A Guide to

Formaldehyde

H. R. Imbus

N. C. Department of Labor

Division of Occupational Safety and Health

1101 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101

Cherie K. Berry

Commissioner of Labor

Acknowledgments

This guide was prepared for the North Carolina Department

of Labor by Health & Hygiene, Inc., 420 Gallimore Dairy

Road, Greensboro, North Carolina, a firm that specializes in

occupational health. Updated material was provided by

North Carolina Department of Labor Health Standards

Officer J. Edgar Geddie, Ph. D.

This guide is intended to be consistent with all existing

OSHA standards; therefore, if an area is considered by

the reader to be inconsistent with a standard, then the

OSHA standard should be followed.

To obtain additional copies of this book, or if you have ques-tions

about N. C. occupational safety and health standards

or rules, please contact:

N. C. Department of Labor

Bureau of Education, Training and Technical Assistance

1101 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101

Phone: ( 919) 807- 2875 or 1- 800- NC- LABOR

____________________

Additional sources of information are listed

on the inside back cover of this book.

____________________

The projected cost of the OSHNC program for federal fiscal year 2002– 2003 is $ 13,130,589.

Federal funding provides approximately 37 percent ($ 4,920,000) of this total.

Printed 7/ 98, 3M

N. C. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Program

Cherie K. Berry

Commissioner of Labor

OSHA State Plan Designee

Allen McNeely

Deputy Commissioner for Safety and Health

Kevin Beauregard

Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Safety and Health

Contents

Part Page

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1iiv

1 Formaldehyde in the Workplace. . . . . . . . . . . . 1ii1

What Is Formaldehyde? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1ii1

Sources of Formaldehyde. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1ii2

How Can Formaldehyde Affect

Our Health? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1ii4

How Formaldehyde Enters the Body . . . . . . 1ii5

Responding to Emergencies from

Formaldehyde Releases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1ii9

First Aid Treatment for

Exposure to Formaldehyde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii10

2 A Standard Regulating Formaldehyde

in the Workplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii12

Background Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii12

Highlights of the Formaldehyde

Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii13

Appendix— Material Safety Data Sheet . . . ii22

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii29

References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii31

iii

Foreword

Formaldehyde in its simplest form is a colorless gas

that is readily soluble in water. It has an acrid odor that

can irritate the eyes and nose. Formaldehyde is commer-cially

available as a solution called formalin, formed from

various proportions of formaldehyde, water, and alcohol.

Textile and wood product industries are large users of

organic dyes and urea resins that contain formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is also used for disinfecting, embalming,

and producing some synthetic plastics. Employers must be

aware of workplace hazards facing their employees and

take appropriate action to minimize or eliminate exposure

to these hazards. A Guide to Formaldehyde describes how

employers and employees can learn to protect their health

in environments that contain formaldehyde.

In this state, the North Carolina Department of Labor

consultants and inspectors administer the federal OSHA

laws through a plan approved by the U. S. Department of

Labor. All current OSHA standards are enforced. Many

educational programs, publications ( including this

guide), and other services are also offered to help inform

people about their rights and responsibilities regarding

OSHA.

As you look through this guide, please remember that

OSHA’s mission is greater than just enforcement. An

equally important goal is to help citizens find ways to

create safe and healthy workplaces. Reading and using

the information in this booklet, like other educational

materials produced by the North Carolina Department

of Labor, can help.

Cherie K. Berry

Commissioner of Labor

iv

1

Formaldehyde in the

Workplace

What Is Formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde has the chemical elements carbon,

hydrogen, and oxygen in its structure. Hydrocarbons

are among the most common of chemical compositions.

The human body includes hydrocarbons among its ele-ments

and compounds, and it requires formaldehyde to

metabolize biochemical substances.

Formaldehyde has a pungent odor and is very soluble

in water. Formaldehyde is highly reactive and readily

combines with many chemical compounds, and under

normal conditions, it is a gas. In its simplest form,

formaldehyde is a colorless gas. But the term formalde-hyde

is sometimes used to describe liquids composed of

various mixtures of formaldehyde, water, and alcohol.

Formaldehyde is usually sold as an aqueous or watery

solution called formalin, which contains 37 to 50 percent

formaldehyde by weight. It is soluble in water, but not in

most organic solvents, except alcohol and ether. It is prin-cipally

used to produce resins, other industrial chemicals,

and consumer items and as a bactericide or fungicide.

A mixture of polymers of formaldehyde ( many mole-cules

of formaldehyde linked together) is known as

paraformaldehyde. Paraformaldehyde is a white powder

containing 91 percent or more formaldehyde.

1

Sources of Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is part of our general outdoor environ-ment.

