Material Safety Data Sheet
May be used to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, (Non-Mandatory Form)
29 CFR 1910.1200. This Standard must be Form Approved
consulted for specific requirements. OMB No. 1218-0072
IDENTITY: FORMALDEHYDE 37% SYNONYMS: Formalin, Morbicid Acid
Section I
Manufacturer's Name Emergency Telephone Number
AgroChem Inc (518) 226-4850
Address: Telephone Number for Information
21 Grande Blvd., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 226-4850
Date Prepared: 07/-1/06
Signature of Preparer (optional)
Section II - Hazard Ingredients/Identity Information
Hazardous Components (Specific OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV % wgt.
Chemical Identity; Common Name(s))
Water None Established None Established 48-56
7732-18-5
Formaldehyde 0.75 ppm TWA PEL; 2 ppm STEL; 0.5 0.3 ppm Ceiling 37-40
50-00-0 ppm TWA action level; Irritant and sensitizer
potential cancer hazard (29 CF 1910.1048)
Methanol 200 ppm TWA; 260 mg/m3 TWA 200 ppm TWA 7-12
67-56-1 skin- potential for
cutaneous absortion
Section III ?? Physical/Chemical Characteristics
Boiling Point 96?? C(205?? F) Specific Gravity (H2O = 1) 1.08
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg.) 1.3 mm Hg @ 20?? C Melting Point Not determined
Vapor Density (AIR = 1) 1.04 formaldehyde Evaporation Rate Not determined
0.62 Water (Butyl Acetate = 1)
1.11 methanol
Appearance and Odor: Clear, colorless liquid with a pungent odor.
Section IV - Fire and Explosion Hazard Data
Flash Point (Method Used) Flammable Limits LEL: 7% Formaldehyde UEL:73%Formaldehyde
67?? C (152?? F) 5.5% Methanol 36.5% Methanol
Extinguishing Media: Alcohol foam. Carbon dioxide. Dry chemical.
Special Exposure Hazards: Flammable Liquid. Above flash point, vapor-air mixtures may be explosive. Vapors can travel
to a source of ignition and flash back.
Special Protective Equipment: Fire fighters should wear full protective clothing, including self-contained breathing
equipment.
Section V - Reactivity Data
Stability:
Stable Yes
Conditions to Avoid: Keep away from heat, sparks and flame. Avoid any source
of ignition. Trioxymethylene precipitates can be formed on long standing at very
low temperatures.
Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid) Incompatible with oxidizers, alkalies, phenols and ureas. Reacts explosively with
nitrogen dioxide at approximately 356?? F. Reacts violently with perchloric acid, perchloric-aniline mixtures, and
nitromethane. Reaction with hydrochloric acid may form bis-chloromethyl ether, an OSHA carcinogen.
Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts: Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide.
Hazardous May YES Conditions to Avoid : Nonhazardous polymerization may occur at low
Polymerizat Occur temperatures, forming paraformaldehyde, a white solid.
ion
Will Not NO
Occur
Section VI - Health Hazard Data
Route(s) of Entry: Skin, Inhalation? Yes Skin? Yes Ingestion? Yes
eyes and respiratory tract
Health Hazards (Acute and Chronic)
Ingestion: May cause pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Larger doses may produce decreased body temperature, pain in
the digestive tract, shallow respiration, weak irregular pulse, unconsciousness and death. Methanol component affects optic
nerves and may cause blindness
Skin: Toxic. May cause irritation to skin with redness, pain and possibly burns. This product contains ingredients which
may produce an allergic skin reaction. It should be treated as a skin sensitizer.
Contact causes white discoloration, cracking, and scaling
Carcinogenicity: Yes NTP? Yes IARC Monographs? Group OSHA Regulated? Yes
2A and 2B carcinogen
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure: See Health Hazard Data
Medical Conditions: (Generally Aggravated by Exposure) Mutagenicity: Formaldehyde- Genotoxic potential was noted in
a variety of in vitro systems. Results in vivo have been mixed probably due to the presence of metabolic processes for
detoxifying.
Reproductive/Developmental Effects: Formaldehyde- In several studies suing various routes of administration, no adverse
effects were observed.
Emergency and First Aid Procedures:
Inhalation- If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration, preferably mouth to mouth. If
breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact: In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical
attention. Remove contaminated clothing and launder before reuse. Remove contaminated shoes and discard.
Eye Contact: In case of contact or suspended contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes
and get medical attention immediately after flushing. If swallowed, call a physician immediately. Never give anything by
mouth to an unconscious victim.
Section VII - Precautions for Safe Handling and Use
Steps to Be Taken in Case Material is Released or Spilled:
Formaldehyde:
When released into the soil, it is expected to leach into groundwater. When released into water, it is expected to readily
biodegrade, but will not evaporate significantly. When released into the air, it is expected to be readily biodegrade by
reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals, and by photolysis, and removed from the atmosphere by wet
and dry deposition.
Methanol:
When released into the soil, it is expected to leach into groundwater. When released into water, it is expected to readily
biodegrade, and to evaporate significantly. When released into the air, it is expected to be readily biodegrade by reaction
with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals, and by photolysis, and removed from the atmosphere by wet and dry
deposition.
Waste Disposal Method:
This product, if disposed as received, is a listed hazardous waste. Dispose of product in an approved chemical waste
landfill or incinerate in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local regulations. Since the emptied container retains
the product residue, all labeled hazard precautions must be observed.
Precautions to Be taken in Handling and Storing:
Danger! Combustible liquid. Corrosive liquid. Causes severe irritation and burns. May cause sensitization. POTENTIAL
CANCER HAZARD! Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Avoid breathing vapors, if exposed to high vapor
concentration, leave are at once. Wear chemical splash goggles, gloves and protective clothing when handling. Wash
thoroughly after handling
Storage: Keep in a tightly closed container. Outside or detached storage is preferred. Inside storage should be in a standard
flammable liquids storage room or cabinet. Avoid cross-contamination of street clothes when handling this product.
Conveying and processing equipment should be spark proof, electrically bonded and grounded. Protect from freezing in
storage and transit.
Other Precautions: None
Section VIII - Control Measures
Respiratory Protection (Specify Type)
Local Exhaust: yes Special
Ventilation: see handling and
storage information above.
Mechanical (General) Other
Protective Gloves: yes Eye Protection: yes
Other Protective Clothing or Equipment:
Respirator
Work/Hygienic Practices
Section IX - Special Precautions
Precautions to be taken in Handling and Storing
see above
Other Precautions
Each MSDS must be reviewed for correctness and completeness every three years.
Reviewed by ________________________ Reviewed by ________________________
Revision date ________________________ Revision date _______________________