Formaldehyde Exposure Facts
01:02 Jun 22 2023
Times Read: 111
Formaldehyde (HCHO):
Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a strong, pungent, irritating odor.
Health Hazards of Formaldehyde:
Cancer – In humans, formaldehyde exposure has been associated with cancers of the lung, nasopharynx cancers of the lung, nasopharynx and oropharynx and nasal passages.
Toxicity: Persons may develop asthma or bronchitis following formaldehyde exposure.
Routes of Entry and Signs or Symptoms of Formaldehyde Exposure:
Inhalation (Breathing)– Highly irritating to upper respiratory tract. May cause inflammation to lining of the nose, throat and lungs with bronchopneumonia and edema from extremely irritating exposure.
Signs or Symptoms: Dry or sore throat, itching and burning sensations the nose and nasal congestion. Lower airway irritation characterized by cough, chest tightness and wheezing.
Skin (splash or spill)– Contact with liquid causes drying, cracking and scaling. Prolonged and repeated contact causes a hardening or tanning effect. May cause allergic dermatitis.
Signs or Symptoms: Irritation of the skin and allergic contact dermatitis (including redness of skin, swelling and /or hives).
Eye contact (splash or spill): Exposure to high vapor concentrations or contact with liquid causes tearing and severe irritation. Contact with liquid causes severe burns.
Signs or Symptoms: Burning, itching, redness & tearing.
Ingestion (drinking or splashing): Poisonous if swallowed. Causes severe irritation to mouth, throat and stomach. Severe stomach pains will follow with possible loss of consciousness. Blindness or death may occur.
Signs or Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, & severe abdominal pain. Irritation & inflammation of the mouth, throat & stomach.
Embalmers could be exposed to formaldehyde at concentrations averaging up to 9 parts per million (ppm) during embalming.
Short-term exposures to this strong-smelling gas cause eye, nose, and throat irritation at levels up to 5 ppm.
At levels from 10 to 20 ppm, it causes cough, chest tightness, and unusual heart beat; from 50 to 100 ppm, fluid on the lungs, followed by death.
Exposure to formaldehyde over a long time may also cause cancer.
Exposure Levels defined:
PEL: Permissible Exposure Limit Permitted by Occupational Regulations
PPM: Parts Per Million (.75 part formaldehyde per .75 million parts of air)
STEL: Short Term Exposure; Limit for a 15 minute period. Below 2.0 ppm STEL (Short Term Exposure Level) 15-minute test.
TWA: Time Weighted Average for an8-hour period or8-hour period or Full shift.
Below 0.75 ppm as an 8-hour TWA.
0.50 ppm is an Action Level: Specific steps must betaken to reduce the levels and protect employees.
Hazard Communication23:59 Jun 21 2023
Times Read: 129
Four Key Parts to the Program are:
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
Labeling
Written Plan
Employee Training.
SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDS) List:
Company Information
Hazardous Ingredients
Physical Data
Fire & Explosion Data
Health Hazard Data
Reactivity Data
Spill & Leak Procedures
Special Protection Information
Special Precautions.
SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS) Company Information:
Product Name
Manufacturer name
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Emergency Phone Number.
SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS) Hazardous Ingredients:
COMMON CHEMICAL HAZARDS:
Physical Hazards: Act Outside The Body To Produce A Dangerous Situation.
Health Hazards: Cause Internal Damage To Body Organs And Processes.
PHYSICAL HAZARDS:
Explosives, Fire Hazards; Flammables, Combustibles, Oxidizers.
Reactive Chemicals; Compressed Gasses.
SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDS) Physical Data:
SDS lists common properties include boiling point, specific gravity, vapor pressure, melting point, vapor density, evaporation rate, solubility, appearance and odor, pH, and physical state.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS) Fire & Explosion Data:
Necessary fire extinguishing equipment.
Any special information regarding fire and explosive hazards.
SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDS) Health Hazard Data:
HEALTH HAZARDS INCLUDE:
Target Organ Chemicals
Reproductive Hazards
Carcinogens
Sensitizers
Corrosives
Irritants.
SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDS) Reactivity Data:
Reactivity data tells you which chemicals are incompatible with this product. It also lists information on the stability and instability and it gives information regarding special conditions for use and storage.
SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDS) Spill and Leak procedures:
Steps to be taken in case material is spilled or released. It also describes waste disposal methods, handling and storage, and any special precautions that should be employed in working with this product.
SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDS) Special Protection Information:
Personal Protective Equipment to be worn, and other protection procedures.
Emergency & First Aid Procedures.
LABELING REQUIREMENTS:
Each container must have a label identifying the contents. The label will list: Chemical Name And Trade Name, If Any. Chemical of Material Name Must Be The Same As On The MSDS, Name And Address Manufacturer, Appropriate Hazard Warnings.
CHEMICAL INFORMATION LIST (CIL):
Your Location is to have an Alphabetical Listing of ALL hazardous substances in the workplace.- It must be updated as new chemicals are brought into your workplace.
You should never have any unattended, unlabeled containers in your workplace!
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