Get the app in the App Store and on Google Play!

PARAFORMALDEHYDE

4.1 - Flammable solid
Add to MyChemicals

The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 30525-89-4
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Flammable Solid
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
2
3 1
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 2 Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 1 Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A white solid with a light pungent odor. A linear polymer of formaldehyde of formula HO(CH2-O)xH where x averages about 30. Soluble in water when x is less than 12; higher polymers are not immediately soluble. Slow dissolution in water proceeds by means of hydrolysis to give fragments of lower x. Flammable, although may take some effort to ignite. Flash point 158°F. Used in fungicides, bactericides, and in the manufacture of adhesives. A hazard to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment.

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Flammable. Forms aqueous solution of formaldehyde, often quite slowly.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Changes to formaldehyde gas, which is highly flammable. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Vapor or dust irritates eyes, mucous membranes, and skin; may cause dermatitis. Ingestion of solid or of a solution in water irritates mouth, throat, and stomach and may cause death. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
PARAFORMALDEHYDE may react violently with strong oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide, performic acid, perchloric acid in the presence of aniline, potassium permanganate, nitromethane). May react with bases (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonia), and with nitrogen dioxide (explosive reaction around 180°C). Reacts with hydrochloric acid to form highly toxic bis(chloromethyl) ether. Polymerization reaction with phenol may develop sudden destructive pressure [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p.168]. May generate flammable and/or toxic gases in combination with azo, diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. Generates toxic formaldehyde gas when heated. Can react with air to give first peroxo acids, and ultimately formic acid. These reactions are activated by light, catalyzed by salts of transition metals, and are autocatalytic (catalyzed by the products of the reaction). Incompatible with liquid oxygen.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbent listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...

  • Cellulose-Based Absorbents

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 133 [Flammable Solids]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 133 [Flammable Solids]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, sand, earth, water spray or regular foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING METAL PIGMENTS OR PASTES (E.G. "ALUMINUM PASTE"): Aluminum Paste fires should be treated as a combustible metal fire. Use DRY sand, graphite powder, dry sodium chloride-based extinguishers or class D extinguishers. Also, see ERG Guide 170.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 133 [Flammable Solids]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

SMALL DRY SPILL: With clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.

LARGE SPILL: Wet down with water and dike for later disposal. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Goggles or face shield; protective clothing. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
INGESTION: give milk or white of egg beaten with water; call a doctor.

SKIN OR EYES: rinse with copious amounts of water. (USCG, 1999)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • HO(CH2 O)xH
Flash Point: 160°F (approx.) (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 7 % (formaldehyde gas) (USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 73 % (formaldehyde gas) (USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature: 572°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: 342°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.46 at 59°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: 600 (approx.) (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Paraformaldehyde (30525-89-4) 0.45 mg/m3 5 mg/m3 30 mg/m3 LEL = 70000 ppm
(DOE, 2024)

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Paraformaldehyde 30525-89-4 1000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2024)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • ALDACIDE
  • FLO-MOR
  • FORMALDEHYDE POLYMER
  • PARAFORM
  • PARAFORMALDEHYDE
  • POLYFORMALDEHYDE
  • POLYOXYMETHYLENE
  • POLYOXYMETHYLENE GLYCOL

Contact Us | Website Satisfaction Surveyexternal_link

Version 3.1.0 rev 1