29 Cfr 1910.1048

§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

Additional data by an independent laboratory following their exact protocol was not
submitted. However, information was submitted on comparisons and precision and accuracy of those monitoring procedures which
indicate far better precision and accuracy of
those monitoring procedures than that obtained by Du Pont (Ex. 4–20, 130, 11–68, 11–133,
130, 135A).
The accuracy of any method depends to a
large degree upon the skills and experience
of those who not only collect the samples
but also those who analyze the samples.
Even for methods that are collaboratively
tested, some laboratories are closer to the
true values than others. Some laboratories
may meet the precision and accuracy requirements of the method; others may consistently far exceed them for the same method.
[49 FR 25796, June 22, 1984, as amended at 50
FR 9801, Mar. 12, 1985; 50 FR 41494, Oct. 11,
1985; 51 FR 25053, July 10, 1986; 53 FR 11436,
11437, Apr. 6, 1988; 53 FR 27960, July 26, 1988;
54 FR 24334, June 7, 1989; 61 FR 5508, Feb. 13,
1996; 63 FR 1292, Jan. 8, 1998; 67 FR 67965, Nov.
7, 2002; 70 FR 1143, Jan. 5, 2005; 71 FR 16672,
16673, Apr. 3, 2006]

§ 1910.1048 Formaldehyde.
(a) Scope and application. This standard applies to all occupational exposures to formaldehyde, i.e. from formaldehyde gas, its solutions, and materials that release formaldehyde.
(b) Definitions. For purposes of this
standard, the following definitions
shall apply:
Action level means a concentration of
0.5 part formaldehyde per million parts
of air (0.5 ppm) calculated as an eight
(8)-hour time-weighted average (TWA)
concentration.
Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, or designee.
Authorized person means any person
required by work duties to be present
in regulated areas, or authorized to do
so by the employer, by this section, or
by the OSH Act of 1970.
Director means the Director of the
National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, or designee.
Emergency is any occurrence, such as
but not limited to equipment failure,
rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment that results in an un-

controlled release of a significant
amount of formaldehyde.
Employee exposure means the exposure to airborne formaldehyde which
would occur without corrections for
protection provided by any respirator
that is in use.
Formaldehyde means the chemical
substance, HCHO, Chemical Abstracts
Service Registry No. 50–00–0.
(c) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)—
(1) TWA: The employer shall assure
that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of formaldehyde
which exceeds 0.75 parts formaldehyde
per million parts of air (0.75 ppm) as an
8-hour TWA.
(2) Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL):
The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of formaldehyde which exceeds two parts formaldehyde per million parts of air (2 ppm) as a 15-minute
STEL.
(d) Exposure monitoring—(1) General.
(i) Each employer who has a workplace
covered by this standard shall monitor
employees to determine their exposure
to formaldehyde.
(ii) Exception. Where the employer
documents, using objective data, that
the presence of formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing products in the
workplace cannot result in airborne
concentrations of formaldehyde that
would cause any employee to be exposed at or above the action level or
the STEL under foreseeable conditions
of use, the employer will not be required to measure employee exposure
to formaldehyde.
(iii) When an employee’s exposure is
determined from representative sampling, the measurements used shall be
representative of the employee’s full
shift or short-term exposure to formaldehyde, as appropriate.
(iv) Representative samples for each
job classification in each work area
shall be taken for each shift unless the
employer can document with objective
data that exposure levels for a given
job classification are equivalent for different work shifts.
(2) Initial monitoring. The employer
shall identify all employees who may
be exposed at or above the action level

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
or at or above the STEL and accurately determine the exposure of each
employee so identified.
(i) Unless the employer chooses to
measure the exposure of each employee
potentially exposed to formaldehyde,
the employer shall develop a representative sampling strategy and measure
sufficient exposures within each job
classification for each workshift to
correctly characterize and not underestimate the exposure of any employee
within each exposure group.
(ii) The initial monitoring process
shall 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.
(iii) If the employer receives reports
of signs or symptoms of respiratory or
dermal conditions associated with
formaldehyde exposure, the employer
shall promptly monitor the affected
employee’s exposure.
(3) Periodic monitoring. (i) The employer shall periodically measure and
accurately determine 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.
(ii) If the last monitoring results reveal employee exposure at or above the
action level, the employer shall repeat
monitoring of the employees at least
every 6 months.
(iii) If the last monitoring results reveal employee exposure at or above the
STEL, the employer shall repeat monitoring of the employees at least once a
year under worst conditions.
(4) Termination of monitoring. The employer may discontinue periodic monitoring for employees if results from
two consecutive sampling periods
taken at least 7 days apart show that
employee exposure is below the action
level and the STEL. The results must
be statistically representative and consistent with the employer’s knowledge
of the job and work operation.
(5) Accuracy of monitoring. Monitoring
shall be accurate, at the 95 percent
confidence level, to within plus or
minus 25 percent for airborne concentrations of formaldehyde at the
TWA and the STEL and to within plus
or minus 35 percent for airborne con-

§ 1910.1048

centrations of formaldehyde at the action level.
(6) Employee notification of monitoring
results. The employer must, within 15
working days after the receipt of the
results of any monitoring performed
under this section, notify each affected
employee of these results either individually in writing or by posting the
results in an appropriate location that
is accessible to employees. If employee
exposure is above the PEL, affected
employees shall be provided with a description of the corrective actions
being taken by the employer to decrease exposure.
(7) Observation of monitoring. (i) The
employer shall provide affected employees or their designated representatives an opportunity to observe any
monitoring of employee exposure to
formaldehyde required by this standard.
(ii) When observation of the monitoring of employee exposure to formaldehyde requires entry into an area
where the use of protective clothing or
equipment is required, the employer
shall provide the clothing and equipment to the observer, require the observer to use such clothing and equipment, and assure that the observer
complies with all other applicable safety and health procedures.
(e) Regulated areas. (1) The employer
shall establish regulated areas where
the concentration of airborne formaldehyde exceeds either the TWA or
the STEL and post all entrances and
accessways with signs bearing the following information:
DANGER
FORMALDEHYDE
IRRITANT AND POTENTIAL CANCER
HAZARD
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

(2) The employer shall limit access to
regulated areas to authorized persons
who have been trained to recognize the
hazards of formaldehyde.
(3) An employer at a multiemployer
worksite who establishes a regulated
area shall communicate the access restrictions and locations of these areas
to other employers with work operations at that worksite.
(f) Methods of compliance—(1) Engineering controls and work practices. The
employer shall institute engineering

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

and work practice controls to reduce
and maintain employee exposures to
formaldehyde at or below the TWA and
the STEL.
(2) Exception. Whenever the employer
has established that feasible engineering and work practice controls cannot
reduce employee exposure to or below
either of the PELs, the employer shall
apply these controls to reduce employee exposures to the extent feasible
and shall supplement them with respirators which satisfy this standard.
(g) Respiratory protection—(1) General.
For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer
must provide respirators that comply
with the requirements of this paragraph. Respirators must be used during:
(i) Periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and workpractice controls.
(ii) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activities or vessel
cleaning, for which the employer establishes that engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible.
(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to re-

duce employee exposure to or below the
PELs.
(iv) Emergencies.
(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a respiratory
protection program in accordance with
29 CFR 1910.134 (b) through (d) (except
(d)(1)(iii), (d)(3)(iii)(B)(1), and (2)), and
(f) through (m).
(ii) If air-purifying chemical-cartridge respirators are used, the employer must:
(A) Replace the cartridge after three
(3) hours of use or at the end of the
workshift, whichever occurs first, unless the cartridge contains a NIOSH-approved
end-of-service-life
indicator
(ESLI) to show when breakthrough occurs.
(B) Unless the canister contains a
NIOSH-approved ESLI to show when
breakthrough occurs, replace canisters
used in atmospheres up to 7.5 ppm
(10×PEL) every four (4) hours and industrial-sized
canisters
used
in
atmospheres up to 75 ppm (100×PEL)
every two (2) hours, or at the end of the
workshift, whichever occurs first.
(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select appropriate respirators from Table 1 in this section.

TABLE 1—MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION AGAINST FORMALDEHYDE
Condition of use or formaldehyde concentration (ppm)

Minimum respirator required 1

Up to 7.5 ppm. (10×PEL) ............................

Full facepiece with cartridges or canisters specifically approved for protection
against formaldehyde.2
Full-face mask with chin style or chest or back mounted type, with industrial size
canister specifically approved for protection against formaldehyde. Type C supplied air respirator, demand type, or continuous flow type, with full facepiece,
hood, or helmet.
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with positive pressure full facepiece.
Combination supplied-air, full facepiece positive pressure respirator with auxiliary
self-contained air supply.
SCBA with positive pressure in full face-piece.
SCBA in demand or pressure demand mode. Full-face mask with chin style or front
or back mounted type industrial size canister specifically approved for protection
against formaldehyde.

Up to 75 ppm. (100×PEL) ...........................

Above 75 ppm or unknown. (emergencies).
(100×PEL).
Firefighting ...................................................
Escape ........................................................

1 Respirators

specified for use at higher concentrations may be used at lower concentrations.
2 A half-mask respirator with cartridges specifically approved for protection against formaldehyde can be substituted for the full
facepiece respirator providing that effective gas-proof goggles are provided and used in combination with the half-mask
respirator.

(ii) The employer must provide a
powered air-purifying respirator adequate to protect against formaldehyde
exposure to any employee who has difficulty using a negative-pressure respirator.
(h) Protective equipment and clothing.
Employers shall comply with the provi-

sions of 29 CFR 1910.132 and 29 CFR
1910.133. When protective equipment or
clothing is provided under these provisions, the employer shall provide these
protective devices at no cost to the employee and assure that the employee
wears them.

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
(1) Selection. The employer shall select protective clothing and equipment
based upon the form of formaldehyde
to be encountered, the conditions of
use, and the hazard to be prevented.
(i) All contact of the eyes and skin
with liquids containing 1 percent or
more formaldehyde shall 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.
(ii) Contact with irritating or sensitizing materials shall be prevented to
the extent necessary to eliminate the
hazard.
(iii) 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.
(iv) Full body protection shall be
worn for entry into areas where concentrations exceed 100 ppm and for
emergency reentry into areas of unknown concentration.
(2) Maintenance of protective equipment
and clothing. (i) The employer shall assure that protective equipment and
clothing that has become contaminated with formaldehyde is cleaned or
laundered before its reuse.
(ii) When ventilating formaldehydecontaminated clothing and equipment,
the employer shall establish a storage
area so that employee exposure is
minimized. Containers for contaminated clothing and equipment and storage areas shall have labels and signs
containing the following information:
DANGER
FORMALDEHYDE-CONTAMINATED
[CLOTHING] EQUIPMENT
AVOID INHALATION AND SKIN CONTACT

(iii) The employer shall assure that
only persons trained to recognize the
hazards of formaldehyde remove the
contaminated material from the storage area for purposes of cleaning, laundering, or disposal.
(iv) The employer shall assure that
no employee takes home equipment or
clothing that is contaminated with
formaldehyde.
(v) The employer shall repair or replace all required protective clothing
and equipment for each affected em-

§ 1910.1048

ployee as necessary to assure its effectiveness.
(vi) The employer shall inform any
person who launders, cleans, or repairs
such
clothing
or
equipment
of
formaldehyde’s potentially harmful effects and of procedures to safely handle
the clothing and equipment.
(i) Hygiene protection. (1) The employer shall provide change rooms, as
described in 29 CFR 1910.141 for employees who are required to change from
work clothing into protective clothing
to prevent skin contact with formaldehyde.
(2) If employees’ skin may become
spashed with solutions containing 1
percent or greater formaldehyde, for
example, because of equipment failure
or improper work practices, the employer shall provide conveniently located quick drench showers and assure
that affected employees use these facilities immediately.
(3) If there is any possibility that an
employee’s eyes may be splashed with
solutions containing 0.1 percent or
greater formaldehyde, the employer
shall provide acceptable eyewash facilities within the immediate work area
for emergency use.
(j) Housekeeping. For operations involving formaldehyde liquids or gas,
the employer shall conduct a program
to detect leaks and spills, including
regular visual inspections.
(1) Preventative maintenance of
equipment, including surveys for leaks,
shall be undertaken at regular intervals.
(2) In work areas where spillage may
occur, the employer shall make provisions to contain the spill, to decontaminate the work area, and to dispose
of the waste.
(3) The employer shall assure that all
leaks are repaired and spills are
cleaned promptly by employees wearing suitable protective equipment and
trained in proper methods for cleanup
and decontamination.
(4)
Formaldehyde-contaminated
waste and debris resulting from leaks
or spills shall be placed for disposal in
sealed containers bearing a label warning of formaldehyde’s presence and of
the hazards associated with formaldehyde.

