Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS)

Formaldehyde

SUBSTANCE NAME:Formaldehyde

CAS Number: 50-00-0

Exposure Standard:

TWA: 1 ppm 1.2 mg/m3

STEL: 2 ppm 2.5 mg/m3

Review notice: Reason for review - irritant effects.

Carcinogen category notice:

Category 1B: Presumed to have carcinogenic potential for humans; the placing of this substance is largely based on animal evidence. See section 3.6 of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Third revised edition.

Based on strength of evidence together with additional considerations, such evidence may be derived from human studies that establish a causal relationship between human exposure to a substance and the development of cancer (known human carcinogen). Alternatively, evidence may be derived from animal experiments for which there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate animal carcinogenicity (presumed human carcinogen). In addition, on a case by case basis, scientific judgement may warrant a decision of presumed human carcinogenicity derived from studies showing limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans together with limited evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals.

Sensitiser notice: Some substances can cause a specific immune response in some people. Such substances are called sensitisers and the development of a specific immune response is termed `sensitisation'. Exposure to a sensitiser, once sensitisation has occurred, may manifest itself as a skin rash or inflammation or as an asthmatic condition, and in some individuals this reaction can be extremely severe. See Chapter 12: Guidance Note on the Interpretation of Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment, published by Worksafe Australia.

Documentation notice. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Documentation of Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, 5th Edition, ACGIH, Cincinatti, Ohio, 1986

No standard should be applied without reference to Guidance on the interpretation of Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants.

Footnotes:

Review notice:

A review notice indicates that the substance requires further review by the Exposure Standards Expert Working Group. In most cases the ACGIH documentation should be consulted for these substances.

Documentation notice

Documentation for the majority of substances can be found in the American Conference of Governmental Indistrial Hygienists' (ACGIH) documentation of the threshold limit values and biological exposure indices - users should refer to the ACGIH documentation cited.