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Date of Issue : Jan 2002 1. IDENTIFICATION
General Product Name : PARAFORMALDEHYDE Other Names : POLYOXYMETHYLENE ; PARAFORM ; FORMAGENE UN No. : 2213 Dangerous Goods Class : 4.1 Subsidiary Risk : None Allocated Hazchem Code : 1[Z] Pack Group : III EPG : 20 Poisons Schedule : 6 Uses : Fungicides, bactericides and disinfectants; adhesives, hardener and water- proofing agent for gelatin; contraceptive creams.
1.1 Physical Description / Properties
Appearance : White powder, prill or flake with characteristic odour. Formula : HO(CH2O)nH Boiling Point : Decom deg C Melting Point : 155 deg C Vapour Pressure : 1.5 mm Hg (1 atmosphere) Specific Gravity : 1.3 (water = 1) Flash Point : Open Cup 70 pH : 3.5 - 5.0 (10g/l @ 20 deg C) Solubility in water : Sol g/l (25 deg C) Flammability Limits (as percentage volume in air) Lower Explosion Limit : 7.0 Upper Explosion Limit : 73.0 1.2 Other Properties
Solubility in water = 25 g/100ml Density (kg/m3) = 600 - 800 Autoignition temperature = 370 deg C 1.3 Ingredients
2. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
2.1 Health Effects - Acute Swallowed
Harmful if swallowed. May cause severe and permanent damage to the digestive tract. Symptoms may include headache, excitement, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stupor and coma. May cause severe digestive tract irritation with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Eye
Causes irritation, redness and watering of eyes. Prolonged exposure may cause permanent eye damage. Skin
May be absorbed through the skin in harmful amounts. Prolonged and/or repeated exposure may cause irritation and/or dermatitis. May cause hives. May cause severe skin irritation with possible burns, especially if skin is wet or moist. Inhaled
May cause severe irritation of the upper respiratory tract with pain, burns and inflammation. May cause lung damage. May cause anosmia (loss of smell). 2.2 Health Effects - Chronic
Formaldehyde is a Category 2 Carcinogen (probable human carcinogen) but working below the maximum exposure limit is expected to virtually eliminate any carcinogenic risk. Prolonged or repeated eye contact may cause conjunctivitis. Repeated inhalation may cause chronic bronchitis. Risk of lung oedema. Gastric lavage indicated for complete emptying.
2.3 First Aid
Swallowed
DO NOT induce vomiting. If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Seek medical aid immediately.
Eye
Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower lids. Seek medical aid immediately.
Skin
Remove affected clothing and wash all exposed skin with mild soap and water, followed by warm water rinse. Seek medical attention.
Inhaled
Remove patient to fresh air and keep warm. Seek medical attention. In severe cases the patient should avoid exertion such as walking and should be carried by stretcher or chair.
First Aid Facilities
Ensure an eye bath and safety shower are available and ready for use.
2.5 Advice to Doctor
Inhalation of high concentrations can cause pulmonary edema. Treatment for ingestion includes gastric lavage with water or saline until clear followed by activated charcoal with saline or sorbitol catharsis. Treat exposed person for anion-gap acidosis. Concurrently monitor blood methanol levels. For acidosis, use dialysis to remove formic acid.
2.6 Toxicity Data
Oral LD50 = 1468 mg/kg (rat) Dermal LD50 = 270 mg/kg (rabbit)
3. PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
3.1 Exposure Standards
Worksafe recommends the following exposure standards : Formaldehyde : TWA = 1 ppm (1.2 mg/m3) STEL = 2 ppm (2,5 mg/m3) Carcinogen Category 2 (probable human carcinogen) Sensitiser. Worksafe has proposed the following change to the exposure standard : Formaldehyde : TWA = 0.3 ppm (0.37 mg/m3) Peak Limitation (January 1997)
3.2 Engineering Controls
General or local exhaust ventilation should be used to control airborne levels.
3.3 Personal Protection
Respiratory protection - an approved organic vapour respirator/supplied air or self-contained breathing apparatus must be used when vapour concentration exceeds applicable exposure limits. Skin protection - wear suitable gloves. Eye protection - wear safety glasses.
3.4 Flammability
Slight fire hazard. SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION
4.1 Storage / Transport
Store in a dry, cool, area. Keep away form heat. Avoid contact with incompatible materials such as oxidising agents as product can react violently. When mixed with air and exposed to ignition source, sufficient flammable dust may exist to burn in open or explode if confined. Avoid raising any powdered material into dust explosion hazard. Product may decompose when exposed to high temperatures, releasing explosive vapours. Keep containers sealed. When using this product, do not eat, drink or smoke.
4.2 Packaging / Labelling UN No. 2213 Class 4.1 Sub Risk None Allocated Hazchem Code 1[Z] Pack Group III EPG No. 20 Shipping Name PARAFORMALDEHYDE Hazard HARMFUL
Risk Phrases R22 Harmful if swallowed.
Safety Phrases S24/25 Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
4.3 Spills and Disposal
Spills
Prevent substance entering drains, watercourses and sewers. Avoid generating dusty conditions. Remove all sources of ignition.
Sweep up, then place into suitable containers for disposal.
Disposal
Recover or reuse waste if possible, otherwise, dispose in a safe manner in accordance with local/national regulations.
4.4 FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD Fire / Explosion
Paraformaldehyde is a flammable solid but the fire hazard is normally small. The vapour is heavier than air and is an explosive hazard. May evolve toxic fumes when heated. Evolves a flammable gas at high temperatures. Avoid oxidising agents. Avoid direct heat, naked flames and ensure that equipment is earthed. Can react violently with oxidising agents. Contact with Hydrochloric acid (and other sources of the Chloride ion) in particular should be avoided as it is known that under certain circumstances this will create BCME (Bis-Chloromethyl Ether) and a known human carcinogen.
Extinguishing Media
Use foam, water fog, dry chemical to extinguish. DO NOT use carbon dioxide to extinguish. In case of fire and/or explosion, do not breathe fumes. Fire fighters should wear full protective gear such as a self-contained breathing apparatus. 5 OTHER INFORMATION
Other Information
Slowly miscible with water. Biodegradable in soil and water. Does not bio-accumulate in soil. Mobility - may polymerise (Formaldehyde) LC50 96 hour = 50 mg/l Daphnia magna LC50 (14 d) = 2 ppm Bacteria EC50 = 1 mg/l Algae IC50 = 0.3 - 0.5 mg/l
5.1 Contact Points
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The information above is believed to be accurate and represents the best information currently available to us. However, we make no warranty of merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to such information, and we assume no liability resulting from its use.
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