldehyde can be oxidized to formic acid in the presence of oxidizing substances. For example, formaldehyde that enters aquatic environments can be oxidized and broken down by saprophytic bacteria, thereby consuming the dissolved oxygen in the water. The further decomposition products of formic acid are carbon dioxide and water. Formaldehyde that enters the environment is gradually diluted, oxidized, and degraded under the combined effects of physical, chemical, and biological factors. 1.73.6? Emergency medical kit – Key diagnostic points: (1) Inhalation poisoning. Inhalation of formaldehyde vapor can cause conjunctivitis, keratitis, and bronchitis, with symptoms such as a burning sensation in the eyes, tearing, runny nose, sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath, and dry rales audible in the lungs. In severe cases, laryngeal edema and spasm as well as glottic edema occur; pneumonia develops in a few cases, and pulmonary edema is seen occasionally. (2) Oral poisoning. It initially presents as a burning sensation in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach, erosion of the oral mucosa, severe pain in the upper abdomen, bloody vomiting, along with diarrhea and blood in the stool. In severe cases, gastrointestinal erosion, ulcers, and perforation occur, along with difficulty breathing, shock, coma, and damage to liver and kidney function. (3) Skin lesions. Skin contact with formaldehyde can cause irritant and/or allergic contact dermatitis, manifesting as red papules ranging in size from millet to rice grain, with erythema or mild swelling of the surrounding skin and significant itching. Handling principles: (1) Those who have suffered inhalation poisoning should be quickly removed from the scene. Oxygen therapy and nebulized inhalation with 2% sodium bicarbonate, dexamethasone, etc., may be administered if necessary. Give cough suppressants and antispasmodics. Initially, 10 mg of dexamethasone was administered via intravenous push. When pneumonia or pulmonary edema occurs, appropriate treatment should be administered as early as possible. (2) After accidental ingestion, gastric lavage should be performed as soon as possible using clean water. After gastric lavage, 100 ml of 3% ammonium carbonate or 15% ammonium acetate can be administered to convert formaldehyde into hexamethylenetetramine, which is less toxic. Milk or soy milk should also be given orally to protect the gastric mucosa. (3) After contact with skin and mucous membranes, rinse thoroughly with plenty of water, then wash with soapy water or a 2% sodium bicarbonate solution, and change the contaminated clothing. (4) Antiallergic drugs can be given to those with allergies. Preventive measures: If formaldehyde vapor escapes during the production process, it should be contained; the application of formaldehyde should be carried out mechanically, local exhaust hoods should be installed, and ventilation in the workplace should be improved. When storing formaldehyde containers, it is important to ensure they are sealed and covered. Wear work clothes while working to prevent formalin solution from coming into contact with the skin. If necessary, a gas mask and face shield should be worn. Have regular physical examinations. Pay attention to personal hygiene; take a shower and change clothes after work. 1.68. 7? Detection and analysis database 1.73.7.1? Monitoring methods 1. On-site emergency monitoring methods (1) Direct water sample gas chromatography method. (2) Gas detection tube method: Rapid gas test tube (a product from German company Dräger). 2. Laboratory monitoring methods
Monitoring method, Category, Source
Phenol reagent spectrophotometry, Air; Compiled by Xu Bohong and Yan Huifang: “Monitoring Methods for Hazardous Substances in Workplaces”
Acetone spectrophotometry, Water quality; GB 13197—91
Acetone spectrophotometry, Air; GB/T 15500—95
Oscillatory polarography, Air in workplaces; WS/T 150—1999
Gas chromatography, Air; Compiled by Hang Shiping: “Methods for Determining Hazardous Substances in Air” (2nd edition)
Gas chromatography, Water quality; Compiled by Zhang Hongtao et al.: “Comprehensive Handbook of Water Quality Analysis”
1.7 3.7.2 Standards
1. Chinese occupational exposure limits (GBZ 2—2002)
Maximum allowable concentration (MAC), Time-weighted average allowable concentration (TWA), Short-term exposure limit (STEL): 0.5 mg/m3, —, —
2. Environmental standards
China (TJ 36—79): Maximum allowable concentration of hazardous substances in atmospheric air in residential areas: 0.05 mg/m3 (single measurement)
China (GB 16297—1996): Comprehensive emission standards for air pollutants
① Maximum allowable emission concentration (mg/m3): 30 (Table 1) ; 25 mg/m3 (Table 2) ②Maximum allowable emission rate (kg/h): Level 2: 0.3~6.4 ; 0.26~5.4 (Table 1). Level 3: 0.46~9.8 h ; 0.39~8.3 (Table 2) ③ Monitoring concentration limit for unorganized emissions (mg/m3): 0.20 (Table 2) ; 0.25 (Table 1)