Formaldehyde

On This Page

Overview
NIOSH Chemical Resources
Related NIOSH Resources
Selected Publications
International Resources

Overview

CAS No. 50-00-0

Formaldehyde (CH₂O) is a colorless, highly toxic, and flammable gas at room temperature. It is used in the production of fertilizer, paper, plywood, and some resins. It is also used as a food preservative and in household products, such as antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics. Exposure to formaldehyde can irritate the skin, throat, lungs, and eyes. Repeated exposure to formaldehyde can possibly lead to cancer. Workers may be harmed by exposure to formaldehyde. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.

Formaldehyde is used in many industries. It’s used in glues and resins, dyes, textiles, disinfectants, building materials, automobile parts, embalming, and laboratories. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to formaldehyde include the following:

Agricultural workers who work in confinement livestock production
Construction workers who work with resin manufactured products
Workers who manufacture plastics, resins and foam insulation
Morticians in the embalming process
Beauticians who apply dyes and smoothing products

NIOSH recommends that employers use Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injuries. If you work in an industry that uses formaldehyde, please read chemical labels and the accompanying Safety Data Sheet for hazard information. Visit NIOSH’s page on Managing Chemical Safety in the Workplace to learn more about controlling chemical workplace exposures.

The following resources provide information about occupational exposure to formaldehyde. Useful search terms for formaldehyde include “methanal,” “methyl aldehyde,” “methylene oxide.”

NIOSH Chemical Resources

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

The NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (NPG) helps workers, employers, and occupational health professionals recognize and control workplace chemical hazards.

Manual of Analytical Methods

The NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) is a collection of methods for sampling and analysis of contaminants in workplace air, and in the blood and urine of workers who are occupationally exposed.

Health Hazard Evaluations

The Health Hazard Evaluation Program (HHE) conducts onsite investigations of possible worker exposure to chemicals. Search the HHE database for more information on chemical topics.

Related NIOSH Resources

NIOSHTIC-2 search results on formaldehyde—NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable database of worker safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Value Profile: Formaldehyde—NIOSH reviews relevant scientific data and conducts research on methods for developing IDLH values.
NIOSH Worker Health Study Summaries–Embalming Students (Formaldehyde Exposure)—The NIOSH Worker Notification Program notifies workers and other stakeholders about the findings of these studies.
NIOSH Worker Health Study Summaries–Garment Workers—The NIOSH Worker Notification Program notifies workers and other stakeholders about the findings of these studies.

Selected Publications

Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 74-126 (1976)—Presents a standard to prevent the adverse effects of exposure to formaldehyde over a working lifetime.
NIOSH Skin Notation Profiles: Formaldehyde/Formalin —Understanding the risks related to skin contact with chemicals is critical.

Related Resources

International Resources

Page last reviewed: June 21, 2019

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health