It is released into the atmosphere through fumes

from automobile and truck exhausts and by manufactur-ing

facilities that burn fossil fuels. Uncontrolled forest

fires and the open burning of waste give off formalde-hyde.

Because of formaldehyde’s high water solubility, it

is contained in rain water, oceans, and surface waters.

Geographic location, wind conditions, cloud cover,

rain or standing water, air temperature, and the season

of the year are all important variants in the amount of

formaldehyde in the ambient air.

Formaldehyde is also in our indoor work environ-ment.

A formaldehyde resin is used in the production of

plywood and particle board. These wood products

become part of the structure of various workplaces. For

example, offices converted from mobile homes make use

of large quantities of plywood. Paint used to cover walls

contains formaldehyde. In the past, a foam made from a

resin known as urea- formaldehyde was used as a ther-mal

insulation in the outside walls of buildings. If the

foam were formulated or mixed improperly, formalde-hyde

could be released into the building.

The paper products industry uses urea- formaldehyde

resins. Paper products treated with formaldehyde

include paper bags, waxed paper, paper towels, and dis-posable

sanitary products. All of these products are

used in the work environment.

The wood industry is a major user of formaldehyde.

Over 60 percent of urea- formaldehyde resin is used as a

binder in plywood and particleboard. The textile indus-try,

however, is the major source of employee exposure to

formaldehyde. While not a major user of formaldehyde

on a volume basis, about 60 to 85 percent of all apparel

fabric is finished with formaldehyde- containing resins.

2

Formaldehyde also finds its way into the workplace

through textile products. Floor covering and carpet

backing may contain formaldehyde polymers. The tex-tile

industry uses formaldehyde for fire retardation,

increased water repellency, stiffness, and wrinkle- resis-tance

in fabric. Draperies, wallpaper, carpet, and uphol-stered

furniture contain formaldehyde.

Tobacco smoke contains formaldehyde. The smoker

inhales the smoke directly into the lungs. Nonsmokers

inhale sidestream smoke from cigarettes consumed by

fellow workers.

Thus, formaldehyde surrounds us generally in the

workplace, just as it does in the home and elsewhere.

However, employees may be additionally exposed from

formaldehyde used in their work products.

Formaldehyde can lead to widespread exposure in

downstream industries. When formaldehyde is present

in disinfectants, preservatives, and embalming fluid,

worker exposure can occur. Formaldehyde is found in

release agents in foundries. Laboratories in schools,

hospitals, dental facilities, and veterinary settings may

make use of formaldehyde. Hospitals use it as a disin-fectant

and deodorizer. See table 1 for a partial list of

occupations that may involve exposure to formaldehyde.

Also see table 2.

3

Table 1

Occupational That May Involve Exposure to

Formaldehyde

How Can Formaldehyde Affect Our

Health?

Based on the best available evidence in OSHA’s

record on formaldehyde, OSHA determined that

formaldehyde is genotoxic, showing properties of both a

cancer initiator and promoter ( early and late stage car-cinogen).

When inhaled, formaldehyde is a carcinogen

in rats. In humans, formaldehyde exposure has been

associated with cancers of the lung, nasopharynx and

oropharynx, and nasal passages.

When humans are exposed to excess levels of

formaldehyde, adverse health effects can result.

Symptoms of excess exposure include respiratory irrita-tion;

watery, itchy eyes; itchy, runny, or stuffy nose; dry

4

Agriculture workers

Botanists

Carpet manufacturers/ installers

Disinfectant producers/ users

Dressmakers

Drug makers

Dye manufacturers

Embalming fluid producers

Fabric store personnel

Fertilizer manufacturers and

blenders

Formaldehyde producers

Formaldehyde resin producers

Foundry workers

Furniture makers and finishers

Glue and adhesive makers

Hazardous waste handlers

Ink makers

Insulators

Laboratory researchers

Lacquer producers and users

Oil field workers

Paint and varnish manufacturers

Paper manufacturers

Plywood and particle board manu-facturers

Poultry processors

Rubber workers

Sanitation workers

Surgeons

Taxidermists

Textile workers: finishers, printers,

cutters

Veterinarians

Wood preservers

or sore throat; and headache. The EPA and OSHA rec-ognize

that contact with formaldehyde can cause skin

irritation and dermatitis.

Normally, reactions to formaldehyde heal within days

or a few weeks of the cessation of exposure. Most people

become acclimated to formaldehyde and come to experi-ence

its effects more mildly. But some people, especially

those with allergic asthma, allergic hay fever, or infan-tile

or childhood eczema, become sensitized and suffer a

condition known as allergic contact dermatitis. Those

with allergic contact dermatitis suffer itching, redness,

swelling, multiple small blisters, and scaling whenever

subsequent exposure occurs. Sensitized individuals are

usually unable to remain in formaldehyde- related jobs.

