Formaldehyde and Formalin SOP (New)

Formaldehyde and Formalin –
Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.)
EHS Reviewed by: _____________________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________________________
Guidelines for Handling Formaldehyde
What is Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature with a characteristic pungent
odor. It has been used by both clinical diagnostic and research laboratories as a preservative or
tissue fixative for over a century and as a chemical reagent. It is most commonly dissolved in
water or water/methanol at 37-40% solution. Paraformaldehyde, a solid, is a precursor to
formaldehyde. Both are capable of releasing formaldehyde gas. The terms formaldehyde and
formalin are often used interchangeably, but there are important differences in their
concentrations. A fixative labeled 10% buffered formalin is actually a 4% solution of
formaldehyde (i.e., a 10% solution made from a 37-40% solution of formaldehyde).
Symptoms of Exposure
Because formaldehyde is very water soluble it affects the mucous membranes. The effects of
formaldehyde exposure can vary from person to person. Eye irritation, skin irritation and
respiratory irritation are typical acute exposure effects. Long-term, chronic exposure effects may
include cancers of the lung, nasopharyngeal and oropharynx, and nasal passages. Formaldehyde
is listed as a reproductive toxin by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science.
Because of formaldehyde’s hazards, including human carcinogenicity, the following elements

must be included in a formaldehyde safety program:
 A laboratory-specific Standard Operating Procedure for the use of formalin /

formaldehyde must be developed.
 Employees who handle formaldehyde must receive documented training on the hazards
of formaldehyde and what to do in case of an exposure or spill.
 Exposure monitoring may be required to ensure that employees are not over-exposed.
 Formaldehyde should always be used with adequate ventilation, preferably in a fume
hood, to minimize inhalation of formaldehyde vapor.
Minimizing exposure to Formaldehyde for Health Protection
 Read the MSDS/ SDS sheet as it pertains to fire hazard, health hazard, exposure
treatment, and spill control measures.
 All work must be done in a chemical fume hood.
 Wear protective clothing (lab coat, nitrile gloves, safety goggles/face shield)
 Label all secondary containers with contents and hazard warnings “TOXIC” and
“FLAMMABLE”
 Wash thoroughly after handling
 Know the location of emergency shower and eye wash/shower stations and fire
extinguishers.
Environmental Health & Safety Formaldehyde/Formalin S.O.P. May 6, 2020

Special Safety Precautions
 If formalin contacts the body/ eyes, flush the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes
and report the incident to your supervisor immediately, who will arrange for transport to
Howard University Hospital (on campus) when medical treatment is indicated or requested.
EYES SKIN INGESTED INHALED

Flush with water at Flush immediately DO NOT INDUCE Call for medical aid
least 15 minutes, with soap and water. VOMITING. Only immediately.
holding lids open. Remove if victim is Remove to fresh air.
Call for medical contaminated conscious and alert, Give artificial
aid immediately. clothing. Get medical give 2-4 cups of respiration if not
aid if irritation milk or water. Call breathing. Give
develops. Wash for medical aid oxygen if breathing
clothing before reuse, immediately. is difficult.
destroy contaminated
shoes.
 Contact lenses are best worn in areas where formalin ONLY when chemical splash goggles
are used.
 All solutions of formalin and tissues preserved in formalin must be stored in tightly sealed
containers to prevent leaks, spills, and airborne exposure. Keep away from heat, ignition
sources, and strong oxidizers.
 Don’t pour formalin waste into sinks, place in tightly sealed, labeled waste containers.
 Small spills of diluted formalin solutions must be cleaned up immediately. Cover the spill
with paper towels or other absorbent material. Don’t mop a spill. Using a dust pan, scoop
the absorbed formalin into a plastic bag (wear gloves/ eye protection), double bag, seal, and
label the waste. Utilize your department procedures for spill removal and if needed contact
the Department of Public Safety - The Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) for
pickup.
 Caution If the spill is large, evacuate area immediately; close all doors to contain vapors,
and call Campus Police (202) 806-1111 and The Office of Environmental Health & Safety
(EH&S) during normal business hours 443-962-0149 (cell) or (202) 806-1033 (work
landline), or 9-1-1 after hours. Be prepared to give the following information:
- Location of spill ________________________________________________
- Approximate amount of spill ______________________________________
- Name _________________________________________________________
- Telephone Number______________________________________________
 Have someone wait for emergency response personnel outside building and direct them to
the spill area.
 For fires use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or alcohol-resistant foam. Do not
use straight streams of water. Collect contaminated water for proper disposal.

Employee Information and Training
Employees who handle formaldehyde must receive documented training on the hazards of
formaldehyde and what to do in case of an exposure or spill. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for
formaldehyde should be kept in the work area where formaldehyde is being used. SDSs are
available from the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) website.
Exposure Monitoring
Contact the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) for assistance in determining
exposure monitoring needs in your laboratory if you work with formaldehyde.
Ventilation
Formaldehyde should always be used in a chemical fume hood, with spot (snorkel) ventilation or
in an enclosure exhausted to the outside of the building. Re-circulating clean benches or bio-
safety cabinets are not appropriate for the use of formaldehyde.
Eye Protection
Always use chemical splash goggles when handling formaldehyde to minimize the risk of even a
small splash or vapor exposure to the corneas.
Body Protection
Wear a laboratory coat and appropriate footwear that covers the entire foot.
Gloves
Medium or heavyweight nitrile, neoprene, natural rubber, or PVC gloves should be worn when
handling concentrated formaldehyde. Disposable nitrile gloves may be used when handling
dilute concentrations (10% or less). If you have questions about selecting gloves, contact EH&S.
Heavily contaminated gloves must be disposed as chemical hazardous waste.
Respiratory Protection
It may be determined that respiratory protection is required (or even if not required, it may be
desired) to conduct work with formaldehyde. Work with your Supervisor and EH&S Director
443-962-0149 (cell) or 202-806-1033 (work landline) to determine if a respirator is warranted for
this work.
Safe Work Practices

Be sure that formaldehyde solutions are clearly labeled with the chemical name and hazards. As
with any laboratory chemical, do not mouth-pipette formaldehyde solutions. Do not eat, drink, or
apply cosmetics where formaldehyde is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be
ingested or swallowed. Always wash hands thoroughly after using formaldehyde, even if gloves
are worn.

Storage
Store formaldehyde in labeled, chemically compatible containers, away from heat and flame.
Always place large-volume containers on a low, protected shelf or in another location where they
will not be accidentally spilled or knocked over. Containers larger than 4L (1 gallon) should be
stored in secondary containment. Do not store formaldehyde bottles in any area where a leak
would flow to a drain.
*Reference: Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories Volume 1. Published by the American

Chemical Society, Committee on Chemical Safety: 7th Edition, Appendix IV. Reprinted by
permission.

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Formaldehyde and Formalin –

Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.)

EHS Reviewed by: _____________________________________________________________

Because of formaldehyde’s hazards, including human carcinogenicity, the following elements

 A laboratory-specific Standard Operating Procedure for the use of formalin /

Minimizing exposure to Formaldehyde for Health Protection

Environmental Health & Safety Formaldehyde/Formalin S.O.P. May 6, 2020

EYES SKIN INGESTED INHALED

Environmental Health & Safety Formaldehyde/Formalin S.O.P. May 6, 2020

Safe Work Practices

Environmental Health & Safety Formaldehyde/Formalin S.O.P. May 6, 2020

*Reference: Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories Volume 1. Published by the American

Environmental Health & Safety Formaldehyde/Formalin S.O.P. May 6, 2020

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