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

(k) Emergencies. For each workplace
where there is the possibility of an
emergency involving formaldehyde, the
employer shall assure appropriate procedures are adopted to minimize injury
and loss of life. Appropriate procedures
shall be implemented in the event of an
emergency.
(l) Medical surveillance—(1) Employees
covered. (i) The employer shall institute medical surveillance programs for
all employees exposed to formaldehyde
at concentrations at or exceeding the
action level or exceeding the STEL.
(ii) The employer shall make medical
surveillance available for employees
who develop signs and symptoms of
overexposure to formaldehyde and for
all employees exposed to formaldehyde
in emergencies. When determining
whether an employee may be experiencing signs and symptoms of possible
overexposure to formaldehyde, the employer may rely on the evidence that
signs and symptoms associated with
formaldehyde exposure will occur only
in exceptional circumstances when airborne exposure is less than 0.1 ppm and
when formaldehyde is present in material in concentrations less than 0.1 percent.
(2) Examination by a physician. All
medical procedures, including administration of medical disease questionnaires, shall be performed by or under
the supervision of a licensed physician
and shall be provided without cost to
the employee, without loss of pay, and
at a reasonable time and place.
(3) Medical disease questionnaire. The
employer shall make the following
medical surveillance available to employees prior to assignment to a job
where formaldehyde exposure is at or
above the action level or above the
STEL and annually thereafter. The employer shall also make the following
medical surveillance available promptly upon determining that an employee
is experiencing signs and symptoms indicative of possible overexposure to
formaldehyde.
(i) Administration of a medical disease questionnaire, such as in appendix
D, which is designed to elicit information on work history, smoking history,
any evidence of eye, nose, or throat irritation; chronic airway problems or
hyperreactive airway disease: allergic

skin conditions or dermatitis; and
upper or lower respiratory problems.
(ii) A determination by the physician, based on evaluation of the medical disease questionnaire, of whether a
medical examination is necessary for
employees not required to wear respirators to reduce exposure to formaldehyde.
(4) Medical examinations. Medical examinations shall be given to any employee who the physician feels, based
on information in the medical disease
questionnaire, may be at increased risk
from exposure to formaldehyde and at
the time of initial assignment and at
least annually thereafter to all employees required to wear a respirator to
reduce exposure to formaldehyde. The
medical examination shall include:
(i) A physical examination with emphasis on evidence of irritation or sensitization of the skin and respiratory
system, shortness of breath, or irritation of the eyes.
(ii) Laboratory examinations for respirator wearers consisting of baseline
and annual pulmonary function tests.
As a minimum, these tests shall consist of forced vital capacity (FVC),
forced expiratory volume in one second
(FEV1), and forced expiratory flow
(FEF).
(iii) Any other test which the examining physician deems necessary to
complete the written opinion.
(iv) Counseling of employees having
medical conditions that would be directly or indirectly aggravated by exposure to formaldehyde on the increased risk of impairment of their
health.
(5) Examinations for employees exposed
in an emergency. The employer shall
make medical examinations available
as soon as possible to all employees
who have been exposed to formaldehyde in an emergency.
(i) The examination shall include a
medical and work history with emphasis on any evidence of upper or lower
respiratory problems, allergic conditions,
skin
reaction
or
hypersensitivity, and any evidence of eye,
nose, or throat irritation.
(ii) Other examinations shall consist
of those elements considered appropriate by the examining physician.

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
(6) Information provided to the physician. The employer shall provide the
following information to the examining physician:
(i) A copy of this standard and appendix A, C, D, and E;
(ii) A description of the affected employee’s job duties as they relate to the
employee’s exposure to formaldehyde;
(iii) The representative exposure
level for the employee’s job assignment;
(iv) Information concerning any personal protective equipment and respiratory protection used or to be used
by the employee; and
(v) Information from previous medical examinations of the affected employee within the control of the employer.
(vi) In the event of a nonroutine examination because of an emergency,
the employer shall provide to the physician as soon as possible: A description of how the emergency occurred
and the exposure the victim may have
received.
(7) Physician’s written opinion. (i) For
each examination required under this
standard, the employer shall obtain a
written opinion from the examining
physician. This written opinion shall
contain the results of the medical examination except that it shall not reveal specific findings or diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure to
formaldehyde. The written opinion
shall include:
(A) The physician’s opinion as to
whether the employee has any medical
condition that would place the employee at an increased risk of material
impairment of health from exposure to
formaldehyde;
(B) Any recommended limitations on
the employee’s exposure or changes in
the use of personal protective equipment, including respirators;
(C) A statement that the employee
has been informed by the physician of
any medical conditions which would be
aggravated by exposure to formaldehyde, whether these conditions may
have resulted from past formaldehyde
exposure or from exposure in an emergency, and whether there is a need for
further examination or treatment.
(ii) The employer shall provide for retention of the results of the medical

§ 1910.1048

examination and tests conducted by
the physician.
(iii) The employer shall provide a
copy of the physician’s written opinion
to the affected employee within 15 days
of its receipt.
(8) Medical removal. (i) The provisions
of paragraph (l)(8) apply when an employee reports significant irritation of
the mucosa of the eyes or the upper
airways, respiratory sensitization, dermal irritation, or dermal sensitization
attributed to workplace formaldehyde
exposure. Medical removal provisions
do not apply in the case of dermal irritation or dermal sensitization when
the product suspected of causing the
dermal condition contains less than
0.05% formaldehyde.
(ii) An employee’s report of signs or
symptoms of possible overexposure to
formaldehyde shall be evaluated by a
physician selected by the employer
pursuant to paragraph (l)(3). If the physician determines that a medical examination is not necessary under paragraph (l)(3)(ii), there shall be a twoweek evaluation and remediation period to permit the employer to ascertain whether the signs or symptoms
subside untreated or with the use of
creams, gloves, first aid treatment or
personal protective equipment. Industrial hygiene measures that limit the
employee’s exposure to formaldehyde
may also be implemented during this
period. The employee shall be referred
immediately to a physician prior to expiration of the two-week period if the
signs or symptoms worsen. Earnings,
seniority and benefits may not be altered during the two-week period by
virtue of the report.
(iii) If the signs or symptoms have
not subsided or been remedied by the
end of the two-week period, or earlier if
signs or symptoms warrant, the employee shall be examined by a physician selected by the employer. The
physician shall presume, absent contrary evidence, that observed dermal
irritation or dermal sensitization are
not attributable to formaldehyde when
products to which the affected employee is exposed contain less than
0.1% formaldehyde.
(iv) Medical examinations shall be
conducted in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (l)(5) (i) and

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

(ii). Additional guidelines for conducting medical exams are contained
in appendix C.
(v) If the physician finds that significant irritation of the mucosa of the
eyes or of the upper airways, respiratory sensitization, dermal irritation, or dermal sensitization result
from workplace formaldehyde exposure
and recommends restrictions or removal, the employer shall promptly
comply with the restrictions or recommendation of removal. In the event
of a recommendation of removal, the
employer shall remove the effected employee from the current formaldehyde
exposure and if possible, transfer the
employee to work having no or significantly less exposure to formaldehyde.
(vi) When an employee is removed
pursuant to paragraph (l)(8)(v), the employer shall transfer the employee to
comparable work for which the employee is qualified or can be trained in
a short period (up to 6 months), where
the formaldehyde exposures are as low
as possible, but not higher than the action level. The employeer shall maintain the employee’s current earnings,
seniority, and other benefits. If there is
no such work available, the employer
shall maintain the employee’s current
earnings, seniority and other benefits
until such work becomes available,
until the employee is determined to be
unable to return to workplace formaldehyde exposure, until the employee
is determined to be able to return to
the original job status, or for six
months, whichever comes first.
(vii) The employer shall arrange for a
follow-up medical examination to take
place within six months after the employee is removed pursuant to this
paragraph. This examination shall determine if the employee can return to
the original job status, or if the removal is to be permanent. The physician shall make a decision within six
months of the date the employee was
removed as to whether the employee
can be returned to the original job status, or if the removal is to be permanent.
(viii) An employer’s obligation to
provide earnings, seniority and other
benefits to a removed employee may be
reduced to the extent that the employee receives compensation for earn-

ings lost during the period of removal
either from a publicly or employerfunded compensation program or from
employment with another employer
made possible by virtue of the employee’s removal.
(ix) In making determinations of the
formaldehyde content of materials
under this paragraph the employer
may rely on objective data.
(9) Multiple physician review. (i) After
the employer selects the initial physician who conducts any medical examination or consultation to determine
whether medical removal or restriction
is appropriate, the employee may designate a second physician to review
any findings, determinations or recommendations of the initial physician
and to conduct such examinations, consultations, and laboratory tests as the
second physician deems necessary and
appropriate to evaluate the effects of
formaldehyde exposure and to facilitate this review.
(ii) The employer shall promptly notify an employee of the right to seek a
second medical opinion after each occasion that an initial physician conducts a medical examination or consultation for the purpose of medical removal or restriction.
(iii) The employer may condition its
participation in, and payment for, the
multiple physician review mechanism
upon the employee doing the following
within fifteen (15) days after receipt of
the notification of the right to seek a
second medical opinion, or receipt of
the initial physician’s written opinion,
whichever is later;
(A) The employee informs the employer of the intention to seek a second
medical opinion, and
(B) The employee initiates steps to
make an appointment with a second
physician.
(iv) If the findings, determinations or
recommendations of the second physician differ from those of the initial
physician, then the employer and the
employee shall assure that efforts are
made for the two physicians to resolve
the disagreement. If the two physicians
are unable to quickly resolve their disagreement, then the employer and the

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
employee through their respective physicians shall designate a third physician who shall be a specialist in the
field at issue:
(A) To review the findings, determinations or recommendations of the
prior physicians; and
(B) To conduct such examinations,
consultations, laboratory tests and discussions with the prior physicians as
the third physician deems necessary to
resolve the disagreement of the prior
physicians.
(v) In the alternative, the employer
and the employee or authorized employee representative may jointly designate such third physician.
(vi) The employer shall act consistent with the findings, determinations and recommendations of the
third physician, unless the employer
and the employee reach an agreement
which is otherwise consistent with the
recommendations of at least one of the
three physicians.
(m) Hazard communication—(1) General. Communication of the hazards associated with formaldehyde in the
workplace shall be governed by the requirements of paragraph (m). The definitions of 29 CFR 1910.1200(c) shall
apply under this paragraph.
(i) The following shall be subject to
the hazard communication requirements of this paragraph: Formaldehyde
gas, all mixtures or solutions composed
of greater than 0.1 percent formaldehyde, and materials capable of releasing formaldehyde into the air, under
reasonably foreseeable conditions of
use, at concentrations reaching or exceeding 0.1 ppm.
(ii) As a minimum, specific health
hazards that the employer shall address are: Cancer, irritation and sensitization of the skin and respiratory
system, eye and throat irritation, and
acute toxicity.
(2) Manufacturers and importers who
produce or import formaldehyde or
formaldehyde-containing
products
shall provide downstream employers
using or handling these products with
an objective determination through the
required labels and MSDSs if these
items may constitute a health hazard
within the meaning of 29 CFR
1910.1200(d) under normal conditions of
use.

