FORMALDEHYDE:

A CONTAMINANT IN THE OCCUPATIONAL AND HOME

ENVIRONMENT.

By

Robert Leumaga

Dr. Lal S. Mian

HSCI 616: Environmental and Occupational Health

Winter Quarter 2017

 FORMALDEHYDE:

A CONTAMINANT IN THE OCCUPATIONAL AND HOME ENVIRONMENT.

Introduction

Sometimes contaminants come from developments and applications such as

trade-offs, as we utilize different approaches to help improve and prevent significant

factors causing discomfort and impairments in our health. One significant aspect

occurred during the energy crisis decades ago. Before the crisis, the energy cost was

fairly low, and also noted that about 25 percent of total ventilation in buildings and

homes was due to infiltration through doors, windows, and building construction. As a

result, indoor air was relatively fresh due to infiltration. After the energy crisis,

workplaces and home settings pushed to conserve energy and save energy spending,

advocate to reduced infiltration, and so building materials used in construction changed.

Before, natural materials were used but now the public depends more on complex

synthetic materials because they are cheaper, durable, and are produced from unlimited

sources, but are potential contaminants that harm our health, especially in closed doors.

History

The history provided by Formacare (2014) noted that in 1859, Alexander

Mikhailovich Butlerov reported the existing of formaldehyde while synthesizing

methylene glycol. In 1868, Professor August Wilhelm von Hofmann acknowledged the

molecular structure and identity of formaldehyde. Thus, established the industrial

process of manufacturing formaldehyde. During the1880’s, the commercial production

of formaldehyde existed in Germany and in the 1900s, reached the United States. It

was primarily used as an embalming chemical and medical preservative during these

early years. The increase in science and technology developments transformed

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formaldehyde as one of the building ingredients for assortment of applications and

materials. An early plastic known as bakelite existed as a synthetic polymeric material

which was invented by Dr. Leo Baekeland (Belgian) in 1907 and the applications of

formaldehyde ever evolved in billions of tons (Formacare, 2014).

Basic Information

Formaldehyde is a gaseous pollutant produced naturally or a byproduct of

industrial practices, attributed to known aliments of health and well-being conditions. It

is an organic compound that, if naturally occurring, consists of carbon, hydrogen and

oxygen, and a chemical structure of CH2O. It is a colorless, flammable gas at room

temperature, and has a strong pungent, irritating odor (EPA, 2016). It is slightly heavier

than air due to its density of 0.82 g/cm3 whereas air is 0.0012 g/cm3 which contributes to

its immediate characteristic of potent exposure (asphyxiation) in confined, enclosed, or

poorly ventilated areas (Crowl & Louvar, 2002).

Formaldehyde may cause a burning sensation to the eyes, nose, and lungs at

high concentrations. It has been widely used in many manufacturing applications and

general consumer products. The manufacturing industry used formaldehyde to make

resin glues for wood products (plywood, furniture, and particle-board) (ATSDR, 2008).

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) also stated that

consumer products containing formaldehyde include antiseptics, carpets and press

crease-resistant fabrics, cigarettes, cosmetics, preserved foods, latex paints, plastics,

and insulation for electrical wiring and appliances, naming a few (ATSDR, 2015).

According to the California Department of Public Health’s (2011) Hazard

Evaluation System & Information Service (HESIS), some alternative names of

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formaldehyde products are formalin, methanal, methyl aldehyde, methylene glycol,

oxomethane, paraform, formol, and lysoform.

Toxicity

Toxicology explains the toxic effects exerted by substances on living organisms

and other biologic systems (Lu & Kacew, 2009). Despite the adverse effect of any

toxicity a substance holds, the critical part is the route of exposure. The only way to be

exposed to a toxic substance is to come in contact with it. There are critical factors that

determine the seriousness of an exposure. It depends on how much dosage, how long

the duration, and how the contact happens. Occupational exposure to formaldehyde

occurs when contacted through exposure routes of inhalation (lungs), skin contact and

absorption, ingestion (mouth), and eye contact. Toxic chronic health effects on target

organs damages are due to the repeated or prolonged exposure to formaldehyde in the

workplace. Chronic exposure has been associated with respiratory symptoms and eye,

nose, and throat irritation. The dosages accumulated in target organs leading to the

worker’s health can become deteriorated during repeated exposure to solutions of

formaldehyde. The main target organs are the eyes, and the respiratory system. The

cancer site is at the nasal location (NIOSH, 2016).

Formaldehyde has toxicity properties that could cause adverse occupational

health effects when workers (or residents) exceed regulatory exposure limits.

Regulatory and non-regulatory agencies provide occupational exposure and

recommendation standards to protect workers. For an 8-hour time-weighted average

(TWA8) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible

exposure limits (PEL) standard in the workplace is 0.75 parts formaldehyde per million

parts of air (0.75 ppm). And a 2 ppm for a short-term exposure limit (STEL) in a 15-
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minute period. The OSHA action level which involved worker’s monitoring and medical

surveillance is 0.5 ppm (OSHA, 2011). The National Institute for Occupational Safety

and Health (NIOSH) established a 30 ppm (OSHA) and 20 ppm (Ca/OSHA), which is

considered immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), and where immediately

first aid and respiratory support was required (NIOSH, 1994).

