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Product Name: Paraformaldehyde
Chemical Formula: (CH₂O)n
Synonyms: Polyoxymethylene, Paraform
Recommended Use: Laboratory fixative, disinfectant, chemical intermediate
Manufacturer: Various chemical suppliers
Emergency Contact: Refer to package insert or supplier documentation for current numbers
UN Number: 2213
CAS Number: 30525-89-4
Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation); Skin irritation; Eye irritation; Carcinogenicity, respiratory sensitizer
Hazard Statements: Releases formaldehyde gas which can cause eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. May cause allergic skin or respiratory reaction. Prolonged exposure linked to cancer; toxic if swallowed, inhaled, or upon skin contact.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or fumes. Wear protective gear. Handle only with proper ventilation.
Chemical Name: Paraformaldehyde
Concentration: Typically 91-95% (remainder: water, methanol, trace substances)
Impurities: Can contain small amounts of methanol and free formaldehyde depending on storage and age
Relevant Regulations: OSHA, ACGIH, NIOSH limits apply to formaldehyde content
Inhalation: Move to fresh air straight away; provide oxygen if breathing is difficult; call for medical help
Skin Contact: Take off contaminated clothes; rinse skin with water for at least fifteen minutes; seek medical attention if irritation or burns develop
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present; keep rinsing; get immediate medical help
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth; drink water if conscious and alert, but seek immediate medical attention regardless of symptoms
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam
Unsuitable Media: Do not use direct water jet on burning powder
Special Hazards: Formaldehyde vapors released by heat can flash ignite; combustion gives toxic fumes including CO and formaldehyde gas
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear; evacuate area if necessary due to toxic smoke
Personal Precautions: Evacuate spill area; ventilate if safe; avoid breathing dust or vapors
Protective Equipment: Use chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and respirator
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up paraformaldehyde, avoid creating dust clouds, collect in secure container for disposal; decontaminate area with water and detergent; ventilate
Environmental Precautions: Prevent dust and runoff from entering drains or watercourses
Handling: Work with paraformaldehyde in a well-ventilated area under fume extraction if possible; minimize dust; never eat, drink, or smoke near chemical
Storage: Keep container tightly closed and labeled; store in cool, dry, well-ventilated space, away from heat, sparks, and incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers, acids, or bases; avoid conditions that promote decomposition or gas release
Special Requirements: Regularly inspect containers for leaks; keep separate from food and animal feeds
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust and mechanical ventilation; handle inside chemical fume hood where possible
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear impervious gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat or apron; use NIOSH-approved respirator when dust or formaldehyde vapors present
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL (Formaldehyde): 0.75 ppm TWA; ACGIH TLV: 0.3 ppm ceiling
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking; remove all protective clothing before leaving work area
Form: White crystalline powder or granules
Odor: Pungent, characteristic of formaldehyde
Melting Point: Depolymerizes at 120°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable — decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohol, ether
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at standard temperature
Density: Approximately 1.42 g/cm³
pH: Slight acidic behavior in solution
Decomposition: Gives off formaldehyde vapor and water upon heating
Chemical Stability: Stable at room temperature but slowly depolymerizes; sensitive to moisture and heat
Hazardous Reactions: Can react violently with strong acids, bases, oxidizers; forms combustible mixtures with air when formaldehyde gas released
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, high temperature, open flames, static electricity
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Polymerization: May occur under certain conditions releasing hazardous gas
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin or eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Formaldehyde is highly irritating to mucous membranes; can produce coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and pulmonary edema in severe cases; burning sensation on skin and eyes
Chronic Effects: Chronic exposure increases risk for cancer, especially nasopharyngeal and leukemia in lab workers
Sensitization: Repeated contact can cause allergic dermatitis or asthma
Carcinogenicity: Classified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, EPA
Aquatic Toxicity: Paraformaldehyde hydrolyzes to formaldehyde, which is toxic to aquatic life at low concentrations
Biodiversity Impact: Formaldehyde can cause fish kills and inhibit biodegradation
Persistence: Breaks down to harmless compounds but not quickly; risk of bioaccumulation is low but short-term toxicity is high
Soil Mobility: Low mobility as solid but formaldehyde gas can evaporate rapidly
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose according to local, regional, and national regulations; incinerate at high temperature with scrubbing system or use licensed hazardous waste handler
Container Disposal: Triple rinse containers before disposal; decontaminate before recycling or landfilling, depending on regulatory requirements
Do Not: Do not release into drains, sewers, or water supplies
UN Number: 2213
UN Proper Name: PARAFORMALDEHYDE
Hazard Class: 4.1 (Flammable Solid)
Packing Group: III
Label: Flammable Solid
Transport Precautions: Keep away from ignition sources, transport in approved containers, ensure proper labeling and documentation
Regulated For Transport: Yes, follow ADR, IATA, IMDG codes as required
OSHA: Listed as hazardous; specific standard for formaldehyde
TSCA: Listed
EINECS/ELINCS: Listed
SARA Title III: Section 302/313 applies for releases of formaldehyde
California Prop 65: Listed as known carcinogen
Other Country Regulations: Subject to similar controls in EU, Canada, Japan
Worker Training: Employers must provide training on health hazards and handling procedures