§ 1910.1048

(3) Labels. (i) The employer shall assure that hazard warning labels complying with the requirements of 29 CFR
1910.1200(f) are affixed to all containers
of materials listed in paragraph
(m)(1)(i), except to the extent that 29
CFR 1910.1200(f) is inconsistent with
this paragraph.
(ii) Information on labels. As a minimum, for all materials listed in paragraph (m)(1)(i) capable of releasing
formaldehyde at levels of 0.1 ppm to 0.5
ppm, labels shall identify that the
product contains formaldehyde; list the
name and address of the responsible
party; and state that physical and
health hazard information is readily
available from the employer and from
material safety data sheets.
(iii) For materials listed in paragraph (m)(1)(i) capable of releasing
formaldehyde at levels above 0.5 ppm,
labels shall appropriately address all
hazards
as
defined
in
29
CFR
1910.1200(d) and 29 CFR 1910.1200 appendices A and B, including respiratory
sensitization, and shall contain the
words ‘‘Potential Cancer Hazard.’’
(iv) In making the determinations of
anticipated levels of formaldehyde release, the employer may rely on objective data indicating the extent of potential formaldehyde release under reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.
(v) Substitute warning labels. The employer may use warning labels required
by other statutes, regulations, or ordinances which impart the same information as the warning statements required by this paragraph.
(4) Material safety data sheets. (i) Any
employer who uses formaldehyde-containing materials listed in paragraph
(m)(1)(i) shall comply with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200(g) with regard to the development and updating
of material safety data sheets.
(ii) Manufacturers, importers, and
distributors
of
formaldehyde-containing materials listed in paragraph
(m)(1)(i) shall assure that material
safety data sheets and updated information are provided to all employers
purchasing such materials at the time
of the initial shipment and at the time
of the first shipment after a material
safety data sheet is updated.

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

(5) Written hazard communication program. The employer shall develop, implement, and maintain at the workplace, a written hazard communication
program for formaldehyde exposures in
the workplace, which at a minimum
describes how the requirements specified in this paragraph for labels and
other forms of warning and material
safety data sheets, and paragraph (n)
for employee information and training,
will be met. Employers in multi-employer workplaces shall comply with
the
requirements
of
29
CFR
1910.1200(e)(2).
(n) Employee information and training—(1) Participation. The employer
shall assure that all employees who are
assigned to workplaces where there is
exposure to formaldehyde participate
in a training program, except that
where the employer can show, using
objective data, that employees are not
exposed to formaldehyde at or above 0.1
ppm, the employer is not required to
provide training.
(2) Frequency. Employers shall provide such information and training to
employees at the time of initial assignment, and whenever a new exposure to
formaldehyde is introduced into the
work area. The training shall be repeated at least annually.
(3) Training program. The training
program shall be conducted in a manner which the employee is able to understand and shall include:
(i) A discussion of the contents of
this regulation and the contents of the
Material Safety Data Sheet.
(ii) The purpose for and a description
of the medical surveillance program required by this standard, including:
(A) A description of the potential
health hazards associated with exposure to formaldehyde and a description
of the signs and symptoms of exposure
to formaldehyde.
(B) Instructions to immediately report to the employer the development
of any adverse signs or symptoms that
the employee suspects is attributable
to formaldehyde exposure.
(iii) Description of operations in the
work area where formaldehyde is
present and an explanation of the safe
work practices appropriate for limiting
exposure to formaldehyde in each job;

(iv) The purpose for, proper use of,
and limitations of personal protective
clothing and equipment;
(v) Instructions for the handling of
spills, emergencies, and clean-up procedures;
(vi) An explanation of the importance
of engineering and work practice controls for employee protection and any
necessary instruction in the use of
these controls; and
(vii) A review of emergency procedures including the specific duties or
assignments of each employee in the
event of an emergency.
(4) Access to training materials. (i) The
employer shall inform all affected employees of the location of written
training materials and shall make
these materials readily available, without cost, to the affected employees.
(ii) The employer shall provide, upon
request, all training materials relating
to the employee training program to
the Assistant Secretary and the Director.
(o) Recordkeeping—(1) Exposure measurements. The employer shall establish
and maintain an accurate record of all
measurements taken to monitor employee exposure to formaldehyde. This
record shall include:
(i) The date of measurement;
(ii) The operation being monitored;
(iii) The methods of sampling and
analysis and evidence of their accuracy
and precision;
(iv) The number, durations, time, and
results of samples taken;
(v) The types of protective devices
worn; and
(vi) The names, job classifications,
social security numbers, and exposure
estimates of the employees whose exposures are represented by the actual
monitoring results.
(2) Exposure determinations. Where the
employer has determined that no monitoring is required under this standard,
the employer shall maintain a record
of the objective data relied upon to
support the determination that no employee is exposed to formaldehyde at or
above the action level.
(3) Medical surveillance. The employer
shall establish and maintain an accurate record for each employee subject
to medical surveillance under this
standard. This record shall include:

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
(i) The name and social security
number of the employee;
(ii) The physician’s written opinion;
(iii) A list of any employee health
complaints that may be related to exposure to formaldehyde; and
(iv) A copy of the medical examination results, including medical disease
questionnaires and results of any medical tests required by the standard or
mandated by the examining physician.
(4) Respirator fit testing. (i) The employer shall establish and maintain accurate records for employees subject to
negative pressure respirator fit testing
required by this standard.
(ii) This record shall include:
(A) A copy of the protocol selected
for respirator fit testing.
(B) A copy of the results of any fit
testing performed.
(C) The size and manufacturer of the
types of respirators available for selection.
(D) The date of the most recent fit
testing, the name and social security
number of each tested employee, and
the respirator type and facepiece selected.
(5) Record retention. The employer
shall retain records required by this
standard for at least the following periods:
(i) Exposure records and determinations shall be kept for at least 30 years.
(ii) Medical records shall be kept for
the duration of employment plus 30
years.
(iii) Respirator fit testing records
shall be kept until replaced by a more
recent record.
(6) Availability of records. (i) Upon request, the employer shall make all
records maintained as a requirement of
this standard available for examination
and copying to the Assistant Secretary
and the Director.
(ii) The employer shall make employee exposure records, including estimates made from representative monitoring and available upon request for
examination, and copying to the subject employee, or former employee, and
employee representatives in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020 (a)–(e) and
(g)–(i).
(iii) Employee medical records required by this standard shall be provided upon request for examination and

§ 1910.1048

coying, to the subject employee or
former employee or to anyone having
the specific written consent of the subject employee or former employee in
accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020 (a)–(e)
and (g)–(i).
APPENDIX A TO § 1910.1048—SUBSTANCE
TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR FORMALIN
The following Substance Technical Guideline for Formalin provides information on
uninhibited formalin solution (37% formaldehyde, no methanol stabilizer). It is designed
to inform employees at the production level
of their rights and duties under the formaldehyde standard whether their job title defines them as workers or supervisors. Much
of the information provided is general; however, some information is specific for formalin. When employee exposure to formaldehyde is from resins capable of releasing
formaldehyde, the resin itself and other impurities or decomposition products may also
be toxic, and employers should include this
information as well when informing employees of the hazards associated with the materials they handle. The precise hazards associated with exposure to formaldehyde depend
both on the form (solid, liquid, or gas) of the
material and the concentration of formaldehyde present. For example, 37–50 percent solutions of formaldehyde present a much
greater hazard to the skin and eyes from
spills or splashes than solutions containing
less than 1 percent formaldehyde. Individual
Substance Technical Guidelines used by the
employer for training employees should be
modified to properly give information on the
material actually being used.
Substance Identification
Chemical Name: Formaldehyde
Chemical Family: Aldehyde
Chemical Formula: HCHO
Molecular Weight: 30.03
Chemical Abstracts Service Number (CAS Number): 50–00–0
Synonyms: Formalin; Formic Aldehyde;
Paraform; Formol; Formalin (Methanolfree); Fyde; Formalith; Methanal; Methyl
Aldehyde; Methylene Glycol; Methylene
Oxide;
Tetraoxymethalene;
Oxomethane;
Oxymethylene
Components and Contaminants
Percent: 37.0 Formaldehyde
Percent: 63.0 Water
(Note—Inhibited solutions
anol.)

contain

Other Contaminants: Formic acid (alcohol
free)
Exposure Limits:
OSHA TWA—0.75 ppm
OSHA STEL—2 ppm

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)
Physical Data

Description: Colorless liquid, pungent odor
Boiling point: 214 °F (101 °C)
Specific Gravity: 1.08 (H2 O=1 @ 20 °C)
pH: 2.8–4.0
Solubility in Water: Miscible
Solvent Solubility: Soluble in alcohol and acetone
Vapor Density: 1.04 (Air=1 @ 20 °C)
Odor Threshold: 0.8–1 ppm

hyde
reacts
with
nitrogen
dioxide,
nitromethane, perchloric acid and aniline, or
peroxyformic acid to yield explosive compounds. A violent reaction occurs when
formaldehyde is mixed with strong oxidizers.
Hazardous Combustion or Decomposition
Products: Oxygen from the air can oxidize
formaldehyde to formic acid, especially when
heated. Formic acid is corrosive.
Health Hazard Data

Fire and Explosion Hazard

Acute Effects of Exposure

Moderate fire and explosion hazard when
exposed to heat or flame.
The flash point of 37% formaldehyde solutions is above normal room temperature, but
the explosion range is very wide, from 7 to
73% by volume in air.
Reaction of formaldehyde with nitrogen dioxide, nitromethane, perchloric acid and aniline, or peroxyformic acid yields explosive
compounds.
Flash Point: 185 °F (85 °C) closed cup
Lower Explosion Limit: 7%
Upper Explosion Limit: 73%
Autoignition Temperature: 806 °F (430 °C)
Flammability Class (OSHA): III A
Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical,
‘‘alcohol foam’’, carbon dioxide, or water in
flooding amounts as fog. Solid streams may
not be effective. Cool fire-exposed containers
with water from side until well after fire is
out.
Use of water spray to flush spills can also
dilute the spill to produce nonflammable
mixtures. Water runoff, however, should be
contained for treatment.

Ingestion (Swallowing): Liquids containing
10 to 40% formaldehyde cause severe irritation and inflammation of the mouth, throat,
and stomach. Severe stomach pains will follow ingestion with possible loss of consciousness and death. Ingestion of dilute formaldehyde solutions (0.03–0.04%) may cause discomfort in the stomach and pharynx.
Inhalation (Breathing): Formaldehyde is
highly irritating to the upper respiratory
tract and eyes. Concentrations of 0.5 to 2.0
ppm may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat
of some individuals. Concentrations of 3 to 5
ppm also cause tearing of the eyes and are
intolerable to some persons. Concentrations
of 10 to 20 ppm cause difficulty in breathing,
burning of the nose and throat, cough, and
heavy tearing of the eyes, and 25 to 30 ppm
causes severe respiratory tract injury leading to pulmonary edema and pneumonitis. A
concentration of 100 ppm is immediately
dangerous to life and health. Deaths from accidental exposure to high concentrations of
formaldehyde have been reported.
Skin (Dermal): Formalin is a severe skin irritant and a sensitizer. Contact with formalin causes white discoloration, smarting,
drying, cracking, and scaling. Prolonged and
repeated contact can cause numbness and a
hardening or tanning of the skin. Previously
exposed persons may react to future exposure with an allergic eczematous dermatitis
or hives.
Eye
Contact:
Formaldehyde
solutions
splashed in the eye can cause injuries ranging from transient discomfort to severe, permanent corneal clouding and loss of vision.
The severity of the effect depends on the
concentration of formaldehyde in the solution and whether or not the eyes are flushed
with water immediately after the accident.
NOTE. The perception of formaldehyde by
odor and eye irritation becomes less sensitive with time as one adapts to formaldehyde. This can lead to overexposure if a
worker is relying on formaldehyde’s warning
properties to alert him or her to the potential for exposure.
Acute Animal Toxicity:
Oral, rats: LD50=800 mg/kg
Oral, mouse: LD50=42 mg/kg
Inhalation, rats: LCLo=250 mg/kg
Inhalation, mouse: LCLo=900 mg/kg

National Fire Protection Association Section
325M Designation:
Health: 2—Materials hazardous to health,
but areas may be entered with full-faced
mask self-contained breathing apparatus
which provides eye protection.
Flammability: 2—Materials which must be
moderately heated before ignition will occur.
Water spray may be used to extinguish the
fire because the material can be cooled below
its flash point.
Reactivity: D—Materials which (in themselves) are normally stable even under fire
exposure conditions and which are not reactive with water. Normal fire fighting procedures may be used.
Reactivity
Stability: Formaldehyde solutions may selfpolymerize to form paraformaldehyde which
precipitates.
Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): Strong
oxidizing agents, caustics, strong alkalies,
isocyanates, anhydrides, oxides, and inorganic acids. Formaldehyde reacts with hydrochloric acid to form the potent carcinogen, bis-chloromethyl ether. Formalde-

