SDS Information

1. Identification of the substance/preparation and the company/undertaking

GHS product identifier
Product name: Formalin, 10% Neutral Buffered

Other mean of identification:
Product code(s): CL20, CL40, CL60
UN-Number: UN3334
Synonyms: Formalin, Buffered Formaldehyde

Recommended use of the chemical and restrictions on use
Recommended use: Tissue fixation
Uses advised against: All other uses.

Supplier address/information
Cardinal Health
7000 Cardinal Place
Dublin, Ohio 43017
877.CARDINAL (877.227.3462)

Emergency telephone number: CHEMTREC 800.424.9300


2. Hazards Identification

Classification
This chemical is considered hazardous according to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 2012 (29 CFR 1910.1200)

Hazard identifier Category
Eye Damage Category 1
Skin Irritation Category 2
Skin Sensitization Category 1
Carcinogenicity Category 1A
Specific Target Organ Toxicity Single
Exposure Category 1

 

GHS label elements, including precautionary statements

Hazard Phrases  
H315 Causes skin irritation.
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
H318 Causes serious eye damage.
H350 May cause cancer.
H370 Causes damage to nervous system and eyes

 

Precautionary Phrases  
P201 Obtain special instructions before use.
P202 Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.
P260 Do not breath fumes/mist/vapors/spray.
P264 Wash thoroughly after handling.
P270 Do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this product.
P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P305 + P351 + P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P310 Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P302 + P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P333 + P313 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/attention.
P362 Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
P308 + P313 IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention.
P405 Store locked up.
P501 Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local and national regulations.

 

Emergency overview:
DANGER! CONTAINS FORMALDEHYDE – POTENTIAL CANCER HAZARD. REPEATED OR PROLONGED EXPOSURE INCREASES RISK. HIGHLY TOXIC BY INHALATION AND IF SWALLOWED. IRRITATING TO EYES, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND SKIN. MAY CAUSE SENSITIZATION BY INHALATION OR SKIN CONTACT. RISK OF SERIOUS DAMAGE TO EYES. CORROSIVE; MAY CAUSE BURNS. KEEP CONTAINER CLOSED, USE WITH ADEQUATE VENTILATION. TARGET ORGANS: SKIN, EYES, RESPIRATORY TRACT. FOR LABORATORY USE ONLY.


3. Composition/Information on ingredients

Chemical name CAS-No Weight %
Formaldehyde 50-00-0 <4%
Methanol 67-56-1 <1%
Monosodium Phosphate 7558-80-7 <1%
Disodium Phosphate 7558-79-4 <1%

4. First aid measures

Description of necessary first-aid measures

Eye contact: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists.

Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing immediately. Wash the affected areas with soap or mild detergent and large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes.

Inhalation: Move individual to fresh air immediately. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. If breathing has stopped, administer artificial respiration. Get medical attention.

Ingestion: Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention immediately.

Most important symptoms/effects, acute and delayed
Most important symptoms/effects: See section 11 for specific acute and chronic health hazards

Indication of immediate medical attention and special treatment needed, if necessary
Immediate medical treatment is required for eye contact and ingestion.


5. Fire-fighting measures

Suitable extinguishing media:
Small fire – use DRY chemical powder. Large fire – use alcohol foam, water spray or fog

Unsuitable extinguishing media: Do not use water jet.

Specific hazards arising from the chemical
Decomposition products include strong vapors and irritants, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide

Explosion data:
• No known unusual fire and explosion hazards

Protective equipment and precautions for firefighters
Fire-fighters should wear appropriate protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a full face-piece operated in positive pressure mode.


6. Accidental release measures

Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Ensure airborne concentrations of formaldehyde do not exceed published exposure limits. Additional protective equipment such as full-face respirator, full body suit and boots may be required. If airborne concentrations of formaldehyde exceed 7.5 ppm, only use SCBA or supplied air respirators.

Environmental precautions
Prevent entry into sewers, basements or confined areas; dike if needed.

Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
• Methods for containment: Keep away from heat and ignition sources. Stop leak if without risk. Absorb with DRY earth, sand or other non-combustible material. Avoid skin and eye contact.
• Methods for cleaning up: Dilute with water and mop, or absorb with an inert dry material and place in an appropriate waste disposal container.


7. Handling and storage

Precautions for safe handling
Avoid contact with eyes and skin. Do not breathe vapor or mist. Avoid prolonged or repeated contact with skin. If potential for splashing exists, protect skin by using sleeve protectors, aprons and face-shield. Immediately remove contaminated clothing. Wash thoroughly after handling.

Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Keep containers closed and out of reach of children. Ground all equipment containing material. Store at room temperature.
Incompatible products: Reactive with oxidizing materials, acids and alkalis


8. Exposure controls/personal protection

Control parameters
Exposure guidelines

Chemical name ACGIH TLV OSHA PEL TWA
Formaldehyde 0.3 ppm Ceiling 2 ppm STEL 0.75 ppm
Methanol 250 ppm STEL skin 200 ppm TWA 200 ppm

Appropriate engineering controls

Engineering measures: Use exhaust ventilation or laboratory hood. Ensure that eyewash stations and quick drench showers are proximal to the workstation or tissue processor.

Individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment
Eye/face protection: Recommended: Splash goggles
Skin and body protection: Latex or nitrile gloves, lab coat or apron
Respiratory protection: Approved/certified respirator if airborne concentrations exceed exposure limits.
Hygiene measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling.


