FORMALDEHYDE
Introduction
Formaldehyde is one of the most common chemicals used today. Formaldehyde is also used in the manufacture of urea, phenol and melamine resins, in addition to a preservative in medical laboratories and an embalming agent. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that there are approximately 2.1 million workers are exposed to formaldehyde.
Studies indicate that formaldehyde is a potential human carcinogen. Long-term respiratory exposure increases the risk of cancer of the nose, accessory sinuses, nasopharyngeal, or oropharyngeal cancer in humans. Short-term (acute) airborne exposures at concentrations from 0.05 to 3.0 parts per million (ppm) may cause redness, itching, pain, blurred vision and mild tearing. Concentrations from 4 to 20 ppm may cause profuse tearing and damage to the eye. Activities where exposure to formaldehyde is possible include preserving specimens, examining specimens and storage of specimens. The activities should be initially and periodically assessed for exposures.
Applicable ASU Policies
- EHS 103 - Hard Communication Program
- EHS 104 - Laboratory Use of Hazardous Chemicals
Applicable Guidelines
- Formaldehyde Exposure Management Plan
- Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Respiratory Protection Plan
- Hazardous Waste Management Guidelines
- Hazardous Communication Plan
Applicable Regulations
- 29 CFR 1910.1048 - Formaldehyde (General Industry)
- 29 CFR 1926.1148 - Formaldehyde (Construction)
Summary of Requirements
Initial Monitoring
EH&S will conduct representative initial monitoring for employees who may be exposed at or above the Action Level of 0.5 parts per million (ppm) in an 8-hour shift Time Weighted Average (TWA) or at or above the Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) of 2.0 ppm averaged over any 15-minute period during the work shift. The initial monitoring process must be repeated each time there is a change in production, equipment, process, employees, or control measures which may result in new or additional exposure to formaldehyde. If the department receives reports of signs or symptoms of respiratory or dermal conditions associated with formaldehyde exposure, the department promptly monitors the affected employee's exposure. If the employee exposure is above the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) as an 8-hour TWA, 0.75 ppm, the department develops and implements a written plan to reduce employee exposure to or below both PELs and give written notice to employees.
Periodic Monitoring
EH&S periodically measures and accurately determines exposure to formaldehyde for employees shown by the initial monitoring to be exposed at or above the Action Level or at or above the STEL. If the last monitoring results reveal employee exposure at or above the Action Level, EH&S will repeat monitoring of the employees at least every 6 months. If the last monitoring results reveal employee exposure at or above the STEL, EH&S will repeat monitoring of the employees at least once a year under worst case conditions.
Termination of Monitoring
If the results from two consecutive sampling periods, taken at least 7 days apart indicate employee exposure below the Action Level and the STEL, monitoring may be discontinued. T he results must be statistically representative and consistent with the employee's knowledge of the job and work operation. However, the monitoring process must be repeated each time there is a change in production, equipment, process, personnel, or control measures which may result in new or additional exposure to formaldehyde.
Employee Notification
EH&S will notify the affected employees within 15 days of receiving the final laboratory results of their exposure monitoring. Notification must be in writing, either by distributing copies of the results to the employees or posting the results. The written notice contains a description of the corrective action to be taken by the employees to decrease exposure.
Regulated Areas
Regulated areas establish where airborne formaldehyde concentrations exceed the PEL and STEL. Danger signs are posted at entrances and access ways. Access is limited to authorized personnel.
Control Methods
Engineering controls and work practices must be instituted to maintain exposures below the PEL and STEL. Whenever EH&S or the department has established that feasible engineering and work practice controls cannot reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL or STEL, the department applies the controls to reduce employee exposures to the extent feasible and supplements them with respiratory protection.
Respiratory Protection
Where respirators are required, they will be provided at no cost to the employee, and will reduce formaldehyde exposures to levels at or below the PEL and STEL. Whenever a respirator is required, the department must implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134. If the airborne concentrations are above the PEL or STEL during installation or implementation of feasible engineering and work-practice controls, respirators must be used by personnel. If air-purifying chemical-cartridge respirators are used, the employee must replace the cartridge after three hours of use or at the end of the work shift, whichever occurs first, unless the cartridge contains a NIOSH-approved end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) to show when breakthrough occurs. The department must provide a powered air-purifying respirator adequate to protect against formaldehyde exposure to any employee who has difficulty using a negative-pressure respirator.