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
Inhalation, rats: LC50=590 mg/kg
Chronic Effects of Exposure
Carcinogenicity: Formaldehyde has the potential to cause cancer in humans. Repeated
and prolonged exposure increases the risk.
Various animal experiments have conclusively shown formaldehyde to be a carcinogen in rats. In humans, formaldehyde exposure has been associated with cancers of
the lung, nasopharynx and oropharynx, and
nasal passages.
Mutagenicity: Formaldehyde is genotoxic in
several in vitro test systems showing properties of both an initiator and a promoter.
Toxicity: Prolonged or repeated exposure to
formaldehyde may result in respiratory impairment. Rats exposed to formaldehyde at 2
ppm developed benign nasal tumors and
changes of the cell structure in the nose as
well as inflamed mucous membranes of the
nose. Structural changes in the epithelial
cells in the human nose have also been observed. Some persons have developed asthma
or bronchitis following exposure to formaldehyde, most often as the result of an accidental spill involving a single exposure to a
high concentration of formaldehyde.
Emergency and First Aid Procedures
Ingestion (Swallowing): If the victim is conscious, dilute, inactivate, or absorb the ingested formaldehyde by giving milk, activated charcoal, or water. Any organic material will inactivate formaldehyde. Keep affected person warm and at rest. Get medical
attention immediately. If vomiting occurs,
keep head lower than hips.
Inhalation (Breathing): Remove the victim
from the exposure area to fresh air immediately. Where the formaldehyde concentration may be very high, each rescuer must
put on a self-contained breathing apparatus
before attempting to remove the victim, and
medical personnel should be informed of the
formaldehyde exposure immediately. If
breathing has stopped, give artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at
rest. Qualified first-aid or medical personnel
should administer oxygen, if available, and
maintain the patient’s airways and blood
pressure until the victim can be transported
to a medical facility. If exposure results in a
highly irritated upper respiratory tract and
coughing continues for more than 10 minutes, the worker should be hospitalized for
observation and treatment.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing (including shoes) immediately. Wash the
affected area of your body with soap or mild
detergent and large amounts of water until
no evidence of the chemical remains (at least
15 to 20 minutes). If there are chemical
burns, get first aid to cover the area with
sterile, dry dressing, and bandages. Get med-

§ 1910.1048

ical attention if you experience appreciable
eye or respiratory irritation.
Eye Contact: Wash the eyes immediately
with large amounts of water occasionally
lifting lower and upper lids, until no evidence of chemical remains (at least 15 to 20
minutes). In case of burns, apply sterile bandages loosely without medication. Get medical attention immediately. If you have experienced appreciable eye irritation from a
splash or excessive exposure, you should be
referred promptly to an opthamologist for
evaluation.
Emergency Procedures
Emergencies: If you work in an area where
a large amount of formaldehyde could be released in an accident or from equipment failure, your employer must develop procedures
to be followed in event of an emergency. You
should be trained in your specific duties in
the event of an emergency, and it is important that you clearly understand these duties. Emergency equipment must be accessible and you should be trained to use any
equipment that you might need. Formaldehyde contaminated equipment must be
cleaned before reuse.
If a spill of appreciable quantity occurs,
leave the area quickly unless you have specific emergency duties. Do not touch spilled
material. Designated persons may stop the
leak and shut off ignition sources if these
procedures can be done without risk. Designated persons should isolate the hazard
area and deny entry except for necessary
people protected by suitable protective
clothing and respirators adequate for the exposure. Use water spray to reduce vapors. Do
not smoke, and prohibit all flames or flares
in the hazard area.
Special Firefighting Procedures: Learn procedures and responsibilities in the event of a
fire in your workplace. Become familiar with
the appropriate equipment and supplies and
their location. In firefighting, withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety device or any discoloration of
storage tank due to fire.
Spill, Leak, and Disposal Procedures
Occupational Spill: For small containers,
place the leaking container in a well ventilated area. Take up small spills with absorbent material and place the waste into properly labeled containers for later disposal.
For larger spills, dike the spill to minimize
contamination and facilitate salvage or disposal. You may be able to neutralize the spill
with sodium hydroxide or sodium sulfite.
Your employer must comply with EPA rules
regarding the clean-up of toxic waste and notify state and local authorities, if required.
If the spill is greater than 1,000 lb/day, it is
reportable under EPA’s Superfund legislation.

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

Waste Disposal: Your employer must dispose of waste containing formaldehyde in accordance with applicable local, state, and
Federal law and in a manner that minimizes
exposure of employees at the site and of the
clean-up crew.
Monitoring and Measurement Procedures
Monitoring Requirements: If your exposure
to formaldehyde exceeds the 0.5 ppm action
level or the 2 ppm STEL, your employer
must monitor your exposure. Your employer
need not measure every exposure if a ‘‘high
exposure’’ employee can be identified. This
person usually spends the greatest amount of
time nearest the process equipment. If you
are a ‘‘representative employee’’, you will be
asked to wear a sampling device to collect
formaldehyde. This device may be a passive
badge, a sorbent tube attached to a pump, or
an impinger containing liquid. You should
perform your work as usual, but inform the
person who is conducting the monitoring of
any difficulties you are having wearing the
device.
Evaluation of 8-hour Exposure: Measurements taken for the purpose of determining
time-weighted average (TWA) exposures are
best taken with samples covering the full
shift. Samples collected must be taken from
the employee’s breathing zone air.
Short-term Exposure Evaluation: If there are
tasks that involve brief but intense exposure
to formaldehyde, employee exposure must be
measured to assure compliance with the
STEL. Sample collections are for brief periods, only 15 minutes, but several samples
may be needed to identify the peak exposure.
Monitoring Techniques: OSHA’s only requirement for selecting a method for sampling and analysis is that the methods used
accurately evaluate the concentration of
formaldehyde in employees’ breathing zones.
Sampling and analysis may be performed by
collection of formaldehyde on liquid or solid
sorbents with subsequent chemical analysis.
Sampling and analysis may also be performed by passive diffusion monitors and
short-term exposure may be measured by instruments such as real-time continuous
monitoring systems and portable direct reading instruments.
Notification of Results: Your employer must
inform you of the results of exposure monitoring representative of your job. You may
be informed in writing, but posting the results where you have ready access to them
constitutes compliance with the standard.

Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved
full facepiece negative pressure respirators
equipped with approved cartridges or canisters within the use limitations of these devices. (Present restrictions on cartridges and
canisters do not permit them to be used for
a full workshift.) In all other situations, use
positive pressure respirators such as the
positive-pressure air purifying respirator or
the self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA). If you use a negative pressure respirator, your employer must provide you
with fit testing of the respirator at least
once a year.
Protective Gloves: Wear protective (impervious) gloves provided by your employer, at
no cost, to prevent contact with formalin.
Your employer should select these gloves
based on the results of permeation testing
and in accordance with the ACGIH Guidelines for Selection of Chemical Protective
Clothing.
Eye Protection: If you might be splashed in
the eyes with formalin, it is essential that
you wear goggles or some other type of complete protection for the eye. You may also
need a face shield if your face is likely to be
splashed with formalin, but you must not
substitute face shields for eye protection.
(This section pertains to formaldehyde solutions of 1% or more.)
Other Protective Equipment: You must wear
protective (impervious) clothing and equipment provided by your employer at no cost
to prevent repeated or prolonged contact
with formaldehyde liquids. If you are required to change into whole-body chemical
protective clothing, your employer must provide a change room for your privacy and for
storage of your normal clothing.
If you are splashed with formaldehyde, use
the emergency showers and eyewash fountains provided by your employer immediately to prevent serious injury. Report the
incident to your supervisor and obtain necessary medical support.
ENTRY INTO AN IDLH ATMOSPHERE
Enter areas where the formaldehyde concentration might be 100 ppm or more only
with complete body protection including a
self-contained breathing apparatus with a
full facepiece operated in a positive pressure
mode or a supplied air respirator with full
facepiece and operated in a positive pressure
mode. This equipment is essential to protect
your life and health under such extreme conditions.

Protective Equipment and Clothing

Engineering Controls

[Material impervious to formaldehyde is
needed if the employee handles formaldehyde
solutions of 1% or more. Other employees
may also require protective clothing or
equipment to prevent dermatitis.]

Ventilation is the most widely applied engineering control method for reducing the
concentration of airborne substances in the
breathing zones of workers. There are two
distinct types of ventilation.

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
Local Exhaust: Local exhaust ventilation is
designed to capture airborne contaminants
as near to the point of generation as possible. To protect you, the direction of contaminant flow must always be toward the
local exhaust system inlet and away from
you.
General (Mechanical): General dilution ventilation involves continuous introduction of
fresh air into the workroom to mix with the
contaminated air and lower your breathing
zone concentration of formaldehyde. Effectiveness depends on the number of air
changes per hour. Where devices emitting
formaldehyde are spread out over a large
area, general dilution ventilation may be the
only practical method of control.
Work Practices: Work practices and administrative procedures are an important part of
a control system. If you are asked to perform
a task in a certain manner to limit your exposure to formaldehyde, it is extremely important that you follow these procedures.
Medical Surveillance
Medical surveillance helps to protect employees’ health. You are encouraged strongly
to participate in the medical surveillance
program.
Your employer must make a medical surveillance program available at no expense to
you and at a reasonable time and place if
you are exposed to formaldehyde at concentrations above 0.5 ppm as an 8-hour average or 2 ppm over any 15-minute period. You
will be offered medical surveillance at the
time of your initial assignment and once a
year afterward as long as your exposure is at
least 0.5 ppm (TWA) or 2 ppm (STEL). Even
if your exposure is below these levels, you
should inform your employer if you have
signs and symptoms that you suspect,
through your training, are related to your
formaldehyde exposure because you may
need medical surveillance to determine if
your health is being impaired by your exposure.
The surveillance plan includes:
(a) A medical disease questionnaire.
(b) A physical examination if the physician
determines this is necessary.
If you are required to wear a respirator,
your employer must offer you a physical examination and a pulmonary function test
every year.
The physician must collect all information
needed to determine if you are at increased
risk from your exposure to formaldehyde. At
the physician’s discretion, the medical examination may include other tests, such as a
chest x-ray, to make this determination.
After a medical examination the physician
will provide your employer with a written
opinion which includes any special protective measures recommended and any restrictions on your exposure. The physician must
inform you of any medical conditions you

§ 1910.1048

have which would be aggravated by exposure
to formaldehyde.
All records from your medical examinations, including disease surveys, must be retained at your employer’s expense.
EMERGENCIES
If you are exposed to formaldehyde in an
emergency and develop signs or symptoms
associated with acute toxicity from formaldehyde exposure, your employer must provide you with a medical examination as soon
as possible. This medical examination will
include all steps necessary to stabilize your
health. You may be kept in the hospital for
observation if your symptoms are severe to
ensure that any delayed effects are recognized and treated.
APPENDIX B TO § 1910.1048—SAMPLING STRATEGY AND ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR FORMALDEHYDE

To protect the health of employees, exposure measurements must be unbiased and
representative of employee exposure. The
proper measurement of employee exposure
requires more than a token commitment on
the part of the employer. OSHA’s mandatory
requirements establish a baseline; under the
best of circumstances all questions regarding
employee exposure will be answered. Many
employers, however, will wish to conduct
more extensive monitoring before undertaking expensive commitments, such as engineering controls, to assure that the modifications are truly necessary. The following
sampling strategy, which was developed at
NIOSH by Nelson A. Leidel, Kenneth A.
Busch, and Jeremiah R. Lynch and described
in NIOSH publication No. 77–173 (Occupational Exposure Sampling Strategy Manual)
will assist the employer in developing a
strategy for determining the exposure of his
or her employees.
There is no one correct way to determine
employee exposure. Obviously, measuring
the exposure of every employee exposed to
formaldehyde will provide the most information on any given day. Where few employees
are exposed, this may be a practical solution.
For most employers, however, use of the following strategy will give just as much information at less cost.
Exposure data collected on a single day
will not automatically guarantee the employer that his or her workplace is always in
compliance with the formaldehyde standard.
This does not imply, however, that it is impossible for an employer to be sure that his
or her worksite is in compliance with the
standard. Indeed, a properly designed sampling strategy showing that all employees
are exposed below the PELs, at least with a
95 percent certainty, is compelling evidence
that the exposure limits are being achieved
provided that measurements are conducted