9. Physical and chemical properties

Information on basic physical and chemical properties
Physical state: Liquid
Odor: Pungent
Appearance: Clear, colorless
Odor threshold: TEXT

Property Values Remarks/Method
pH 7.0  
Melting point/range Not established  
Boling point/boiling range 100°C  
Flash point 93.3°C  
Evaporation rate >1  
Flammability (solid, gas) Not flammable  
Flammability limits in air    
 -upper flammability limit 6.0% (methanol)  
 -lower flammability limit 73% (formaldehyde)  
Vapor pressure 2.7 mm Hg @20°C  
Vapor density (Air=1) 1.04  
Specific gravity (Water=1) 1.022  
Water solubility Soluble  
Solubility in other solvents Soluble  
Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water Not Available  
Autoignition temperature 423°C  
Decomposition temperature Not established  
Viscosity Not established  

Other information


10. Stability and reactivity

Reactivity
Product is stable under normal conditions of use.

Chemical stability
Product is stable under normal conditions of use.

Possibility of hazardous reactions
N.A.

Conditions to avoid:
Oxidizing materials, acids and alkalis.

Incompatible materials:
Oxidizing materials, acids and alkalis.

Hazardous decomposition products
Strong vapors and irritants, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide


11. Toxicological information

Information on likely routes of exposure: Skin/eye contact, inhalation, and ingestion

Potential health effects:

  • Inhalation: Hazardous in case of inhalation (lung irritant and sensitizer). Inhalation of spray mist may produce severe irritation of respiratory tract characterized by coughing, choking or shortness of breath. May causeasthmatic attacks due to allergic sensitization.
  • Eye contact: Hazardous in case of eye contact (irritant). May cause burns. May cause chemical conjunctivitis or corneal damage.
  • Skin contact: Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant, corrosive, sensitizer). Skin contact may produce burns. May cause skin sensitization which becomes evident upon re-exposure. Skin inflammation is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening or occasional blistering.
  • Ingestion: May be fatal if swallowed. May cause burns to mouth, throat and stomach.

Symptoms related to the physical, chemical and toxicological characteristics
See Potential Health Effects above

Delayed and immediate effects and also chronic effects from short and long term exposure

  • Sensitization: See potential health effects above.
  • Mutagenic effects: N.A.
  • Carcinogenicity:
    Formaldehyde: NIOSH: Classified proven ACGIH: Classified A2 (suspected for humans)
    NTP: Classified 2(Reasonably anticipated) IARC: Classified A2(Probable for human)
    Methanol: Not classified as a human carcinogen
  • Reproductive toxicity: Animal embryotoxin

12. Ecological information

Ecotoxicity

Chemical name Toxicity to algae Toxicity to fish Toxicity to micro-organisms Daphnia Magna (water flea)
Formaldehyde Not established LC50
24.1 mg/L/96hr.
Not established Not established
Methanol Not established LC50
29,400 mg/L/96hr.
Not established EC50
>10,000 mg/L/24hr

Persistence and Degradability
Not Available

Bioaccumulation
Not Available

Other adverse effects: None known.


13. Disposal considerations

Waste disposal methods
Unused product: dispose as a regulated hazardous waste. Spent product or spill clean up – follow all provincial, local, state, and federal regulations.

RCRA Hazard class: U122


14. Transport information

Notes: Formaldehyde solutions from 10% to 24.9% are regulated by IATA as Aviation regulated, N.O.S. (10%-24.9% Formaldehyde solution). Office of Hazardous Materials Safety Regulations and Interpretations; Refer# 01-0271. Refer to IATA for specific operator regulations.

DOT NOT REGULATED FOR GROUND TRANSPORTATION

  • UN-Number
  • Proper shipping name
  • Hazard class

IATA Aviation Regulated Liquid, n.o.s. (<4% Formaldehyde)

  • UN-Number: UN3334
  • Proper shipping name: Formaldehyde solutions
  • Hazard class 9
  • ERG code

15. Regulatory information

U.S. Federal regulations
TSCA: United States Toxic Substances Control Act 8(b) inventory: All of the components are listed on the TSCA inventory.

SARA Title III (superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act)

311/312 Hazard categories

  • Acute health hazard
  • Chronic health hazard

313 Reportable Ingredients: Listed (Methanol, Formaldehyde)

Clean Water Act
This product does not contain any substances regulated as pollutants pursuant to the Clean Water Act (40 CFR 122.21 and 40 CFR 122.42)

CERCLA
The RQ for the product (based on the RQ for Formaldehyde (6% maximum)) of 100 lbs, is 1,666 lbs. Report spills required under federal, state and local regulations.

U.S. state regulations

California Proposition 65: This product contains a Proposition 65 chemical known to cause cancer, reproductive toxicity, or birth defects (developmental toxicity): Formaldehyde <4% (cancer)

U.S. state Right-to-Know regulations

“X” designates that the ingredients are listed on the state Right-to-Know list

Chemical name New Jersey Massachusetts Pennsylvania Illinois Rhode Island
Formaldehyde X X X X X
Methanol X X X X X

16. Other information

  Health hazard Flammability Instability/Physical Hazard Physical/Chemical Hazards/Personal protection
NFPA 2 1 0  
HMIS 2 1 0  

Prepared by: CB
Issuing date: 2/23/2015
Revision date: TEXT
Revision note: TEXT

General Disclaimer
The information provided on this SDS is correct to the best of our knowledge, information and belief at the date of its publication. The information given is designed only as a guide for safe handling, use, processing, storage, transportation, disposal and release and is not to be considered as a warranty or quality specification. The information relates only to the specific material designated and may not be valid for such material used in combination with any other material or in any process, unless specified in the text.

End of Safety Data Sheet