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Chemical Identifying Information for formaldehyde
CAS NUMBER: 50-00-0
SYNONYMS:
1) Gaseous form:
2) Aqueous solution:
NIOSH Registry Number: LP8925000
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CHEMICAL FORMULA: CH2O
MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 30.03
WLN: VHH
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Gas: nearly colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor [704] Solution: clear, colorless liquid.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 1.081-1.085 @ 25/25 C (37% solution) [031]
DENSITY: 0.815 @ 20C/4C [706]
MELTING POINT: -92 C [706]
BOILING POINT: 96 C (37% solution) [031],[036] -21 C (gas) [706]
SOLUBILITY:
Water: >=100 mg/mL @ 20.5 C [700]
DMSO: >=100 mg/mL @ 20.5 C [700]
95% Ethanol: >=100 mg/mL @ 20.5 C [700]
Acetone: >=100 mg/mL @ 20.5 C [700]
OTHER SOLVENTS:
Petroleum ether: Insoluble [025]
Ether: Soluble [017],[172]
Benzene: Soluble [017]
Most organic solvents: Soluble [025]
Chloroform: Immiscible [295]
OTHER PHYSICAL DATA:
Refractive index: 1.3746 @ 20 C [031]
Pungent, suffocating odor [025]
pH: 2.8-4.0 [031]
Burning taste [455]
Specific gravity: 0.815 @ 20/4 C [172]
HAP WEIGHTING FACTOR: 1 [713]
VOLATILITY:
Vapor pressure: 93.60 mm Hg @ 38 C [700]
Vapor density: 1.0 [451]
FIRE HAZARD: Formaldehyde has a flash point of 85 C (185 F) (058). It is combustible. Fires involving this material may be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. A water spray may also be used [036],[058].
The autoignition temperature of formaldehyde is 430 C (806 F) [043].
LEL: 7.0% [043],[051],[451] UEL: 73.0% [043],[051],[451]
REACTIVITY: Formaldehyde is a strong reducing agent, especially in the presence of alkalis. It is incompatible with ammonia, alkalis, tannin, bisulfides, iron preparations, copper salts, iron salts, silver salts, iodine and potassium permanganate. It combines directly with albumin, casein, gelatin, agar and starch to form insoluble compounds [031]. It reacts violently with nitrous oxides at about 180 C, (HClO4 + aniline), performic acid, nitromethane, manganese carbonate and hydrogen peroxide [043]. It reacts with strong oxidizers and acids [346]. It is also incompatible with phenols [295].
STABILITY: Formaldehyde may become cloudy upon standing, especially at cool temperatures. It slowly oxidizes in air. It is sensitive to exposure to light [169],[295]. It is polymerized in aqueous solutions if unstabilized [169]. Solutions of it in water, DMSO, 95% ethanol or acetone should be stable for 24 hours under normal lab conditions [700].
USES: Formaldehyde is used as a preservative, disinfectant and antiseptic, in embalming solutions and in the manufacture of phenolic resins, artificial silk, cellulose esters, dyes, urea, thiourea, melamine resins, organic chemicals, glass mirrors and explosives. It is also used in improving fastness of dyes on fabrics, in tanning and preserving hides, in mordanting and waterproofing fabrics, as a germicide and fungicide for vegetables and other plants, in destroying flies and other insects, in preserving and coagulating rubber latex and to prevent mildew and spelt in wheat and rot in oats. It is used to render casein, albumin, and gelatin insoluble, in chemical analysis, as a tissue fixative, as a component of particle board and plywood and in the manufacture of pentaerythritol, hexamethylenetetramine and 1,4-butanediol. It is also used in ceiling and wall insulation, in resins used to wrinkle-proof fabrics, in photography for hardening gelatin plates and papers, for toning gelatin-chloride papers and for chrome printing and developing. It is an intermediate in drug manufacture and a pesticide intermediate.
COMMENTS: Commercial formulations generally consist of a 37% by weight solution of formaldehyde in water with 10-15% methanol added as a stabilizer.