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

using valid sampling strategy and approved
analytical methods.
There are two PELs, the TWA concentration and the STEL. Most employers will find
that one of these two limits is more critical
in the control of their operations, and OSHA
expects that the employer will concentrate
monitoring efforts on the critical component. If the more difficult exposure is controlled, this information, along with calculations to support the assumptions, should be
adequate to show that the other exposure
limit is also being achieved.
Sampling Strategy
Determination of the Need for Exposure
Measurements
The employer must determine whether employees may be exposed to concentrations in
excess of the action level. This determination becomes the first step in an employee
exposure monitoring program that minimizes employer sampling burdens while providing adequate employee protection. If employees may be exposed above the action
level, the employer must measure exposure.
Otherwise, an objective determination that
employee exposure is low provides adequate
evidence that exposure potential has been
examined.
The employer should examine all available
relevant information, eg. insurance company
and trade association data and information
from suppliers or exposure data collected
from similar operations. The employer may
also use previously-conducted sampling including area monitoring. The employer must
make a determination relevant to each operation although this need not be on a separate
piece of paper. If the employer can demonstrate conclusively that no employee is
exposed above the action level or the STEL
through the use of objective data, the employer need proceed no further on employee
exposure monitoring until such time that
conditions have changed and the determination is no longer valid.
If the employer cannot determine that employee exposure is less than the action level
and the STEL, employee exposure monitoring will have to be conducted.
Workplace Material Survey
The primary purpose of a survey of raw
material is to determine if formaldehyde is
being used in the work environment and if
so, the conditions under which formaldehyde
is being used.
The first step is to tabulate all situations
where formaldehyde is used in a manner such
that it may be released into the workplace
atmosphere or contaminate the skin. This
information should be available through
analysis of company records and information
on the MSDSs available through provisions

of this standard and the Hazard Communication standard.
If there is an indication from materials
handling records and accompanying MSDSs
that formaldehyde is being used in the following types of processes or work operations,
there may be a potential for releasing formaldehyde into the workplace atmosphere:
(1) Any operation that involves grinding,
sanding, sawing, cutting, crushing, screening, sieving, or any other manipulation of
material that generates formaldehyde-bearing dust
(2) Any processes where there have been
employee complaints or symptoms indicative of exposure to formaldehyde
(3) Any liquid or spray process involving
formaldehyde
(4) Any process that uses formaldehyde in
preserved tissue
(5) Any process that involves the heating
of a formaldehyde-bearing resin.
Processes and work operations that use
formaldehyde in these manners will probably
require further investigation at the worksite
to determine the extent of employee monitoring that should be conducted.
Workplace Observations
To this point, the only intention has been
to provide an indication as to the existence
of potentially exposed employees. With this
information, a visit to the workplace is needed to observe work operations, to identify
potential health hazards, and to determine
whether any employees may be exposed to
hazardous concentrations of formaldehyde.
In many circumstances, sources of formaldehyde can be identified through the sense
of smell. However, this method of detection
should be used with caution because of olfactory fatigue.
Employee location in relation to source of
formaldehyde is important in determining if
an employee may be significantly exposed to
formaldehyde. In most instances, the closer
a worker is to the source, the higher the
probability that a significant exposure will
occur.
Other characteristics should be considered.
Certain high temperature operations give
rise to higher evaporation rates. Locations
of open doors and windows provide natural
ventilation that tend to dilute formaldehyde
emissions. General room ventilation also
provides a measure of control.
Calculation of Potential Exposure
Concentrations
By knowing the ventilation rate in a workplace and the quantity of formaldehyde generated, the employer may be able to determine by calculation if the PELs might be exceeded. To account for poor mixing of formaldehyde into the entire room, locations of
fans and proximity of employees to the work

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
operation, the employer must include a safety factor. If an employee is relatively close
to a source, particularly if he or she is located downwind, a safety factor of 100 may
be necessary. For other situations, a factor
of 10 may be acceptable. If the employer can
demonstrate through such calculations that
employee exposure does not exceed the action level or the STEL, the employer may
use this information as objective data to
demonstrate compliance with the standard.
Sampling Strategy
Once the employer determines that there
is a possibility of substantial employee exposure to formaldehyde, the employer is obligated to measure employee exposure.
The next step is selection of a maximum
risk employee. When there are different
processes where employees may be exposed
to formaldehyde, a maximum risk employee
should be selected for each work operation.
Selection of the maximum risk employee
requires professional judgment. The best procedure for selecting the maximum risk employee is to observe employees and select the
person closest to the source of formaldehyde.
Employee mobility may affect this selection;
eg. if the closest employee is mobile in his
tasks, he may not be the maximum risk employee. Air movement patterns and differences in work habits will also affect selection of the maximum risk employee.
When many employees perform essentially
the same task, a maximum risk employee
cannot be selected. In this circumstance, it
is necessary to resort to random sampling of
the group of workers. The objective is to select a subgroup of adequate size so that there
is a high probability that the random sample
will contain at least one worker with high
exposure if one exists. The number of persons
in the group influences the number that need
to be sampled to ensure that at least one individual from the highest 10 percent exposure group is contained in the sample. For
example, to have 90 percent confidence in the
results, if the group size is 10, nine should be
sampled; for 50, only 18 need to be sampled.
If measurement shows exposure to formaldehyde at or above the action level or the
STEL, the employer needs to identify all
other employees who may be exposed at or
above the action level or STEL and measure
or otherwise accurately characterize the exposure of these employees.
Whether representative monitoring or random sampling are conducted, the purpose remains the same—to determine if the exposure of any employee is above the action
level. If the exposure of the most exposed
employee is less than the action level and
the STEL, regardless of how the employee is
identified, then it is reasonable to assume
that measurements of exposure of the other
employees in that operation would be below
the action level and the STEL.

§ 1910.1048
Exposure Measurements

There is no ‘‘best’’ measurement strategy
for all situations. Some elements to consider
in developing a strategy are:
(1) Availability and cost of sampling equipment
(2) Availability and cost of analytic facilities
(3) Availability and cost of personnel to
take samples
(4) Location of employees and work operations
(5) Intraday and interday variations in the
process
(6) Precision and accuracy of sampling and
analytic methods, and
(7) Number of samples needed.
Samples taken for determining compliance
with the STEL differ from those that measure the TWA concentration in important
ways. STEL samples are best taken in a nonrandom fashion using all available knowledge relating to the area, the individual, and
the process to obtain samples during periods
of maximum expected concentrations. At
least three measurements on a shift are generally needed to spot gross errors or mistakes; however, only the highest value represents the STEL.
If an operation remains constant throughout the workshift, a much greater number of
samples would need to be taken over the 32
discrete nonoverlapping periods in an 8-hour
workshift to verify compliance with a STEL.
If employee exposure is truly uniform
throughout the workshift, however, an employer in compliance with the l ppm TWA
would be in compliance with the 2 ppm
STEL, and this determination can probably
be made using objective data.
Need To Repeat the Monitoring Strategy
Interday and intraday fluctuations in employee exposure are mostly influenced by the
physical processes that generate formaldehyde and the work habits of the employee.
Hence, in-plant process variations influence
the employer’s determination of whether or
not additional controls need to be imposed.
Measurements that employee exposure is low
on a day that is not representative of worst
conditions may not provide sufficient information to determine whether or not additional engineering controls should be installed to achieve the PELs.
The person responsible for conducting sampling must be aware of systematic changes
which will negate the validity of the sampling results. Systematic changes in formaldehyde exposure concentration for an employee can occur due to:
(1) The employee changing patterns of
movement in the workplace
(2) Closing of plant doors and windows
(3) Changes in ventilation from season to
season

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

(4) Decreases in ventilation efficiency or
abrupt failure of engineering control equipment
(5) Changes in the production process or
work habits of the employee.
Any of these changes, if they may result in
additional exposure that reaches the next
level of action (i.e. 0.5 or 1.0 ppm as an 8-hr
average or 2 ppm over 15 minutes) require
the employer to perform additional monitoring to reassess employee exposure.
A number of methods are suitable for
measuring employee exposure to formaldehyde or for characterizing emissions within
the worksite. The preamble to this standard
describes some methods that have been widely used or subjected to validation testing. A
detailed analytical procedure derived from
the OSHA Method 52 for acrolein and formaldehyde is presented below for informational purposes.
Inclusion of OSHA’s method in this appendix in no way implies that it is the only acceptable way to measure employee exposure
to formaldehyde. Other methods that are
free from significant interferences and that
can determine formaldehyde at the permissible exposure limits within ±25 percent of
the ‘‘true’’ value at the 95 percent confidence
level are also acceptable. Where applicable,
the method shou1d a1so be capab1e of measuring formaldehyde at the action level to ±35
percent of the ‘‘true’’ value with a 95 percent
confidence
level.
OSHA
encourages
emp1oyers to choose methods that will be
best for their individual needs. The employer
must exercise caution, however, in choosing
an appropriate method since some techniques suffer from interferences that are
likely to be present in workplaces of certain
industry sectors where formaldehyde is used.
OSHA’s Analytical Laboratory Method
Method No: 52
Matrix: Air
Target Concentration: 1 ppm (1.2 mg/m3)
Procedures: Air samples are collected by
drawing known volumes of air through
sampling tubes containing XAD–2 adsorbent which have been coated with 2(hydroxymethyl) piperidine. The samples
are desorbed with toluene and then analyzed by gas chromatography using a nitrogen selective detector.
Recommended Sampling Rate and Air Volumes:
0.1 L/min and 24 L
Reliable Quantitation Limit:16 ppb (20 µg/m3)
Standard Error of Estimate at the Target Concentration: 7.3%
Status of the Method: A sampling and analytical method that has been subjected to the
established evaluation procedures of the
Organic Methods Evaluation Branch.
Date: March 1985

1. General Discussion
1.1 Background: The current OSHA method for collecting acrolein vapor recommends
the use of activated 13X molecular sieves.
The samples must be stored in an ice bath
during and after sampling and also they
must be analyzed within 48 hours of collection. The current OSHA method for collecting formaldehyde vapor recommends the
use of bubblers containing 10% methanol in
water as the trapping solution.
This work was undertaken to resolve the
sample stability problems associated with
acrolein and also to eliminate the need to
use bubb1ers to sample formaldehyde. A goal
of this work was to develop and/or to evaluate a common sampling and analytical procedure for acrolein and formaldehyde.
NIOSH has developed independent methodologies for acrolein and formaldehyde
which recommend the use of reagent-coated
adsorbent tubes to collect the aldehydes as
stable derivatives. The formaldehyde sampling tubes contain Chromosorb 102 adsorbent coated with N-benzylethanolamine (BEA)
which reacts with formaldehyde vapor to
form a stable oxazolidine compound. The
acrolein sampling tubes contain XAD–2 adsorbent
coated
with
2(hydroxymethyl)piperidine (2–HMP) which
reacts with acrolein vapor to form a different, stable oxazolidine derivative. Acrolein does not appear to react with BEA to
give a suitable reaction product. Therefore,
the formaldehyde procedure cannot provide a
common method for both aldehydes. However, formaldehyde does react with 2–HMP to
form a very suitable reaction product. It is
the quantitative reaction of acrolein and
formaldehyde with 2–HMP that provides the
basis for this evaluation.
This sampling and analytical procedure is
very similar to the method recommended by
NIOSH for acrolein. Some changes in the
NIOSH methodology were necessary to permit the simultaneous determination of both
aldehydes and also to accommodate OSHA
laboratory equipment and analytical techniques.
1.2 Limit-defining parameters: The analyte
air concentrations reported in this method
are based on the recommended air volume
for each analyte collected separately and a
desorption volume of 1 mL. The amounts are
presented as acrolein and/or formaldehyde,
even though the derivatives are the actual
species analyzed.
1.2.1 Detection limits of the analytical procedure: The detection limit of the analytical
procedure was 386 pg per injection for formaldehyde. This was the amount of analyte
which gave a peak whose height was about
five times the height of the peak given by
the residual formaldehyde derivative in a
typical blank front section of the recommended sampling tube.