Chemical and Physical Properties

Formaldehyde has properties that could be used to differentiate its

characteristics from other substances. Physical properties of formaldehyde are to be

observed, described, and measured without changing its actual content. Chemical

properties are to be observed and measured by a chemical reaction and note the

results (NIOSH, 2016).

Formaldehyde chemical and physical properties results are summarized in Table

1 below.

Table 1. Chemical and Physical Properties of Formaldehyde

Property Information
Formula HCHO
Molecular weight 30.0 g/mol
Physical description Nearly colorless gas
Odor 0.83 ppm threshold, a pungent, suffocating odor
Physical state Flammable gas
Solubility Miscible; readily soluble in water at room temperature
Freezing point -134°F (-92°C)
Boiling point -6°F (- 21°C)
Vapor pressure, VP > 1 atm (10 mm Hg)
Ionization potential, IP 10.88 eV
Density/Specific gravity 1.04 g/cu cm
(CAS No. 50-00-0; NIOSH)
Control

The established measure controls further ensured individual safety and exposure

controls for the workers in the workplace.

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 Engineering Controls

The engineering controls that help control formaldehyde exposures below

recommended exposure limits (RELs) at occupational settings, includes the enclosure

of the source, proper storage area, and negative-pressure ventilation systems. The

other engineering controls includes filtered or sealed equipment, and fume hoods. The

ventilation system ensures proper indoor air quality that contains contaminants below

occupational exposure limits (OELs) (UNC, 2017).

Administrative Controls

Administrative controls wrote biosafety procedures and administrated biosafety

trainings for the employees when handling formaldehyde chemical and scheduled

rotation of employees around the formaldehyde exposures according to OSHA

standards. They also handled medical surveillance which included maintaining

employee’s exposure history, medical screening when exposed, and updating

inoculation and antibiotic post-exposure.

Personal Protective Equipment (Inhalation and Skin Contact)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) provides barriers against skin and eyes

contact, and respiratory exposure from formaldehyde exposure. These PPE includes

goggles and safety glasses, gloves, vapor and dust respirator, and full chemical suits

(UNC, 2017).

The OSHA required respirator for formaldehyde involves full-face piece respirator

with cartridges or canisters specifically approved for protection against formaldehyde at

the concentration of less or equal to 7.5 ppm (10 X PEL). A Type C supplied-air

respirator, demand type or continuous flow type, with full facepiece, hood, or helmet

when less or equal to 75 ppm (100 X PEL). A self-contained breathing apparatus with
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positive-pressure full-facepiece when more than 75 ppm (100 X PEL). Qualitative and

quantitative respirator fitting must be emphasized during annual training programs using

OSHA protocol (NIOSH, 2016).

Summary

Formaldehyde is a potential occupational and home carcinogen. It is primarily

irritant. The safest exposure to formaldehyde is no exposure at all. People can prevent

themselves from being exposed to the contaminants by avoiding areas and sources of

formaldehyde. However, workers at these hazardous occupational workplaces can only

be protected with an implement of an effective exposure control plan (ECP), which

includes proper ventilation, sampling and monitoring, personal protective equipment,

trainings and roles of employer, supervisors, and the assessment of the workplace

hazards. So knowing the amount of exposure (dose), how long was the exposure

(duration) and route of the exposure are critical factors in protecting an individual from

toxic effects of formaldehyde. It is highly recommended for employers also to keep

labels on each of the chemicals used in any facility for safety purposes.

References Cited

Formacare, (2014). The history of formaldehyde. Retrieved from

http://www.formacare.org/history/ February 11, 2017.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (2016). EPA: Facts about

formaldehyde. July 27, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/facts-
about-formaldehyde#whatisformaldehyde February 10, 2017.

Crowl, D. A., & Louvar, J. F. (2002). Chemical process safety. Fundamentals with
applications. 2nd ed. (pp. 85-87). Retrieved from
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https://www/scribd.com/doc/28984451/Chemical-Process-Safety-2nd-Ed-Daniel-a-1-
Crowl-Joseph-F-Louvar February 10, 2017.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2015). ATSDR. Toxic
substances portal – Formaldehyde. Public health statement for formaldehyde.
September 2008. Retrieved from https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs/asp?id=218&tid=39
February 13, 2017.

California Department of Public Health, California Department of Industrial Relations,

Hazard Evaluation System & Information Service. (2011). HESIS: Formaldehyde.
Retrieved from http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/hesis/Documents/formaldehyde.pdf
February 12, 2015.

Lu, F. C., & Kacew, S. (2009). Lu’s basic toxicology: Fundamentals, target organs, and
risk assessment. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare. 5th ed.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2016). NIOSH
pocket guide to chemical hazards. Formaldehyde. April 11, 2016. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0293.html February 13, 2017.

United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

(2011). OSHA fact sheet. Formaldehyde. Retrieved from
https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/formaldehyde-factsheet.html
February 11, 2017.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (1994).
Formaldehyde: Immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations (IDLH).
Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosn/idlh/50000.html February 12, 2017.

The University of North Carolina, (2017). UNC Environmental Health& Safety.

Formaldehyde Exposure Control Policy. Retrieved from
http://ehs.unc.edu/chemical/formaldehyde-policy/ February 12, 2017.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2016). Appendix E
- OSHA respirator requirements for selected chemicals. March 7, 2016. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/nengapdxe.html February 14, 2017.