What is formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smellinggas. Commonly known as a preservative inmedical laboratories and mortuaries,formaldehyde is also found in other productssuch as chemicals, particle board, householdproducts, glues, permanent press fabrics, paperproduct coatings, fiberboard, and plywood. It isalso widely used as an industrial fungicide,germicide, and disinfectant.

Although the term formaldehyde describesvarious mixtures of formaldehyde, water, andalcohol, the term “formalin” more preciselydescribes aqueous solutions, particularly thosecontaining 37 to 50 percent formaldehyde and6 to 15 percent alcohol stabilizer.

What should employers know aboutformaldehyde?

The OSHA standard that protects workersexposed to formaldehyde, Title 29 of the Codeof Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.1048,and equivalent regulations in states with OSHA-approved state plans apply to all occupationalexposures to formaldehyde from formaldehydegas, its solutions, and materials that releaseformaldehyde. The permissible exposure limits(PELs) for formaldehyde in the workplacecovered by the standard are 0.75 partsformaldehyde per million parts of air (0.75 ppm)measured as an 8-hour time-weighted average(TWA). The standard includes a second PEL inthe form of a short-term exposure limit (STEL)of 2 ppm that is the maximum exposure allowedduring a 15-minute period. The action level—which is the threshold for increased industrialhygiene monitoring and initiation of employeemedical surveillance—is 0.5 ppm whencalculated as an 8-hour TWA.

How can formaldehyde harmworkers?

Formaldehyde is a sensitizing agent that cancause an immune system response upon initialexposure. It is also a suspected humancarcinogen that is linked to nasal cancer and lungcancer. Acute exposure is highly irritating to the

eyes, nose, and throat and can make you coughand wheeze. Subsequent exposure may causesevere allergic reactions of the skin, eyes, andrespiratory tract. Ingestion of formaldehyde canbe fatal, and long-term exposure to low levels inthe air or on the skin can cause asthma-likerespiratory problems and skin irritation such asdermatitis and itching. Concentrations of 100 ppmare immediately dangerous to health or life.

How can workers be exposed toformaldehyde?

Workers can inhale formaldehyde as a gas orvapor or absorb it through the skin as a liquid.They can be exposed during the treatment oftextiles and the production of resins. Besideshealth care professionals and medical labtechnicians, groups at potentially high risk includemortuary employees as well as teachers andstudents who handle biological specimenspreserved with formaldehyde or formalin.

What must employers do to protectworkers from formaldehydeexposure?

Airborne concentrations of formaldehydeabove 0.1 ppm can cause irritation of therespiratory tract. The severity of irritationworsens as concentrations increase.

Some of the key provisions of the OSHAstandard require employers to do the following:

• Identify all employees who may be exposed toformaldehyde at or above the action level orSTEL through initial monitoring and determinetheir exposure.

• Reassign employees who suffer significantadverse effects from formaldehyde exposure tojobs with significantly less or no exposure untiltheir condition improves. Reassignmentprotection can continue for up to 6 months untilthe employee is determined able to return to theoriginal job or unable to return to work—whichever comes first.

■■■■■ Implement engineering and work practicecontrols to reduce and maintain employeeexposure to formaldehyde at or below the 8-hour

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TWA and the STEL. If these controls cannotreduce exposure to or below the PELs, you mustprovide your employees with respirators.

■■■■■ Label all mixtures or solutions composed ofgreater than 0.1 percent formaldehyde andmaterials capable of releasing formaldehyde intothe air at concentrations reaching or exceeding0.1 ppm. For all materials capable of releasingformaldehyde at levels above 0.5 ppm duringnormal use, the label must contain the works“potential cancer hazard.”

■■■■■ Train all employees exposed to formaldehydeconcentrations of 0.1 ppm or greater at the timeof initial job assignment and whenever a newexposure to formaldehyde is introduced into thework area. Repeat training annually.

■■■■■ Select, provide, and maintain appropriatepersonal protective equipment. Ensure thatemployees use this equipment such asimpervious clothing, gloves, aprons, andchemical splash goggles to prevent skin andeye contact with formaldehyde.

■■■■■ Provide showers and eyewash stations ifsplashing is likely.

■■■■■ Provide medical surveillance for all employeesexposed to formaldehyde at concentrations at orabove the action level or exceeding the STEL,for those who develop signs and symptoms ofoverexposure, and for all employees exposed toformaldehyde in emergencies.

Are there any recordkeepingrequirements concerning employeeexposures?

Employers are required to do the followingregarding employee exposure records:

■■■■■ Retain employee exposure records for 30 years.

■■■■■ Retain employee medical records for 30 yearsafter employment ends.

• Allow access to medical and exposure recordsby current and former employees or theirdesignated representatives upon request.

How can you get more informationon safety and health?

OSHA has various publications, standards,technical assistance, and compliance tools to helpyou, and offers extensive assistance throughworkplace consultation, voluntary protectionprograms, grants, strategic partnerships, stateplans, training, and education. OSHA’s Safetyand Health Program Management Guidelines(Federal Register 54:3904-3916, January 26,1989) detail elements critical to the developmentof a successful safety and health managementsystem. This and other information are availableon OSHA’s website.

■■■■■ For one free copy of OSHA publications, senda self-addressed mailing label to OSHAPublications Office, 200 Constitution AvenueN.W., N–3101, Washington, DC 20210; orsend a request to our fax at (202) 693-2498,or call us at (202) 693-1888.

■■■■■ To order OSHA publications online atwww.osha.gov, go to Publications andfollow the instructions for ordering.

■■■■■ To file a complaint by phone, report anemergency, or get OSHA advice, assistance,or products, contact your nearest OSHA officeunder the “U.S. Department of Labor” listingin your phone book, or call toll-free at (800)321-OSHA (6742). The teletypewriter(TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.

■■■■■ To file a complaint online or obtain moreinformation on OSHA federal and stateprograms, visit OSHA’s website.

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies, or standards. It does not imposeany new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations,refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individualsupon request. The voice phone is (202) 693-1999. See also OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.