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