exposure is highly irritating to the eyes, nose, and

throat and can make anyone exposed cough and

wheeze. Subsequent exposure may cause severe

allergic reactions of the skin, eyes and respiratory

tract. Ingestion of formaldehyde can be fatal, and

long-term exposure to low levels in the air or on

the skin can cause asthma-like respiratory problems and skin irritation such as dermatitis and

itching. Concentrations of 100 ppm are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH).

Note: The National Institute for Occupational

Safety and Health (NIOSH) considers 20 ppm of

formaldehyde to be IDLH.

Routes of Exposure

Workers can inhale formaldehyde as a gas or

vapor or absorb it through the skin as a liquid.

They can be exposed during the treatment of textiles and the production of resins. In addition to

healthcare professionals and medical lab technicians, groups at potentially high risk include mortuary workers as well as teachers and students

who handle biological specimens preserved with

formaldehyde or formalin.

How Employers Can Protect Workers

Airborne concentrations of formaldehyde above

0.1 ppm can cause irritation of the respiratory

tract. The severity of irritation intensifies as concentrations increase.

Provisions of the OSHA standard require employers to do the following:

• Identify all workers who may be exposed to

formaldehyde at or above the action level or

STEL through initial monitoring and determine

their exposure.

Although the term formaldehyde describes various mixtures of formaldehyde, water, and alcohol,

the term “formalin” is used to describe a saturated

solution of formaldehyde dissolved in water,

typically with another agent, most commonly

methanol, added to stabilize the solution. Formalin

is typically 37% formaldehyde by weight (40% by

volume) and 6-13% methanol by volume in water.

The formaldehyde component provides the disinfectant effects of formalin.

What Employers Should Know

The OSHA Formaldehyde standard (29 CFR

1910.1048) and equivalent regulations in states

with OSHA-approved state plans protects workers

exposed to formaldehyde and apply to all occupational exposures to formaldehyde from formaldehyde gas, its solutions, and materials that release

formaldehyde.

• The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for

formaldehyde in the workplace is 0.75 parts

formaldehyde per million parts of air (0.75 ppm)

measured as an 8-hour time-weighted average

(TWA).

• The standard includes a second PEL in the form

of a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 2 ppm

which is the maximum exposure allowed during a 15-minute period.

• The action level – which is the standard’s trigger for increased industrial hygiene monitoring

and initiation of worker medical surveillance –

is 0.5 ppm when calculated as an 8-hour TWA.

Harmful Effects on Workers

Formaldehyde is a sensitizing agent that can

cause an immune system response upon initial

exposure. It is also a cancer hazard. Acute

FactSheet

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas often found in aqueous (waterbased) solutions. Commonly used as a preservative in medical laboratories and

mortuaries, formaldehyde is also found in many products such as chemicals, particle

board, household products, glues, permanent press fabrics, paper product coatings,

fiberboard, and plywood. It is also widely used as an industrial fungicide, germicide

and disinfectant.
This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or

standards. It does not impose any 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 individuals upon request.

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; the teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.

• Reassign workers who suffer significant

adverse effects from formaldehyde exposure to

jobs with significantly less or no exposure until

their condition improves. Reassignment may

continue for up to 6 months until the worker is

determined to be able to return to the original

job or to be unable to return to work – whichever comes first.

• Implement feasible engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain worker

exposure to formaldehyde at or below the 8-

hour TWA and the STEL. If these controls cannot reduce exposure to or below the PELs,

employers must provide workers with respirators.

• Label all mixtures or solutions composed of

greater than 0.1 percent formaldehyde and

materials capable of releasing formaldehyde

into the air at concentrations reaching or

exceeding 0.1 ppm. For all materials capable of

releasing formaldehyde at levels above 0.5 ppm

during normal use, the label must contain the

words “potential cancer hazard.”

• Train all workers exposed to formaldehyde concentrations of 0.1 ppm or greater at the time of

initial job assignment and whenever a new

exposure to formaldehyde is introduced into

the work area. Repeat training annually.

• Select, provide and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Ensure that

workers use PPE such as impervious clothing,

gloves, aprons, and chemical splash goggles to

prevent skin and eye contact with formaldehyde.

• Provide showers and eyewash stations if

splashing is likely.

• Provide medical surveillance for all workers

exposed to formaldehyde at concentrations at

or above the action level or exceeding the

STEL, for those who develop signs and symptoms of overexposure, and for all workers

exposed to formaldehyde in emergencies.

Recordkeeping Requirements

Employers are required to do the following

regarding worker exposure records:

• Retain exposure records for 30 years.

• Retain medical records for 30 years after

employment ends.

• Allow access to medical and exposure records

to current and former workers or their designated representatives upon request.

Additional Information

For more information on this, and other healthrelated issues affecting workers, visit OSHA’s web

site at www.osha.gov.

Occupational Safety

and Health Administration

www.osha.gov 1-800-321-6742

For assistance, contact us. We can help. It’s confidential.

DSG 4/2011