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: Formaldehyde and its vapors are irritants to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes [036],[151],[301],[406]. It is also an irritant to all parts of the respiratory system [036],[301],[406]. It can be absorbed through the skin [169]. It can cause lacrimation [455]. Thermal decomposition products may include carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide [058].
SYMPTOMS: Inhalation of formaldehyde may cause irritation of the eyes, mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract [036],[151],[301],[406]. It may also cause irritation of the nose [151]. Higher concentrations may cause bronchitis, pneumonia or laryngitis [036,151]. Exposure may also cause headache, dizziness, difficult breathing and pulmonary edema [215]. Coughing or dysphagia may also result. Contact with the vapor or solution causes skin to become white, rough, hard and anesthetic due to superficial coagulation necrosis. With long exposure, dermatitis and hypersensitivity frequently result [151]. Prolonged exposure may also cause cracking of skin and ulceration, especially around the fingernails and may also cause conjunctivitis [036]. Ingestion may cause immediate intense pain in the mouth and pharynx [151]. It may also cause abdominal pains with nausea, vomiting and possible loss of consciousness [036],[151],[301]. Other symptoms following ingestion include proteinuria, acidosis, hematemesis, hematuria, anuria, vertigo, coma and even death due to respiratory failure [031]. Occasional diarrhea (possibly bloody), pale, clammy skin and other signs of shock, difficult micturition, convulsions and stupor may also occur. Ingestion also leads to inflammation, ulceration and/or coagulation necrosis of the gastrointestinal mucosa [151]. Corrosive damage in the stomach and esophageal strictures sometimes occur and tissue destruction may extend as far as the jejunum. Circulatory collapse and kidney damage may also occur soon after ingestion. Severe lung changes may result from aspiration of the ingested compound in combination with stomach acid [151]. Degenerative changes may be found in the liver, kidneys, heart and brain. Primary points of attack for this compound include the respiratory system, lungs, eyes and skin [301]. Lacrimation may occur [455].
Numbers in brackets [ ] are reference numbers in the source of this information.
Source: Instant EPA's Air Toxics, Copyright 1994 by Instant Reference Sources, Inc. and Digital Liaisons, Austin, Texas
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The data below is from Instant Tox-Base. This database contains data on over 1800 chemicals in a highly condensed tabular format. Abbreviations and Definitions used throughout can be viewed here but they are all hyperlinked to the text within Instant Tox-Base for convenience.
CARCINOGENICITY:
Tumorigenic Data:
TDLo: scu-rat 1170 mg/kg/65W-I
TD : scu-rat 350 mg/kg/78W-I
TC : ihl-rat 15 ppm/6H/78W-I
TCLo: ihl-mus 14300 ppb/6H/2Y-I
TC : ihl-rat 6 ppm/6H/2Y-I
TCLo: ihl-rat 14300 ppb/6H/2Y-I
TC : ihl-rat 15 ppm/6H/86W-I
TC : ihl-rat 14 ppm/6H/84W-I
TC : ihl-rat 18750 ug/m3/2Y-I
TC : ihl-mus 15 ppm/6H/104W-I
TC : ihl-rat 15 ppm/6H/2Y-I