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
1.2.2 Detection limits of the overall procedure: The detection limits of the overall procedure were 482 ng per sample (16 ppb or 20
µg/m3 for formaldehyde). This was the
amount of analyte spiked on the sampling
device which allowed recoveries approximately equal to the detection limit of the
analytical procedure.
1.2.3 Reliable quantitation limits: The reliable quantitation limit was 482 ng per sample (16 ppb or 20 µg/m3) for formaldehyde.
These were the smallest amounts of analyte
which could be quantitated within the limits
of a recovery of at least 75% and a precision
(±1.96 SD) of ±25% or better.
llllllllllllllllllllllll
The reliable quantitation limit and detection limits reported in the method are based
upon optimization of the instrument for the
smallest possible amount of analyte. When
the target concentration of an analyte is exceptionally higher than these limits, they
may not be attainable at the routine operating parameters.
llllllllllllllllllllllll
1.2.4 Sensitivity: The sensitivity of the analytical procedure over concentration ranges
representing 0.4 to 2 times the target concentration, based on the recommended air
volumes, was 7,589 area units per µg/mL for
formaldehyde. This value was determined
from the slope of the calibration curve. The
sensitivity may vary with the particular instrument used in the analysis.
1.2.5 Recovery: The recovery of formaldehyde from samples used in an 18-day storage
test remained above 92% when the samples
were stored at ambient temperature. These
values were determined from regression lines
which were calculated from the storage data.
The recovery of the analyte from the collection device must be at least 75% following
storage.
1.2.6 Precision (analytical method only): The
pooled coefficient of variation obtained from
replicate determinations of analytical standards over the range of 0.4 to 2 times the target concentration was 0.0052 for formaldehyde (Section 4.3).
1.2.7 Precision (overall procedure): The precision at the 95% confidence level for the ambient temperature storage tests was ±14.3%
for formaldehyde. These values each include
an additional ±5% for sampling error. The
overall procedure must provide results at the
target concentrations that are ±25% at the
95% confidence level.
1.2.8 Reproducibility: Samples collected
from controlled test atmospheres and a draft
copy of this procedure were given to a chemist unassociated with this evaluation. The
formaldehyde samples were analyzed following 15 days storage. The average recovery
was 96.3% and the standard deviation was
1.7%.
1.3 Advantages:

§ 1910.1048

1.3.1 The sampling and analytical procedures permit the simultaneous determination of acrolein and formaldehyde.
1.3.2 Samples are stable following storage
at ambient temperature for at least 18 days.
1.4 Disadvantages: None.
2. Sampling Procedure
2.1 Apparatus:
2.1.1 Samples are collected by use of a
personal sampling pump that can be calibrated to within ±5% of the recommended 0.1
L/min sampling rate with the sampling tube
in line.
2.1.2 Samples are collected with laboratory prepared sampling tubes. The sampling
tube is constructed of silane treated glass
and is about 8-cm long. The ID is 4 mm and
the OD is 6 mm. One end of the tube is tapered so that a glass wool end plug will hold
the contents of the tube in place during sampling. The other end of the sampling tube is
open to its full 4-mm ID to facilitate packing
of the tube. Both ends of the tube are firepolished for safety. The tube is packed with
a 75-mg backup section, located nearest the
tapered end and a 150-mg sampling section of
pretreated XAD–2 adsorbent which has been
coated with 2–HMP. The two sections of
coated adsorbent are separated and retained
with small plugs of silanized glass wool. Following packing, the sampling tubes are
sealed with two 7⁄32 inch OD plastic end caps.
Instructions for the pretreatment and the
coating of XAD–2 adsorbent are presented in
Section 4 of this method.
2.1.3 Sampling tubes, similar to those recommended in this method, are marketed by
Supelco, Inc. These tubes were not available
when this work was initiated; therefore, they
were not evaluated.
2.2 Reagents: None required.
2.3 Technique:
2.3.1 Properly label the sampling tube before sampling and then remove the plastic
end caps.
2.3.2 Attach the sampling tube to the
pump using a section of flexible plastic tubing such that the large, front section of the
sampling tube is exposed directly to the atmosphere. Do not place any tubing ahead of
the sampling tube. The sampling tube should
be attached in the worker’s breathing zone
in a vertical manner such that it does not
impede work performance.
2.3.3 After sampling for the appropriate
time, remove the sampling tube from the
pump and then seal the tube with plastic end
caps.
2.3.4 Include at least one blank for each
sampling set. The blank should be handled in
the same manner as the samples with the exception that air is not drawn through it.
2.3.5 List any potential interferences on
the sample data sheet.
2.4 Breakthrough:

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

2.4.1 Breakthrough was defined as the relative amount of analyte found on a backup
sample in relation to the total amount of
analyte collected on the sampling train.
2.4.2 For formaldehyde collected from test
atmospheres containing 6 times the PEL, the
average 5% breakthrough air volume was 41
L. The sampling rate was 0.1 L/min and the
average mass of formaldehyde collected was
250 µg.
2.5 Desorption Efficiency: No desorption efficiency corrections are necessary to compute air sample results because analytical
standards are prepared using coated adsorbent. Desorption efficiencies were determined,
however, to investigate the recoveries of the
analytes from the sampling device. The average recovery over the range of 0.4 to 2 times
the target concentration, based on the recommended air volumes, was 96.2% for formaldehyde. Desorption efficiencies were essentially constant over the ranges studied.
2.6 Recommended Air Volume and Sampling
Rate:
2.6.1 The recommended air volume for
formaldehyde is 24 L.
2.6.2 The recommended sampling rate is
0.1 L/min.
2.7 Interferences:
2.7.1 Any collected substance that is capable of reacting 2-HMP and thereby depleting
the derivatizing agent is a potential interference. Chemicals which contain a carbonyl
group, such as acetone, may be capable or reacting with 2-HMP.
2.7.2 There are no other known interferences to the sampling method.
2.8 Safety Precautions:
2.8.1 Attach the sampling equipment to
the worker in such a manner that it well not
interfere with work performance or safety.
2.8.2 Follow all safety practices that
apply to the work area being sampled.
3. Analytical Procedure
3.1 Apparatus:
3.1.1 A gas chromatograph (GC), equipped
with a nitrogen selective detector. A Hewlett-Packard Model 5840A GC fitted with a
nitrogen-phosphorus flame ionization detector (NPD) was used for this evaluation. Injections were performed using a HewlettPackard Model 7671A automatic sampler.
3.1.2 A GC column capable of resolving
the analytes from any interference. A 6 ft ×
1⁄4 in OD (2mm ID) glass GC column containing 10% UCON 50–HB–5100 + 2% KOH on
80/100 mesh Chromosorb W-AW was used for
the evaluation. Injections were performed
on-column.
3.1.3 Vials, glass 2-mL with Teflon-lined
caps.
3.1.4 Volumetric flasks, pipets, and syringes for preparing standards, making dilutions, and performing injections.
3.2 Reagents:

3.2.1 Toluene and dimethylformamide.
Burdick and Jackson solvents were used in
this evaluation.
3.2.2 Helium, hydrogen, and air, GC grade.
3.2.3 Formaldehyde, 37%, by weight, in
water. Aldrich Chemical, ACS Reagent Grade
formaldehyde was used in this evaluation.
3.2.4 Amberlite XAD–2 adsorbent coated
with 2-(hydroxymethyl—piperidine (2-HMP),
10% by weight (Section 4).
3.2.5 Desorbing solution with internal
standard. This solution was prepared by adding 20 µL of dimethylformamide to 100 mL of
toluene.
3.3 Standard preparation:
3.3.1 Formaldehyde: Prepare stock standards by diluting known volumes of 37% formaldehyde solution with methanol. A procedure to determine the formaldehyde content
of these standards is presented in Section 4.
A standard containing 7.7 mg/mL formaldehyde was prepared by diluting 1 mL of the
37% reagent to 50 mL with methanol.
3.3.2 It is recommended that analytical
standards be prepared about 16 hours before
the air samples are to be analyzed in order to
ensure the complete reaction of the analytes
with 2–HMP. However, rate studies have
shown the reaction to be greater than 95%
complete after 4 hours. Therefore, one or two
standards can be analyzed after this reduced
time if sample results are outside the concentration range of the prepared standards.
3.3.3 Place 150-mg portions of coated
XAD–2 adsorbent, from the same lot number
as used to collect the air samples, into each
of several glass 2-mL vials. Seal each vial
with a Teflon-lined cap.
3.3.4 Prepare fresh analytical standards
each day by injecting appropriate amounts
of the diluted analyte directly onto 150-mg
portions of coated adsorbent. It is permissible to inject both acrolein and formaldehyde on the same adsorbent portion. Allow
the standards to stand at room temperature.
A standard, approximately the target levels,
was prepared by injecting 11 µL of the acrolein and 12 µL of the formaldehyde stock
standards onto a single coated XAD–2 adsorbent portion.
3.3.5 Prepare a sufficient number of standards to generate the calibration curves. Analytical standard concentrations should
bracket sample concentrations. Thus, if samples are not in the concentration range of
the prepared standards, additional standards
must be prepared to determine detector response.
3.3.7 Desorb the standards in the same
manner as the samples following the 16-hour
reaction time.
3.4 Sample preparation:
3.4.1 Transfer the 150-mg section of the
sampling tube to a 2-mL vial. Place the 75mg section in a separate vial. If the glass
wool plugs contain a significant number of

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
adsorbent beads, place them with the appropriate sampling tube section. Discard the
glass wool plugs if they do not contain a significant number of adsorbent beads.
3.4.2 Add 1 mL of desorbing solution to
each vial.
3.4.3 Seal the vials with Teflon-lined caps
and then allow them to desorb for one hour.
Shake the vials by hand with vigorous force
several times during the desorption time.
3.4.4 Save the used sampling tubes to be
cleaned and recycled.
3.5 Analysis:
3.5.1 GC Conditions
Column Temperature:
Bi-level temperature program—First level:
100 to 140 °C at 4 °C/min following completion of the first level.
Second level: 140 to 180 °C at 20 °C/min following completion of the first level.
Isothermal period: Hold column at 180 °C
until the recorder pen returns to baseline
(usually about 25 min after injection).
Injector temperature: 180 °C
Helium flow rate: 30 mL/min (detector response will be reduced if nitrogen is substituted for helium carrier gas).
Injection volume: 0.8 µL
GC column: Six-ft × 1⁄4-in OD (2 mm ID) glass
GC column containing 10% UCON 50–HB–
5100+2% KOH on 80/100 Chromosorb W-AW.
NPD conditions:
Hydrogen flow rate: 3 mL/min
Air flow rate: 50 mL/min
Detector temperature: 275 °C
3.5.2 Chromatogram: For an example of a
typical chromatogram, see Figure 4.11 in
OSHA Method 52.
3.5.3 Use a suitable method, such as electronic integration, to measure detector response.
3.5.4 Use an internal standard method to
prepare the calibration curve with several
standard solutions of different concentrations. Prepare the calibration curve daily.
Program the integrator to report results in
µg/mL.
3.5.5 Bracket sample concentrations with
standards.
3.6 Interferences (Analytical)
3.6.1 Any compound with the same general retention time as the analytes and
which also gives a detector response is a potential interference. Possible interferences
should be reported to the laboratory with
submitted samples by the industrial hygienist.
3.6.2 GC parameters (temperature, column, etc.) may be changed to circumvent
interferences.
3.6.3 A useful means of structure designation is GC/MS. It is recommended this procedure be used to confirm samples whenever
possible.
3.6.4 The coated adsorbent usually contains a very small amount of residual formaldehyde derivative (Section 4.8).

