Formaldehyde Solution 37%

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Appearance not available. Flash Point 50 deg C. Danger! Flammable liquid. May cause allergic skin reaction. This substance has caused adverse reproductive and fetal effects in animals. May cause central nervous system depression. Cannot be made non-poisonous. May cause liver and kidney damage. Causes eye and skin irritation. Causes digestive and respiratory tract irritation. May be fatal or cause blindness if swallowed. Contains formaldehye. Respiratory sensitizer. Potential cancer hazard. Vapor harmful. Target Organs: Kidneys, central nervous system, liver. Figure 11.3. Material Safety Data Sheet for Formaldehyde Solution (Reproduced by permission of Fisher Scientific.) NPS Museum Handbook, Part I (2001) 11:37

Potential health effects

Eye: Causes eye irritation. May cause chemical conjunctivitis and corneal damage. Skin: Causes skin irritation. May cause skin sensitization, an allergic reaction, which becomes evident upon re-exposure to this material. May cause cyanosis of the extremities. Ingestion: May be fatal or cause blindness if swallowed. Causes gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause liver and kidney damage. May cause central nervous system depression, characterized by excitement, followed by headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. Advanced stages may cause collapse, unconsciousness, coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. May cause central nervous system depression. Inhalation: Inhalation of high concentrations may cause central nervous system effects characterized by headache, dizziness, unconsciousness and coma. Causes respiratory tract irritation. May cause asthmatic attacks due to allergic sensitization of the respiratory tract. Aspiration may lead to pulmonary edema. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. May cause burning sensation in the chest. Chronic: Repeated exposure may cause skin discoloration and thickening and nail decay. Repeated inhalation is associated with nasal and nasopharyngeal cancer.