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Formamide

RTECS #
LQ0525000
CAS #
75-12-7
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2013
Molecular Weight
45.05
Molecular Formula
CH3NO
Synonyms
Amid kyseliny mravenci (Czech)
Carbamaldehyde
Formamide (ACGIH)
Formimidic acid
Methanamide
Methanoic acid, amide

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
eye /rabbit 100 mg severeAJOPAA 29,1363,1946

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
Cytogenetic Analysisother cell types/non-mammalian species500 mmol/LCAANAT 56,712,1972
other mutation test systemsother cell types/non-mammalian species500 mmol/LCAANAT 56,712,1972

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/rabbit 910 mg/kg (6-18D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system
ARZNAD 30,1557,1980
oral/mouse 200 mg/kg (multigeneration))Reproductive: Maternal effects: Menstrual cycle changes or disorders

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured before birth)

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Other measures of fertility
TOXID9 13,76,1993
oral/rat 1.4 gm/kg (6-19D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)NTIS** #PB99-139701
oral/rabbit 2.88 gm/kg (6-29D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Abortion

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Stillbirth
NTIS** #PB2001-104060
oral/rabbit 3.36 gm/kg (6-29D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured before birth)NTIS** #PB2001-104060
oral/mouse 6.8 gm/kg (7D male/7D prior to copulation/21D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured before birth)

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Other measures of fertility
NTIS** #PB93-109213
oral/mouse 6.8 gm/kg (7D prior to copulation/21D pregnant)Reproductive: Maternal effects: Menstrual cycle changes or disorders

Reproductive: Maternal effects: Parturition
NTIS** #PB93-109213
oral/mouse 195 mg/kg (multigenerations)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured before birth)

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Growth statistics (e.g., reduced weight gain)
NTIS** #PB93-109213
oral/rat 14.6 gm/kg (91D male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm ductCRTXB2 31,139,2001
oral/mouse 14.6 gm/kg (91D male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm ductCRTXB2 31,139,2001
oral/rabbit 805 mg/kg (6-29D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on female

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Abortion
TOSCF2 69,165,2002
oral/rabbit 3220 mg/kg (6-29D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on female

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Abortion

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal death
TOSCF2 69,165,2002
oral/rat 2000 mg/kg (7D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)TPKVAL 9,163,1967
oral/rat 2 gm/kg (7D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)
85DJA5 -,95,1971
oral/rat 7980 mg/kg (7-12D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Craniofacial (including nose and tongue)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system
85DJA5 -,95,1971
skin/rat 1200 mg/kg (10-11D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal deathTXAPA9 41,35,1977

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
In Vitro/Human, liver tumor Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 662 mmol/L/24HIn Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell protein synthesisTIVIEQ 3,189,1989
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 0.07 gm/m3TPKVAL 11,86,1969
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 11 gm/m3TPKVAL 9,163,1967
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): >3900 ppm/6HNTIS** OTS0528421
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 0.07 gm/m3/4HBrain and Coverings: Changes in circulation

Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Recording from peripheral motor nerve

Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)
TPKVAL 9,163,1967
intraperitoneal/guinea pig lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1250 mg/kgBlood: Changes in spleen

Reproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count)

Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct
TPKVAL 9,163,1967
intraperitoneal/guinea pig lowest published toxic dose: 125 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Changes in lung weight

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Glycolytic
TPKVAL 9,163,1967
intraperitoneal/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2450 mg/kgAEPPAE 230,559,1957
intraperitoneal/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5700 mg/kgTXAPA9 26,596,1973
intravenous/Dog lowest published lethal dose: 1500 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1289,1935
intravenous/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5.1 gm/kgENTOX* -,377,2005
intravenous/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5.6 gm/kgENTOX* -,377,2005
ocular/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 10 pphEye: Conjunctiva irritationTPKVAL 9,163,1967
ocular/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 50 pphEye: Conjunctiva irritation

Eye: Corneal damage
TPKVAL 9,163,1967
oral/mammal (species unspecified) lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3150 mg/kgGISAAA 39(4),86,1974
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2450 mg/kgTPKVAL 11,86,1969
oral/mouse lowest published lethal dose: 4800 mg/kgTPKVAL 9,163,1967
oral/mouse lethal dose (16 percent kill): 1900 mg/kgBehavioral: Ataxia

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea
TPKVAL 9,163,1967
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3150 mg/kgSpinal Cord: Changes in circulation

Vascular: Other changes

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Changes in pulmonary vascular resistance
TPKVAL 9,163,1967
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5577 mg/kgGastrointestinal: Gastritis

Gastrointestinal: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis)
TPKVAL 9,163,1967
oral/rat lethal dose (16 percent kill): 5100 mg/kgLiver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Incontinence