§ 1910.1048

3.7 Calculations:
3.7.1 Results are obtained by use of calibration curves. Calibration curves are prepared by plotting detector response against
concentration for each standard. The best
line through the data points is determined
by curve fitting.
3.7.2 The concentration, in µg/mL, for a
particular sample is determined by comparing its detector response to the calibration curve. If either of the analytes is found
on the backup section, it is added to the
amount found on the front section. Blank
corrections should be performed before adding the results together.
3.7.3 The acrolein and/or formaldehyde air
concentration can be expressed using the following equation:
mg/m3=(A)(B)/C
where A=µg/mL from 3.7.2, B=desorption volume, and C=L of air sampled.
No desorption efficiency corrections are required.
3.7.4 The following equation can be used
to convert results in mg/m3 to ppm.
ppm=(mg/m3)(24.45)/MW
where mg/m3=result from 3.7.3, 24.45=molar
volume of an ideal gas at 760 mm Hg and 25
°C, MW=molecular weight (30.0).
4. Backup Data
4.1 Backup data on detection limits, reliable quantitation limits, sensitivity and precision of the analytical method, breakthrough, desorption efficiency, storage, reproducibility,
and
generation
of
test
atmospheres are available in OSHA Method
52, developed by the Organics Methods Evaluation Branch, OSHA Analytical Laboratory, Salt Lake City, Utah.
4.2 Procedure to Coat XAD–2 Adsorbent with
2–HMP:
4.2.1 Apparatus: Soxhlet extraction apparatus, rotary evaporation apparatus, vacuum
dessicator, 1–L vacuum flask, 1–L round-bottomed evaporative flask, 1–L Erlenmeyer
flask, 250-mL Buchner funnel with a coarse
fritted disc, etc.
4.2.2 Reagents:
4.2.2.1 Methanol, isooctane, and toluene.
4.2.2.2 2-(Hydroxymethyl)piperidine.
4.2.2.3 Amberlite XAD–2 non-ionic polymeric adsorbent, 20 to 60 mesh, Aldrich
Chemical XAD–2 was used in this evaluation.
4.2.3 Procedure: Weigh 125 g of crude XAD–
2 adsorbent into a 1–L Erlenmeyer flask. Add
about 200 mL of water to the flask and then
swirl the mixture to wash the adsorbent.
Discard any adsorbent that floats to the top
of the water and then filter the mixture
using a fritted Buchner funnel. Air dry the
adsorbent for 2 minutes. Transfer the adsorbent back to the Erlenmeyer flask and then
add about 200 mL of methanol to the flask.
Swirl and then filter the mixture as before.

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

Transfer the washed adsorbent back to the
Erlenmeyer flask and then add about 200 mL
of methanol to the flask. Swirl and then filter the mixture as before. Transfer the
washed adsorbent to a 1–L round-bottomed
evaporative flask, add 13 g of 2–HMP and
then 200 mL of methanol, swirl the mixture
and then allow it to stand for one hour. Remove the methanol at about 40 °C and reduced pressure using a rotary evaporation
apparatus. Transfer the coated adsorbent to
a suitable container and store it in a vacuum
desiccator at room temperature overnight.
Transfer the coated adsorbent to a Soxhlet
extractor and then extract the material with
toluene for about 24 hours. Discard the contaminated toluene, add methanol in its place
and then continue the Soxhlet extraction for
an additional 4 hours. Transfer the adsorbent
to a weighted 1–L round-bottom evaporative
flask and remove the methanol using the rotary evaporation apparatus. Determine the
weight of the adsorbent and then add an
amount of 2-HMP, which is 10% by weight of
the adsorbent. Add 200 mL of methanol and
then swirl the mixture. Allow the mixture to
stand for one hour. Remove the methanol by
rotary evaporation. Transfer the coated adsorbent to a suitable container and store it
in a vacuum desiccator until all traces of
solvents are gone. Typically, this will take
2–3 days. The coated adsorbent should be protected from contamination. XAD–2 adsorbent
treated in this manner will probably not contain residual acrolein derivative. However,
this adsorbent will often contain residual

Formaldehyde, mg/mL =

formaldehyde derivative levels of about 0.1
µg per 150 mg of adsorbent. If the blank values for a batch of coated adsorbent are too
high, then the batch should be returned to
the Soxhlet extractor, extracted with toluene again and then recoated. This process
can be repeated until the desired blank levels are attained.
The coated adsorbent is now ready to be
packed into sampling tubes. The sampling
tubes should be stored in a sealed container
to prevent contamination. Sampling tubes
should be stored in the dark at room temperature. The sampling tubes should be segregated by coated adsorbent lot number. A
sufficient amount of each lot number of
coated adsorbent should be retained to prepare analytical standards for use with air
samples from that lot number.
4.3 A Procedure to Determine Formaldehyde
by Acid Titration: Standardize the 0.1 N HCl
solution using sodium carbonate and methyl
orange indicator.
Place 50 mL of 0.1 M sodium sulfite and
three drops of thymophthalein indicator into
a 250-mL Erlenmeyer flask. Titrate the contents of the flask to a colorless endpoint
with 0.1 N HCl (usually one or two drops is
sufficient). Transfer 10 mL of the formaldehyde/methanol solution (prepared in 3.3.1)
into the same flask and titrate the mixture
with 0.1 N HCl, again, to a colorless endpoint. The formaldehyde concentration of
the standard may be calculated by the following equation:

acid titer × acid normality × 30.0
mL of sample

This method is based on the quantitative
liberation of sodium hydroxide when formaldehyde reacts with sodium sulfite to form
the formaldehyde-bisulfite addition product.
The volume of sample may be varied depending on the formaldehyde content but the solution to be titrated must contain excess sodium sulfite. Formaldehyde solutions containing substantial amounts of acid or base
must be neutralized before analysis.
APPENDIX C TO § 1910.1048—MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE—FORMALDEHYDE
I. Health Hazards
The occupational health hazards of formaldehyde are primarily due to its toxic effects after inhalation, after direct contact
with the skin or eyes by formaldehyde in liquid or vapor form, and after ingestion.

II. Toxicology
A. Acute Effects of Exposure
1. Inhalation (breathing): Formaldehyde is
highly irritating to the upper airways. The
concentration of formaldehyde that is immediately dangerous to life and health is 100
ppm. Concentrations above 50 ppm can cause
severe pulmonary reactions within minutes.
These include pulmonary edema, pneumonia,
and bronchial irritation which can result in
death. Concentrations above 5 ppm readily
cause lower airway irritation characterized
by cough, chest tightness and wheezing.
There is some controversy regarding whether
formaldehyde gas is a pulmonary sensitizer
which can cause occupational asthma in a
previously normal individual. Formaldehyde
can produce symptoms of bronchial asthma
in humans. The mechanism may be either
sensitization of the individual by exposure to

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
formaldehyde or direct irritation by formaldehyde in persons with pre-existing asthma. Upper airway irritation is the most common respiratory effect reported by workers
and can occur over a wide range of concentrations, most frequently above 1 ppm.
However, airway irritation has occurred in
some workers with exposures to formaldehyde as low as 0.1 ppm. Symptoms of upper
airway irritation include dry or sore throat,
itching and burning sensations of the nose,
and nasal congestion. Tolerance to this level
of exposure may develop within 1–2 hours.
This tolerance can permit workers remaining in an environment of gradually increasing formaldehyde concentrations to be unaware of their increasingly hazardous exposure.
2. Eye contact: Concentrations of formaldehyde between 0.05 ppm and 0.5 ppm produce a
sensation of irritation in the eyes with burning, itching, redness, and tearing. Increased
rate of blinking and eye closure generally
protects the eye from damage at these low
levels, but these protective mechanisms may
interfere with some workers’ work abilities.
Tolerance can occur in workers continuously
exposed to concentrations of formaldehyde
in this range. Accidental splash injuries of
human eyes to aqueous solutions of formaldehyde (formalin) have resulted in a wide
range of ocular injuries including corneal
opacities and blindness. The severity of the
reactions have been directly dependent on
the concentration of formaldehyde in solution and the amount of time lapsed before
emergency and medical intervention.
3. Skin contact: Exposure to formaldehyde
solutions can cause irritation of the skin and
allergic contact dermatitis. These skin diseases and disorders can occur at levels well
below those encountered by many formaldehyde workers. Symptoms include erythema,
edema, and vesiculation or hives. Exposure
to liquid formalin or formaldehyde vapor can
provoke skin reactions in sensitized individuals even when airborne concentrations of
formaldehyde are well below 1 ppm.
4. Ingestion: Ingestion of as little as 30 ml
of a 37 percent solution of formaldehyde (formalin) can result in death. Gastrointestinal
toxicity after ingestion is most severe in the
stomach and results in symptoms which can
include nausea, vomiting, and servere abdominal pain. Diverse damage to other organ
systems including the liver, kidney, spleen,
pancreas, brain, and central nervous systems
can occur from the acute response to ingestion of formaldehyde.
B. Chronic Effects of Exposure
Long term exposure to formaldehyde has
been shown to be associated with an increased risk of cancer of the nose and accessory
sinuses,
nasopharyngeal
and
oropharyngeal cancer, and lung cancer in humans. Animal experiments provide conclu-

§ 1910.1048

sive evidence of a causal relationship between nasal cancer in rats and formaldehyde
exposure. Concordant evidence of carcinogenicity includes DNA binding, genotoxicity
in short-term tests, and cytotoxic changes in
the cells of the target organ suggesting both
preneoplastic changes and a dose-rate effect.
Formaldehyde is a complete carcinogen and
appears to exert an effect on at least two
stages of the carcinogenic process.
III. Surveillance considerations
A. History
1. Medical and occupational history: Along
with its acute irritative effects, formaldehyde can cause allergic sensitization and
cancer. One of the goals of the work history
should be to elicit information on any prior
or additional exposure to formaldehyde in either the occupational or the non-occupational setting.
2. Respiratory history: As noted above, formaldehyde has recognized properties as an airway irritant and has been reported by some
authors as a cause of occupational asthma.
In addition, formaldehyde has been associated with cancer of the entire respiratory
system of humans. For these reasons, it is
appropriate to include a comprehensive review of the respiratory system in the medical history. Components of this history
might include questions regarding dyspnea
on exertion, shortness of breath, chronic airway complaints, hyperreactive airway disease, rhinitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, asthma, emphysema, respiratory allergic reaction, or other preexisting pulmonary disease.
In addition, generalized airway hypersensitivity can result from exposures to a
single sensitizing agent. The examiner
should, therefore, elicit any prior history of
exposure to pulmonary irritants, and any
short- or long-term effects of that exposure.
Smoking is known to decrease mucociliary
clearance of materials deposited during respiration in the nose and upper airways. This
may increase a worker’s exposure to inhaled
materials such as formaldehyde vapor. In addition, smoking is a potential confounding
factor in the investigation of any chronic
respiratory disease, including cancer. For
these reasons, a complete smoking history
should be obtained.
3. Skin Disorders: Because of the dermal irritant and sensitizing effects of formaldehyde, a history of skin disorders should be
obtained. Such a history might include the
existence of skin irritation, previously documented skin sensitivity, and other dermatologic disorders. Previous exposure to formaldehyde and other dermal sensitizers should
be recorded.
4. History of atopic or allergic diseases: Since
formaldehyde can cause allergic sensitization of the skin and airways, it might be useful to identify individuals with prior allergen