TC : ihl-rat 5600 ppb/6H/2Y-I
TC : ihl-rat 14300 ppb/6H/2Y-I
Review: IARC Cancer Review: Animal Sufficient Evidence
IARC Cancer Review: Human Limited Evidence
IARC probable human carcinogen (Group 2A) [015,610]
EPA Carcinogen Assessment Group [610]
ACGIH suspected human carcinogen [015,415,421]
OSHA cancer suspect agent [610]
Status: NTP Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens, 1984
TERATOGENICITY:
Reproductive Effects Data:
TCLo: ihl-rat 12 ug/m3/24H (15D pre/1-22D preg)
TCLo: ihl-rat 12 ug/m3/24H (1-22D preg)
TCLo: ihl-rat 35 ug/m3/8H (60D male)
TCLo: ihl-rat 1 mg/m3/24H (1-22D preg)
TDLo: ims-mus 259 mg/kg (11D preg)
TDLo: orl-rat 200 mg/kg (1D male)
TCLo: ihl-rat 12 ug/m3/24H (20D pre/1-22D preg)
TCLo: ihl-rat 50 ug/m3/4H (1-19D preg)
TDLo: scu-rat 46243 mg/kg (20D male)
TDLo: itt-rat 400 mg/kg (1D male)
TDLo: ipr-mus 240 mg/kg (7-14D preg)
TDLo: ipr-mus 160 mg/kg (7-14D preg)
TDLo: itt-dog 7 mg/kg (1D male)
TDLo: itt-mky 4 mg/kg (1D male)
TDLo: itt-dom 6667 ug/kg (1D male)
TDLo: ipr-mus 500 mg/kg (5D male)
MUTATION DATA:
test lowest dose | test lowest dose
----------- ----------------- | ----------- -----------------
mmo-sat 100 umol/L | mmo-omi 250 ppm
mmo-esc 100 ppm/3H | mmo-omi 1 pph/15M
mmo-srm 5 gm/L | sln-dmg-unr 10 pph/3H-C
dnr-esc 1950 ug/L | oms-rat:oth 100 umol/L
dnd-esc 5 ppm | sln-dmg-orl 250 ppm
mmo-omi 1 pph/5M-C | sln-dmg-par 2000 ppm
mmo-omi 10 ppm | dlt-dmg-orl 1300 ppm
mmo-omi 200 ppm | mmo-nsc 10 mmol/plate
mmo-omi 1000 ppm | mrc-smc 24 mmol/L
sln-asn 20 mg/L | slt-nml-unr 700 ppm
oms-nml:oth 40 mmol/L | oms-nml:oth 25 mmol/L
cyt-nml:oth 40 mmol/L | cyt-grh:oth 750 umol/L
dnd-hmn:fbr 100 umol/L | dnd-hmn:lng 100 umol/L
dnd-hmn:oth 100 umol/L | dns-hmn:hla 10 nmol/L
oms-hmn:lym 10 mg/L | dnd-rat-ihl 35 ug/m3/8W-I
cyt-hmn:lym 10 mg/L | cyt-hmn:fbr 2 mmol/L
sce-hmn:lym 125 umol/L | msc-hmn:lym 130 umol/L
dnd-rat-orl 10 umol/kg | mmo-omi 200 umol/L
cyt-rat-ihl 15 ppm/5D-I | otr-mus:emb 1 mg/L
dnd-mus:leu 125 umol/L | cyt-mus-orl 100 mg/kg
cyt-mus-ipr 15 mg/kg | otr-ham:kdy 4 mg/L
pic-ham:emb 3 uL/L | cyt-ham:lng 18 mg/L
cyt-ham:ovr 200 ug/L | sce-ham:ovr 110 ug/L
dnd-ckn:leu 500 ppm | dnd-mam:lym 500 ppm
dnd-mam:lym 660 mmol/L | mma-sat 100 umol/L
dnd-rat:oth 500 umol/L | dni-esc 5 mmol/L
dni-hmn:oth 210 umol/L | dni-rat:oth 100 umol/L
oms-hmn:oth 210 umol/L | dns-rat:oth 50 umol/L
msc-mus:lym 74 mg/L | mma-mus:lym 25 mg/L
sln-dmg:ihl 7 pph/24H | sce-ham:lng 67 umol/L
spm-rat-orl 200 mg/kg | otr-nml:oth 25 mmol/L
otr-nml:oth 25 mmol/L | spm-dom-itt 23 mg/kg
TOXICITY:
typ. dose mode specie amount units other
LDLo orl wmn 108 mg/kg
TCLo ihl hmn 17 mg/m3/30M
TCLo ihl man 300 ug/m3
LDLo unr man 477 mg/kg
LD50 orl rat 800 mg/kg
LC50 ihl rat 590 mg/m3
LC50 ihl mam 92 mg/m3
LD50 scu rat 420 mg/kg
LD50 ivn rat 87 mg/kg
LDLo ipr mus 16 mg/kg
LD50 scu mus 300 mg/kg
LD50 orl mus 42 mg/kg
LDLo scu dog 595 mg/kg
LCLo ihl cat 400 mg/m3/2H
LD50 skn rbt 270 mg/kg
LDLo scu rbt 240 mg/kg
LD50 orl gpg 260 mg/kg
LC50 ihl mus 400 mg/m3/2H
LDLo ivn cat 30 mg/kg
LDLo ivn rbt 48 mg/kg
OTHER TOXICITY DATA:
Skin and Eye Irritation Data:
skn-hmn 150 ug/3D-I MLD
eye-hmn 4 ppm/5M
eye-hmn 1 ppm/6M nse MLD
skn-rbt 540 mg open MLD
skn-rbt 50 mg/24H MOD
eye-rbt 750 ug SEV