Blood: Hemorrhage
TPKVAL 9,163,1967
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4000 mg/kgTPKVAL 9,163,1967
oral/rat lowest published lethal dose: 7450 mg/kgBrain and Coverings: Changes in circulation

Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Recording from peripheral motor nerve

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold
TPKVAL 9,163,1967
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5570 mg/kgBehavioral: Alteration of classical conditioningTPKVAL 11,86,1969
oral/rat lowest published lethal dose: 5000 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Fibrosis (interstitial)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Changes in lung weight

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Multiple enzyme effects
TPKVAL 9,163,1967
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 17 gm/kgNTIS** OTS0528421
skin/rat Lethal dose: >13500 mg/kgPJPPAA 32,223,1980
subcutaneous/frog lowest published lethal dose: 30 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1289,1935
subcutaneous/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): >4 gm/kgAPEPA2 257,296,1967
unreported route/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3150 mg/kgTPKVAL 9,3,1967
unreported route/pig lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1250 mg/kgTPKVAL 9,3,1967
unreported route/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3 gm/kgEXPEAM 29,225,1973

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 1500 ppm/6H/2W- intermittentBlood: Changes in leukocyte (WBC) count

Blood: Changes in platelet count

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
FAATDF 13,702,1989
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 0.006 gm/m3/30D- intermittentVascular: BP lowering not characterized in autonomic section

Vascular: Structural changes in vessels

Blood: Luekopenia
TPKVAL 11,86,1969
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 0.006 gm/m3/122D- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Chronic pulmonary edema or congestion

Blood: Changes in spleen
TPKVAL 11,86,1969
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 0.05 mg/m3/30D- continuousBiochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: True cholinesterase

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Catalases
TOVEFN -,30,2010
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 0.05 mg/m3/60D- continuousLiver: Other changes

Blood: Changes in leukocyte (WBC) count

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Dehydrogenases
TOVEFN -,30,2010
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 0.05 mg/m3/90D- continuousBlood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: True cholinesterase

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other oxidoreductases
TOVEFN -,30,2010
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 0.5 mg/m3/30D- continuousLiver: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: True cholinesterase

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other oxidoreductases
TOVEFN -,30,2010
oral/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 805 mg/kg/23D- intermittentRelated to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type fieldTOSCF2 69,165,2002
oral/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 2880 mg/kg/24D- intermittentGastrointestinal: Decreased motility or constipationNTIS** #PB2001-104060
oral/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 910 mg/kg/13D- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainNTIS** #PB99-139701
oral/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 840 mg/kg/7D- intermittentBehavioral: Food intake (animal)NTIS** #PB99-139701
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 3500 mg/kg/14D- intermittentBehavioral: Food intake (animal)

Behavioral: Fluid intake

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
NTIS** #PB99-139701
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 800 mg/kg/4D- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainNTIS** #PB99-139701
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 910 mg/kg/26W- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS

Liver: Liver function tests impaired

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Proteinuria
GISAAA 52(3),72,1987
skin/rat lowest published toxic dose: 27 gm/kg/90D- intermittentBlood: Pigmented or nucleated red blood cells

Skin: After systemic exposure: Dermatitis, other

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
NTIS** OTS0535890

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 10 ppm (skin)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCRTXB2 31,139,2001
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,377,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTXCYAC 286,1,2011

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 10 ppm (18 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 9 ppm (16 mg/m3);KZW 18 ppm (32 mg/m3), skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 10 ppm (18 mg/m3), Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 10 ppm (18 mg/m3), skin, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 10 ppm (19 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 20 ppm (37 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 20 ppm (30 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 10 ppm (18 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 10 ppm (15 mg/m3), skin, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 20 ppm (30 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 30 ppm (45 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 10 ppm (18 mg/m3), skin, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 10 ppm (18 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 10 ppm (19 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAshort term exposure limit 3 mg/m3, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 10 ppm (20 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 15 ppm (30 mg/m3), Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 10 ppm (18 mg/m3), skin, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 16 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 20 ppm (37 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 30 ppm (56 mg/m3), OCT2007

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO FORMAMIDE-air10H time-weighted average 10 ppm (Sk)NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 84454; Number of Industries 3; Total Number of Facilities 42; Number of Occupations 5; Total Number of Employees Exposed 2724; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 556
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 84454; Number of Industries 6; Total Number of Facilities 227; Number of Occupations 14; Total Number of Employees Exposed 3195

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: Cell transform.-RLV F344 rat embryo
EPA TSCA 8(a) PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION, FINAL RULEFEREAC 47,26992,82
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NTP Carcinogenesis studies; selected, October 2000
NTP Carcinogenesis studies; test completed (peer review), October 2000
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018