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

sensitization. A history of atopic disease and
allergies to formaldehyde or any other substances should also be obtained. It is not
definitely known at this time whether atopic
diseases and allergies to formaldehyde or
any other substances should also be obtained. Also it is not definitely known at
this time whether atopic individuals have a
greater propensity to develop formaldehyde
sensitivity than the general population, but
identification of these individuals may be
useful for ongoing surveillance.
5. Use of disease questionnaires: Comparison
of the results from previous years with
present results provides the best method for
detecting a general deterioration in health
when toxic signs and symptoms are measured subjectively. In this way recall bias
does not affect the results of the analysis.
Consequently, OSHA has determined that
the findings of the medical and work histories should be kept in a standardized form
for comparison of the year-to-year results.
B. Physical Examination
1. Mucosa of eyes and airways: Because of
the irritant effects of formaldehyde, the examining physician should be alert to evidence of this irritation. A speculum examination of the nasal mucosa may be helpful
in assessing possible irritation and cytotoxic
changes, as may be indirect inspection of the
posterior pharynx by mirror.
2. Pulmonary system: A conventional respiratory examination, including inspection
of the thorax and auscultation and percussion of the lung fields should be performed as
part of the periodic medical examination. Although routine pulmonary function testing
is only required by the standard once every
year for persons who are exposed over the
TWA concentration limit, these tests have
an obvious value in investigating possible
respiratory dysfunction and should be used
wherever deemed appropriate by the physician. In cases of alleged formaldehyde-induced airway disease, other possible causes
of pulmonary disfunction (including exposures to other substances) should be ruled
out. A chest radiograph may be useful in
these circumstances. In cases of suspected
airway hypersensitivity or allergy, it may be
appropriate to use bronchial challenge testing with formaldehyde or methacholine to
determine the nature of the disorder. Such
testing should be performed by or under the
supervision of a physician experienced in the
procedures involved.
3. Skin: The physician should be alert to
evidence of dermal irritation of sensitization, including reddening and inflammation,
urticaria, blistering, scaling, formation of
skin fissures, or other symptoms. Since the
integrity of the skin barrier is compromised
by other dermal diseases, the presence of
such disease should be noted. Skin sensitivity testing carries with it some risk of in-

ducing sensitivity, and therefore, skin testing for formaldehyde sensitivity should not
be used as a routine screening test. Sensitivity testing may be indicated in the investigation of a suspected existing sensitivity.
Guidelines for such testing have been prepared by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group.
C. Additional Examinations or Tests
The physician may deem it necessary to
perform other medical examinations or tests
as indicated. The standard provides a mechanism whereby these additional investigations are covered under the standard for occupational exposure to formaldehyde.
D. Emergencies
The examination of workers exposed in an
emergency should be directed at the organ
systems most likely to be affected. Much of
the content of the examination will be similar to the periodic examination unless the
patient has received a severe acute exposure
requiring immediate attention to prevent serious consequences. If a severe overexposure
requiring medical intervention or hospitalization has occurred, the physician
must be alert to the possibility of delayed
symptoms. Followup nonroutine examinations may be necessary to assure the patient’s well-being.
E. Employer Obligations
The employer is required to provide the
physician with the following information: A
copy of this standard and appendices A, C, D,
and E; a description of the affected employee’s duties as they relate to his or her exposure concentration; an estimate of the employee’s exposure including duration (e.g. 15
hr/wk, three 8-hour shifts, full-time); a description of any personal protective equipment, including respirators, used by the employee; and the results of any previous medical determinations for the affected employee related to formaldehyde exposure to
the extent that this information is within
the employer’s control.
F. Physician’s Obligations
The standard requires the employer to obtain a written statement from the physician.
This statement must contain the physician’s
opinion as to whether the employee has any
medical condition which would place him or
her at increased risk of impaired health from
exposure to formaldehyde or use of respirators, as appropriate. The physician must
also state his opinion regarding any restrictions that should be placed on the employee’s exposure to formaldehyde or upon the
use of protective clothing or equipment such
as respirators. If the employee wears a respirator as a result of his or her exposure to
formaldehyde, the physician’s opinion must

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
also contain a statement regarding the suitability of the employee to wear the type of
respirator assigned. Finally, the physician
must inform the employer that the employee
has been told the results of the medical examination and of any medical conditions
which require further explanation or treatment. This written opinion is not to contain
any information on specific findings or diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure to
formaldehyde.
The purpose in requiring the examining
physician to supply the employer with a
written opinion is to provide the employer
with a medical basis to assist the employer
in placing employees initially, in assuring
that their health is not being inpaired by
formaldehyde, and to assess the employee’s
ability to use any required protective equipment.

§ 1910.1048

6. Have you ever been told that you have emphysema, bronchitis, or any other respiratory problems?
Yes b No b
7. Have you ever been told you had hepatitis?
Yes b No b
8. Have you ever been told that you had cirrhosis?
Yes b No b
9. Have you ever been told that you had cancer?
Yes b No b
10. Have you ever had arthritis or joint pain?
Yes b No b
11. Have you ever been told that you had
high blood pressure?
Yes b No b
12. Have you ever had a heart attack or heart
trouble?
Yes b No b
B–1. Medical History Update

APPENDIX D TO § 1910.1048—NONMANDATORY
MEDICAL DISEASE QUESTIONNAIRE
A. Identification
Plant Name lllllllllllllllll
Date lllllllllllllllllllll
Employee Name lllllllllllllll
S.S. # llllllllllllllllllll
Job Title llllllllllllllllll
Birthdate: llllllllllllllllll
Age: lllllllllllllllllllll
Sex: lllllllllllllllllllll
Height: lllllllllllllllllll
Weight: lllllllllllllllllll
B. Medical History
1. Have you ever been in the hospital as a patient?
Yes b No b
If yes, what kind of problem were you having? llllllllllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
2. Have you ever had any kind of operation?
Yes b No b
If yes, what kind? llllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
3. Do you take any kind of medicine regularly?
Yes b No b
If yes, what kind? llllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
4. Are you allergic to any drugs, foods, or
chemicals?
Yes b No b
If yes, what kind of allergy is it? llllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
What causes the allergy? llllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
5. Have you ever been told that you have
asthma, hayfever, or sinusitis?
Yes b No b

1. Have you been in the hospital as a patient
any time within the past year?
Yes b No b
If so, for what condition? llllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
2. Have you been under the care of a physician during the past year?
Yes b No b
If so, for what condition? llllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
3. Is there any change in your breathing
since last year?
Yes b No b
Better? lllllllllllllllllll
Worse?
lllllllllllllllllll
No change? lllllllllllllllll
If change, do you know why? llllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
4. Is your general health different this year
from last year?
Yes b No b
If different, in what way? llllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
5. Have you in the past year or are you now
taking any medication on a regular
basis?
Yes b No b
Name Rx
llllllllllllllllll
Condition being treated lllllllllll
C. Occupational History
1. How long have you worked for your
present employer?
llllllllllllllllllllllll
2. What jobs have you held with this employer? Include job title and length of
time in each job.
llllllllllllllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
3. In each of these jobs, how many hours a
day were you exposed to chemicals?
llllllllllllllllllllllll

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§ 1910.1048

29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–06 Edition)

4. What chemicals have you worked with
most of the time?
llllllllllllllllllllllll
5. Have you ever noticed any type of skin
rash you feel was related to your work?
Yes b No b
6. Have you ever noticed that any kind of
chemical makes you cough?
Yes b No b
Wheeze?
Yes b No b
Become short of breath or cause your chest
to become tight?
Yes b No b
7. Are you exposed to any dust or chemicals
at home?
Yes b No b
If yes, explain:
lllllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
8. In other jobs, have you ever had exposure
to:
Wood dust?
Yes b No b
Nickel or chromium?
Yes b No b
Silica (foundry, sand blasting)?
Yes b No b
Arsenic or asbestos?
Yes b No b
Organic solvents?
Yes b No b
Urethane foams?
Yes b No b
C–1. Occupational History Update
1. Are you working on the same job this year
as you were last year?
Yes b No b
If not, how has your job changed?
lllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
2. What chemicals are you exposed to on
your job?
llllllllllllllllllllllll
3. How many hours a day are you exposed to
chemicals?
llllllllllllllllllllllll
4. Have you noticed any skin rash within the
past year you feel was related to your
work?
Yes b No b
If so, explain circumstances: llllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
5. Have you noticed that any chemical
makes you cough, be short of breath, or
wheeze?
Yes b No b
If so, can you identify it? llllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
D. Miscellaneous
1. Do you smoke?
Yes b No b
If so, how much and for how long? lllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
Pipe lllllllllllllllllllll
Cigars llllllllllllllllllll

Cigarettes llllllllllllllllll
2. Do you drink alcohol in any form?
Yes b No b
If so, how much, how long, and how often?
llllllllllllllllllllllll
3. Do you wear glasses or contact lenses?
Yes b No b
4. Do you get any physical exercise other
than that required to do your job?
Yes b No b
If so, explain: llllllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
5. Do you have any hobbies or ‘‘side jobs’’
that require you to use chemicals, such
as furniture stripping, sand blasting, insulation or manufacture of urethane
foam, furniture, etc?
Yes b No b
If so, please describe, giving type of business
or hobby, chemicals used and length of exposures.
llllllllllllllllllllllll
E. Symptoms Questionnaire
1. Do you ever have any shortness of breath?
Yes b No b
If yes, do you have to rest after climbing several flights of stairs?
Yes b No b
If yes, if you walk on the level with people
your own age, do you walk slower than
they do?
Yes b No b
If yes, if you walk slower than a normal
pace, do you have to limit the distance
that you walk?
Yes b No b
If yes, do you have to stop and rest while
bathing or dressing?
Yes b No b
2. Do you cough as much as three months out
of the year?
Yes b No b
If yes, have you had this cough for more than
two years?
Yes b No b
If yes, do you ever cough anything up from
chest?
Yes b No b
3. Do you ever have a feeling of smothering,
unable to take a deep breath, or tightness in your chest?
Yes b No b
If yes, do you notice that this on any particular day of the week?
Yes b No b
If yes, what day or the week?
Yes b No b
If yes, do you notice that this occurs at any
particular place?
Yes b No b
If yes, do you notice that this is worse after
you have returned to work after being off
for several days?
Yes b No b
4. Have you ever noticed any wheezing in
your chest?

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Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
Yes b No b
If yes, is this only with colds or other infections?
Yes b No b
Is this caused by exposure to any kind of
dust or other material?
Yes b No b
If yes, what kind? llllllllllllll
5. Have you noticed any burning, tearing, or
redness of your eyes when you are at
work?
Yes b No b
If so, explain circumstances: llllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
6. Have you noticed any sore or burning
throat or itchy or burning nose when you
are at work?
Yes b No b
If so, explain circumstances: llllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
7. Have you noticed any stuffiness or dryness
of your nose?
Yes b No b
8. Do you ever have swelling of the eyelids or
face?
Yes b No b
9. Have you ever been jaundiced?
Yes b No b
If yes, was this accompanied by any pain?
Yes b No b
10. Have you ever had a tendency to bruise
easily or bleed excessively?
Yes b No b
11. Do you have frequent headaches that are
not relieved by aspirin or tylenol?
Yes b No b
If yes, do they occur at any particular time
of the day or week?
Yes b No b
If yes, when do they occur? lllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
12. Do you have frequent episodes of nervousness or irritability?
Yes b No b
13. Do you tend to have trouble concentrating or remembering?
Yes b No b
14. Do you ever feel dizzy, light-headed, excessively drowsy or like you have been
drugged?
Yes b No b
15. Does your vision ever become blurred?
Yes b No b
16. Do you have numbness or tingling of the
hands or feet or other parts of your body?
Yes b No b
17. Have you ever had chronic weakness or
fatigue?
Yes b No b
18. Have you ever had any swelling of your
feet or ankles to the point where you
could not wear your shoes?
Yes b No b
19. Are you bothered by heartburn or indigestion?
Yes b No b

§ 1910.1050

20. Do you ever have itching, dryness, or
peeling and scaling of the hands?
Yes b No b
21. Do you ever have a burning sensation in
the hands, or reddening of the skin?
Yes b No b
22. Do you ever have cracking or bleeding of
the skin on your hands?
Yes b No b
23. Are you under a physician’s care?
Yes b No b
If yes, for what are you being treated? lll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
24. Do you have any physical complaints
today?
Yes b No b
If yes, explain? lllllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
25. Do you have other health conditions not
covered by these questions?
Yes b No b
If yes, explain:
lllllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllllll
[57 FR 22310, May 27, 1992; 57 FR 27161, June
18, 1992; 61 FR 5508, Feb. 13, 1996; 63 FR 1292,
Jan. 8, 1998; 63 FR 20099, Apr. 23, 1998; 70 FR
1143, Jan. 5, 2005; 71 FR 16672, 16673, Apr. 3,
2006]

§ 1910.1050 Methylenedianiline.
(a) Scope and application. (1) This section applies to all occupational exposures to MDA, Chemical Abstracts
Service Registry No. 101–77–9, except as
provided in paragraphs (a)(2) through
(a)(7) of this section.
(2) Except as provided in paragraphs
(a)(8) and (e)(5) of this section, this section does not apply to the processing,
use, and handling of products containing MDA where initial monitoring
indicates that the product is not capable of releasing MDA in excess of the
action level under the expected conditions of processing, use, and handling
which will cause the greatest possible
release; and where no ‘‘dermal exposure
to MDA’’ can occur.
(3) Except as provided in paragraph
(a)(8) of this section, this section does
not apply to the processing, use, and
handling of products containing MDA
where objective data are reasonably relied upon which demonstrate the product is not capable of releasing MDA
under the expected conditions of processing, use, and handling which will
cause the greatest possible release; and
where no ‘‘dermal exposure to MDA’’
can occur.
(4) This section does not apply to the
storage, transportation, distribution or

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