skn-rbt 2 mg/24H SEV
eye-rbt 750 ug/24H SEV
eye-rbt 10 mg SEV
Review: Toxicology Review-3
Standards and Regulations: DOT-Hazard: ORM-A; Label: None
DOT-Hazard: Combustible liquid; Label: None
DOT-IMO: Flammable or Combustible liquid;
Label: Flammable liquid
Status: NIOSH Analytical Methods: see Formaldehyde (oxazolidine), 2502;
(chromotropic acid), 3500
NIOSH Analytical Methods: see Formaldehyde (Girard T), 3501
NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin 34, April 1981
EPA TSCA Test Submission (TSCATS) Data Base, June 1988
EPA TSCA Chemical Inventory, 1986
EPA Genetox Program 1988, Positive: D melanogaster-reciprocal
translocation
EPA Genetox Program 1988, Positive: N crassa-reversion; E coli polA
without S9
EPA Genetox Program 1988, Positive: D melanogaster Sex-linked lethal
EPA Genetox Program 1988, Positive: S cerevisiae gene conversion;
S cerevisiae-reversion
EPA Genetox Program 1988, Inconclusive: In vitro UDS-human fibroblast
EPA TSCA Section 8(e) Status Report 8EHQ-1079-0314
Meets criteria for proposed OSHA Medical Records Rule
EPA Genetox Program 1988, Positive: Carcinogenicity-mouse/rat
EPA Genetox Program 1988, Inconclusive: CHO gene mutation
Fatal dose is 60-90 mL [301]
SAX TOXICITY EVALUATION:
THR: Human poison by ingestion. Experimental poison by ingestion, skin
contact, inhalation, intravenous, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous
routes. A suspected human carcinogen. An experimental carcinogen,
tumorigen and teratogen. Human systemic effects by inhalation.
Experimental reproductive effects. Human mutagenic data. A human skin
and eye irritant. A severe experimental eye and skin irritant. An air
concentration of 20 ppm is quickly irritating to eyes. A common air
contaminant. The gas is a more dangerous fire hazard than the vapor.
Numbers in brackets [ ] are reference numbers in the source of this information.
Source: Instant Tox-Base, Copyright 1994 by Instant Reference Sources, Inc. and Digital Liaisons, Austin, Texas
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EPA's IRIS is the world's most comprehensive toxicology database. Chemical entries often range from 20 to 50 pages of information. The information below represents a small selection of the data involving carcinogenicity in Section II of IRIS. Many of the technical terms are hyperlinked with explanations in Instant EPA's IRIS from which the following exerpts were taken but space limitations preclude that convenience here.
II.A. EVIDENCE FOR CLASSIFICATION AS TO HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY
II.A.1. WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE CLASSIFICATION
Classification -- B1; probable human carcinogen, based on limited evidence in humans, and sufficient evidence in animals. Human data include nine studies that show statistically significant associations between site-specific respiratory neoplasms and exposure to formaldehyde or formaldehyde-containing products. An increased incidence of nasal squamous cell carcinomas was observed in long-term inhalation studies in rats and in mice. The classification is supported by in vitro genotoxicity data and formaldehyde's structural relationships to other carcinogenic aldehydes such as acetaldehyde.
