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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 2. Probable human carcinogen for which there is sufficient evidence to provide a strong presumption that human exposure might result in the development of cancer. This evidence is generally based on appropriate long term animal studies, limited epidemiological evidence or other relevant information. See Chapter 13: Guidance Note on the Interpretation of Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment, published by Worksafe Australia.
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:
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 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.