Protective Equipment and Clothing
Departments must comply with the provisions of EH&S 105, 29 CFR 1910.132 and 29 CFR 1910.133. When protective equipment or clothing is provided under these provisions, the department provides these protective devices at no cost to the employee and assures the employee wears the equipment. EH&S or the lab manager selects protective clothing and equipment based upon the form of formaldehyde encountered, the conditions of use, and the hazard prevented. All contact of the eyes and skin with liquids containing 1 percent or more formaldehyde must be prevented by the use of chemical protective clothing made of material impervious to formaldehyde and the use of other personal protective equipment, such as goggles and face shields, as appropriate to the operation. Where a face shield is worn, chemical safety goggles are also required if there is a danger of formaldehyde reaching the area of the eye. Full body protection must be worn for entry into areas where airborne concentrations exceed 100 ppm and during emergency reentry into areas of unknown concentration. The PI or lab manager assures that contaminated protective equipment and clothing is cleaned or laundered before reuse. The PI or lab manager assures that employees understand the hazards of formaldehyde and or inform any person laundering the contaminated clothing or equipment.
Hygienic Practices
Change rooms as described in 29 CFR 1910.141 will be provided for employees required to change from work clothing into protective clothing to prevent skin contact. Emergency showers will be located in areas where employees' skin may be splashed with solutions containing 1% or greater formaldehyde. Emergency eye washes must be located in areas where employees' eyes may be splashed with solutions containing 0.1% or greater formaldehyde.
Housekeeping
Preventative maintenance of equipment, including surveys for leaks, will be performed regularly. In areas where spillage may occur, provisions will be made to contain spills, decontaminate the work area and dispose of the waste. Employees repairing equipment leaks and cleaning up spills will be properly trained and will wear suitable protective equipment. Formaldehyde contaminated waste will be disposed of by following ASU waste disposal guidelines.
Hazard Communications
Hazardous communication programs must be implemented when formaldehyde gas, all mixtures or solutions composed of greater than 0.1% formaldehyde, and materials capable or releasing formaldehyde into the air at concentrations reaching or exceeding 0.1 ppm. The department must use warning labels, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and a written hazard communication program.
Medical Surveillance
Institute medical surveillance programs for all employees exposed to formaldehyde at concentrations at or exceeding the Action Level or exceeding the STEL. All medical procedures, questionnaires and medical examinations will be performed by or directly supervised by a licensed physician.
Training
All employees participate in training programs who are assigned to workplaces where there is a potential exposure to formaldehyde at or above 0.1 ppm must participate in a training program. Training must be provided before the initial assignment and whenever a new exposure to formaldehyde is introduced into the work area. Training must be provided at least annually for employees exposed to formaldehyde concentrations at or above the Action Level or STEL. Affected employees will be informed of the location of written training materials.
Written Programs
A written Formaldehyde Management Plan must be developed, implemented and maintained containing the following components:
- labeling and signage
- material safety data sheets (MSDS)
- medical surveillance
- potential health hazards from exposure
- signs and symptoms of exposure
- adverse effects and reporting requirements
- descriptions of operations where formaldehyde is present
- safe work practices
- personal protective equipment
- spills, emergencies, cleanup procedures
- engineering and work practice controls
- review of emergency procedures and specific duties or assignments
- access to training materials
Recordkeeping
The department of Campus Health Service will retain results of the affected employee's medical examination and tests for the duration of their employment plus thirty years. EH&S will retain records of the affected employee's exposure monitoring results, respiratory fit test results and training records. The exposure monitoring results must be provided to the employee within 15 working days after receipt of the results.
Updated 11/21/06
Mailing Address: PO Box 873804, Tempe, Arizona 85287-3804
Contact Email: EHS@asu.edu
Phone: (480) 965-1823
FAX: (480) 965-0736
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