II.A.2. HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY DATA
Limited. At least 28 relevant epidemiologic studies have been conducted. Among these, two cohort studies (Blair et al., 1986, 1987; Stayner et al., 1988) and one case-control study (Vaughan et al., 1986a,b) were well-conducted and specifically designed to detect small to moderate increases in formaldehyde-associated human risks. Blair et al. studied workers at 10 plants who were in some way exposed to formaldehyde (largely through resin formation) and observed significant excesses in lung and nasopharyngeal cancer deaths. Despite a lack of significant trends with increasing concentration or cumulative formaldehyde exposure, lung cancer mortality was significantly elevated in analyses with or without a 20-year latency allowance. No explicit control was made for smoking status. Stayner et al. reported statistically significant excesses in mortality from buccal cavity tumors among formaldehyde-exposed garment workers. The highest SMR was for workers with long employment duration (exposure) and follow-up period (latency). The Vaughan et al. nasal and pharyngeal cancer case-control study examined occupational and residential exposures, controlling for smoking and alcohol consumption. It showed a significant association between nasopharyngeal cancer and having lived 10 or more years in a mobile home, especially for mobile homes built in the 1950s to 1970s, a period of increasing formaldehyderesin usage. No exposure measurements were available.
The 25 other reviewed studies had limited ability to detect small to moderate increases in formaldehyde risks owing to small sample sizes, small numbers of observed site-specific deaths, and insufficient follow-up. Even with these potential limitations, 6 of the 25 studies (Acheson et al., 1984; Hardell et al., 1982; Hayes et al., 1986; Liebling et al., 1984; Olsen et al., 1984; Stayner et al., 1985) reported significant associations between excess site-specific respiratory (lung, buccal cavity, and pharyngeal) cancers and exposure to formaldehyde. Some of these studies looked at potential confounders (such as wood-dust exposure) in greater detail; they did not discern sinonasal cancer incidence excesses of the size predicted. Others (Liebling et al., 1984; Stayner et al., 1985) overlapped the Acheson et al. (1984), Hardell et al. (1982) and Hayes et al. (1986) studies; the improved design and nonoverlapping portions of the later studies (Blair et al., 1986; Stayner et al., 1988) reinforce the conclusions of the earlier studies. Analysis of the remaining 19 studies indicate that leukemia and neoplasms of the brain and colon may be associated with formaldehyde exposure. The biological support for such postulates, however, has not yet been demonstrated. Although the common exposure in all of these studies was formaldehyde, the epidemiologic evidence is categorized as "limited" primarily because of the possible exposures to other agents. Such exposures could have contributed to the findings of excess cancers.
II.A.3. ANIMAL CARCINOGENICITY DATA
Sufficient. Consequences of inhalation exposure to formaldehyde have been studied in rats, mice, hamsters and monkeys. The principal evidence comes from positive studies in both sexes of two strains of rats (Kerns et al., 1983; Albert et al., 1982; Tobe et al., 1985) and males of one strain of mice (Kerns et al., 1983), all showing squamous cell carcinomas.
For the CIIT, Kerns et al. (1983) exposed about 120 animals/sex/species (Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice) to 0, 2, 5.6 or 14.3 ppm, 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for 24 months. Five animals per group were sacrificed at 6 and 12 months and 20 per group were killed at 18 months. At 24 and 27 months the number sacrificed is unclear. The studies were terminated at 30 months. From the 12th month on, male and female rats in the highest dose group (14.3 ppm) showed significantly increased mortality compared with controls. In the 5.6- ppm group, male rats showed a significant increase in mortality from 17 months on. Female mice showed generally comparable survival across dose groups, as did male mice, but the male mice as a whole showed increased mortality because of housing problems. Squamous cell carcinomas were seen in the nasal cavities of 51/117 male rats and 52/115 female rats at 14.3 ppm (HDT) by experiment's end (as many as 35 carcinomas had been identified in males by month 18 based on EPA analysis notes and Kerns (Chart 8). At 5.6 ppm, 1/119 male rats and 1/116 female rats showed squamous cell carcinomas of the nasal cavity. No such tumors were seen at 0 or 2 ppm. Polypoid adenomas of the nasal mucosa were seen in rats at all doses (0 ppm: 1/118 M, 0/114 F; 2 ppm: 4/118 M, 4/118 F; 5.6 ppm: 6/119 M, 0/116 F; 14.3 ppm: 4/117 M, 1/115 F) in a significant dose-related trend, albeit one that falls off after a peak. Among the mice, squamous cell carcinomas were seen in two males at 14.3 ppm. No other lesions were noteworthy.
