Formaldehyde – CH2O

Here formaldehyde – methyl aldehyde ,  methanol or  formalin  – ( CH2O )  also known as –  you can find basic information about: properties, health effects, detection devices and systems ( CH2O gas detector ) and appropriate respiratory protective equipment (gas mask or full PAPR with B-P3 combined filter).

Formaldehyde (CH2O) properties

Formaldehyde ( CH2O ) – methyl aldehyde , methanol or formalin also known as – naturally found in incomplete combustion with carbon (forest fires, thermal engines, tobacco smoke…). This gas is used in many applications such as agriculture (pesticide), wood industry (plywood panels), building construction (insulation panels, paints, adhesives), food industry (food preservation) or pharmaceutical industry (disinfectant).

  • CAS
  • 50-00-0
  • TWA (8 hours)
  • 0,5 ppm
  • STEL (15 minutes)
  • 1 ppm
  • LEL
  • 7,0 %
  • IP
  • 10.88 eV
  • DENSITY/AIR
  • 1.04
  • FILTER/SCBA
  • B-P3

Health effects of formaldehyde

Formaldehyde ( CH2O ), sharp And stifling It is a colorless gas with an odor. This gas is very toxic if inhaled (R23), in contact with skin (R24) or if swallowed (R25). to burns (R34) may cause. This gas has explosive limits between 7% and 73% by volume. is flammable and explosive . May form explosive mixtures or increase the explosive potential of other mixtures. IARC* on the explosiveness of formaldehyde vapor carcinogenic effects It revealed that there is a connection between (R40).

*IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO is affiliated with the World Health Organization)

Formaldehyde detector – CH2O

Despite its pungent and suffocating odor, it is only a formaldehyde detector can accurately measure concentrations of this highly toxic gas. A portable or fixed ppm or ppb formaldehyde gas detection device or system is recommended .

CH2O respiratory protection – Formaldehyde breathing mask

Since CH20 is irritating to the eyes, for short interventions a formaldehyde respirator, such as a full face mask, or With combination filter B-P3 equipped with a much more comfortable powered air purifying respirator It is recommended to use . If concentrations exceed 60 times the OEL, a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is required.