FORMALDEHYDE PRECAUTIONS

• Formaldehyde is toxic and the exposure limit is 2ppm for 10 minutes in every 8 hours. If you are affected by the vapour in any way e.g. eyes watering, leave the area immediately.
  

• Containers containing formaldehyde solutions should only be opened in a designated ventillated area. Goggles , gloves, and an apron should be worn over laboratory coat.

• Gloves, goggles and apron must be worn over laboratory coat when making up formol saline or changing the formalin on specimens. This procedure should be performed in a designated ventillated area.
  

• Any spillages must be cleaned up immediately (see COSHH protocols)
  

NOTE: No responsibility is assumed by The University of Nottingham or the Queens Medical Centre NHS Trust for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein. It is the users responsibilty to ensure that all procedures are carried out according to appropriate Health and Safety requirements.

---

© Copyright 1997 University of Nottingham Medical School Division of Histopathology. This page was last built on Mon, May 5, 1997 with Frontier. Thanks for looking in. Comments to James.Lowe@nottingham.ac.uk