Sellakumar et al. (1985) exposed male Sprague-Dawley rats, 100/group, 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for lifetime to 10 ppm HCl and to 14 ppm formaldehyde. This was a combined exposure HCl and formaldehyde were administered simultaneously, and each was administered separately. An equal number of rats received an air control. HCl was administered to determine if tumor response was enhanced by an additional irritant effect or by the combining of formaldehyde and HCl to form bis-(chloromethyl)ether (BCME). Groups receiving formaldehyde alone or with HCl showed an increase in nasal squamous cell carcinomas; those without formaldehyde were free of carcinomas and other tumors (0/99 in each group), although rhinitis and hyperplasia were of comparable incidence.
Tobe et al. (1985) conducted a 28-month study of male Fischer 344 rats (about 2 weeks younger than those in Kerns et al., 1983). Groups of 32 rats were exposed 6 hours/day, 5 days/week to 0, 0.3, 2.0, 3,3, or 15 ppm formaldehyde in aqueous solution methanol; another group of 32 was exposed to methanol only (vehicle control). Animals were sacrificed at 12, 18, and 24 months. Exposure to 15 ppm ended at 24 months; at that point, mortality was 88%. At 28 months mortality was 60% in the control group and 32% in the 0.3 dose group. Squamous cell carcinomas were seen at 15 ppm in 14/27 rats surviving past 12 months, compared with 0/27 in the controls. No polypoid adenomas were observed; the increased incidences of rhinitis and hyperplasia were dose-related.
While these three rodent studies are principal in the weight of evidence, inhalation studies have been carried out in other strains and species. Dalbey (1982), as part of a promotion experiment, exposed male Syrian golden hamsters to 10 ppm formaldehyde 5 times/week, 5 hours/day throughout their lifetimes, 132 animals were untreated controls. Although survival time was significantly reduced in the treated group, no tumors were observed in either treated or control groups. Rusch et al. (1983) carried out a 6-month toxicity study in 6 male cynomolgus monkeys, 40 F344 rats (20M, 20F), and 20 Syrian golden hamsters (10M, 10F) with 22 hours/day, 7 days/week exposure to three levels of formaldehyde with corresponding controls. The highest dose tested was 2.95 ppm. The short duration of the assay, the small sample sizes, and, possibly, the low concentrations tested, limited the sensitivity of the assay to detect tumors. In the highest dose group in both rats and monkeys, incidences of squamous metaplasia/hyperplasia of the nasal turbinates were significantly elevated.
II.A.4. SUPPORTING DATA FOR CARCINOGENICITY
Mutagenic activity of formaldehyde has been demonstrated in viruses, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Salmonella typhimurium and certain strains of yeast, fungi, Drosophila, grasshopper and mammalian cells (Ulsamer et al., 1984). Formaldehyde has been shown to cause gene mutations, single strand breaks in DNA, DNA-protein crosslinks, sister chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations. Formaldehyde produces in vitro transformation in BALB/c 3T3 mouse cells, BHK21 hamster cells and C3H-10Tl/2 mouse cells, enhances the transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells by SA7 adenovirus, and inhibits DNA repair (Consensus Workshop on Formaldehyde, 1984).
When inhaled, acetaldehyde, the closest aldehyde to formaldehyde in structure, causes cancers in the nose and trachea of hamsters, and nasal cancers in rats.
Source: Instant EPA's IRIS, Copyright 1996 by Instant Reference Sources, Inc. and Digital Liaisons, Austin, Texas
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The table below was scanned from Instant Gloves + CPC Database. It contains information on the breakthrough times and permeation rates for formaldehyde tested against many manufacturer's models of CPC. If you are not familiar with the chemical permeation test procedures and the interpretation of breakthrough time and permeation rate data then you will find the Permeation Index Number to be useful in helping you make selections.
