Formaldehyde Awareness

7 Formaldehyde Awareness B. Why Should You Be Concerned? Iowa State University (ISU) is committed to providing a safe and healthful work environment for its employees. If there is the potential for exposure to formaldehyde, it is important that you understand its hazardous properties and be able to identify necessary steps to prevent exposure. By reviewing the contents of this booklet, you will be better prepared to work safely with formaldehyde-containing materials. In addition to personal safety, OSHA compliance is another reason ISU departments must ensure their employees are working safely with formaldehyde. Departments must ensure that their employees are not exposed to airborne concentrations of formaldehyde greater than OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL’s). Two PEL’s have been established for formaldehyde: the 8-hour Time Weighted Average (PEL-TWA= 0.75 parts per million (ppm) and the Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL = 2.0 ppm). To determine formaldehyde concentrations, exposure monitoring must be conducted. Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) will be responsible for collecting and analyzing air samples at ISU. Monitoring can be scheduled by calling EH&S at (515) 294-5359. Employees will be notified of the monitoring results in writing. When exposure monitoring indicates formaldehyde levels above Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exposure limits, ISU must establish and implement a program to reduce employee exposure below these levels. The program will include engineering controls (such as a chemical fume hood or local exhaust ventilation) and/or work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure below these limits. The OSHA standard requires ISU to address the following items: • establish regulated areas • signs, labels, and safety data sheets (SDSs) • personal protective equipment (PPE) • eye washes and safety showers • leaks and spills • medical surveillance • information and training