The Permeation Index Number Appears in the fourth column from the left in the table of data below. It's interpretation with the data in the table is:
Index Number .... Level of Permeation Rate
0 .... None or Very Low - - this is the Best Selection.
1 .... Very Low - - this is the Next Best Selection.
2 .... Low - - Sometimes Satisfactory but change garment when exposed.
3 .... Moderate Poor Choice - - Change the garment quickly when exposed.
4 .... High - - Very Poor Choice; Splashes Only, Change Quickly When Exposed.
5 .... Very High - - Dangerous Choice
Additional Information on Permeation Index Numbers
Numbers in the last column are reference numbers in the source of this information.
Source: Instant Gloves + CPC Database, Copyright 1996 by Instant Reference Sources, Inc. and Digital Liaisons, Austin, Texas
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REFERENCE:
Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA-600/4-89-017 (Supplements: 600/4-87-006, 600/4-87-013).
1.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION
Method TO-11 is used to determine formaldehyde in ambient air. Other aldehydes and ketones can be detected with a modification of the basic procedure.
2.0 SUMMARY OF METHOD
Air is drawn through a midget impinger sampling train (without impinger) containing a silica gel cartridge coated with acidified dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). The cartridge is eluted with acetonitrile in the laboratory to form a formaldehyde-DPNH derivative. The concentration of formaldehyde is determined with isocratic reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet absorption detection.
3.0 INTERFERENCES
Isomeric aldehydes and ketones, and other compounds with the same HPLC retention times as formaldehyde may interfere with this method.
REFERENCE:
Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA-600/4-89-017 (Supplements: 600/4-87-006, 600/4-87-013).
1.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION
Method TO-5 is used to analyze individual aldehydes and ketones in ambient air.
2.0 SUMMARY OF METHOD
Air is drawn through a midget impinger containing dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) reagent and isooctane where the target compounds are derivatized. The organic fraction is evaporated to dryness and dissolved in methanol. The derivatives are determined using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography HPLC with an ultra-violet detector.
3.0 INTERFERENCES
Isomeric aldehydes or ketones may be unresolved by the HPLC system.
REFERENCE:
Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Third Edition. Report No. SW-846. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. Washington, DC: 1986.
1.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION
EPA Draft Method 8315 uses high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determinate formaldehyde in liquid environmental matrices and leachates of solid samples applicable to the determination of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Extension of the methodology to HPLC determination of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in gaseous emission samples is feasible, and the methodology can also be applied to other aldehydes and ketones. When this method is used to analyze unfamiliar sample matrices, compound identification should be supported by at least one additional qualitative technique such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
Actual detection limits are compound- and matrix-dependent. However, for a list of aldehydes and ketones tested, detection limits were approximately 2 ppbv when reagent capacity (for sampling by EPA Draft Method 0011) was 60-100 ppm.
2.0 SUMMARY OF METHOD
In Draft Method 0011, the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) derivative of aldehydes in the emission stream is formed during sampling, since the emissions are bubbled through impingers containing an aqueous acidic solution of DNPH. This solution is returned to the laboratory and extracted with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride extract is concentrated to less than 10 mL using the Kuderna-Danish procedure. Liquid chromatographic conditions described in Draft Method 8315 which permit the separation and measurement of formaldehyde (and other aldehydes and ketones) in the extract by absorbance detection at 360 nm.
3.0 INTERFERENCES
Analysis for formaldehyde is especially complicated by its ubiquitous occurrence in the environment. The volatile aldehydes, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, may be contaminants in volatile organic solvents. Since formaldehyde is widely used in building insulation, great care is required to determine whether the laboratory atmosphere is contaminated with formaldehyde. Blanks and controls that are treated under the same laboratory conditions as samples are of crucial importance in assessing background levels of aldehydes. Solvent blanks for each lot of solvents used in sample preparation are important. Glassware must not be rinsed with acetone in the cleaning process.
Matrix interferences will result from contaminants that are coextracted from the sample, and will vary from source to source. Since the analytical methodology is HPLC, quantitative analysis of compounds of interest depends on the absence of coeluting interferences.
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