How Formaldehyde Enters the Body

There are four routes of exposure to a substance:

ingestion, inhalation, skin absorption, and eye contact.

Since people may adapt to formaldehyde, dependency

upon the perception of formaldehyde by odor and eye

irritation can lead to overexposure if the worker is rely-ing

on those cues as a warning against exposure.

Ingestion

Ingestion ( eating or drinking) is not considered a

common route of significant exposure to formaldehyde.

Nevertheless, there have been reported cases of acci-dental

formaldehyde ingestion. Swallowing liquids con-taining

10 to 40 percent formaldehyde results in severe

irritation of the mouth, throat, and stomach. Severe

stomach pains will follow ingestion with possible loss of

consciousness and death.

Inhalation

Inhaling formaldehyde can cause symptoms ranging

from mild irritation to severe difficulty in breathing.

The response depends on the concentration of the

5

formaldehyde. For example, concentrations of 10 to 20

parts per million ( ppm) cause difficulty in breathing,

burning of the nose and throat, cough, and heavy tear-ing.

A concentration of 100 ppm is immediately danger-ous

to life and health. The response also depends on the

length of exposure and individual sensitivity. One can

also become exposed by inhalation through off- gassing

from formaldehyde- containing materials ( downstream

exposure).

Because formaldehyde is so soluble, inhaling or

breathing it causes irritation of the eyes and nose. The

eyes will tear and the mucus in the nose will run. Other

reactions include headache, sinus fullness, sore throat,

and hoarseness. Higher concentrations of formaldehyde

or long- term exposure can cause severe coughing, chest

tightness, and swelling or spasm in the throat ( glottis).

Some studies have linked formaldehyde exposure to

allergic asthma. Formaldehyde resins have been linked

to respiratory disease in some workers, with symptoms

including both an immediate and a delayed asthmatic

reaction.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis ( a flulike illness with

fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath) has occa-sionally

been associated with worker exposure to pheno-formaldehyde

bakelite resins. Exposure to formalde-hyde

in concentrations of 100 ppm is considered imme-diately

dangerous to life and health.

Skin Absorption

Skin absorption is one of the major routes of exposure

to formaldehyde. Skin contact with formaldehyde can

result in reactions ranging from mild irritation to

severe allergic dermatitis. Concentrated solutions of

formaldehyde will cause the skin to discolor, crack, dry,

and scale. Prolonged or repeated contact will cause

numbness and hardening or tanning of the skin.

6

A number of factors affect skin absorption of

formaldehyde. If there is an existing dermatitis or acne

and/ or if the skin is broken or irritated, absorption is

increased. High humidity and the area of skin exposed

also affect skin absorption of formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is a chemical that causes a significant

number of people to experience skin sensitization.

Chemicals that cause sensitization are called allergens.

Exposure to these chemicals causes the body to form

antibodies. Future exposure to the substance, even in

very small amounts, can cause symptoms.

Skin contact occurs in a variety of workplaces, such

as veterinary clinics, schools, photography, plumbing,

agricultural, pest control, and medical settings ( includ-ing

pathology laboratories and morgues). In the fabric

industry, material is treated with formaldehyde for use

in making sheeting and garments. In garments,

formaldehyde makes possible a durable press finish.

Employees who work with such products are exposed to

formaldehyde and subject to dermatitis. In recent

times, technology has decreased the amount of free

formaldehyde on fabrics, and the risk of dermatitis has

been reduced.

Allergic contact dermatitis is seen among medical

personnel who use formaldehyde. Pathologists use

formaldehyde as a tissue fixative. Physicians, nurses,

and dentists routinely use it in disinfection procedures.

Technicians and cleaning personnel in health care facili-ties

are also routinely exposed to formaldehyde.

Other employees at similar risk include hairdressers;

automotive industry workers who handle coolants and

cutting oils; workers exposed to paint; and printing

industry workers who are exposed to ink and who rou-tinely

handle journals and newspapers. ( See table 2 for

a list of occupations where there exists the potential for

dermatitis from formaldehyde exposure.)

7

8

Job Exposure

Actors and theatrical artists Makeup

Artists, printers, silk screeners Inks, paper, preservatives

Bakers Disinfectants

Beauticians, barbers Disinfectants, germicides,

cosmetics

Butchers and food

preparation workers Cleaners, disinfectants

Biology laboratory

instructors and students Preservatives

Carpenters, cabinet makers Adhesives, solvents

Cleaning personnel Detergents, preservatives

Clinical biologists, histologists Formalin

Dentists, hygienists, assistants Disinfectants, medications

Dry cleaners Spot removers

Electricians and electronics

workers Resins, metal cleaners

Farming industry Fumigants, disinfectants

Foundry workers Resin emissions from sand

molds

Leather and fur workers Tanning

Machinists Metal cleaners, cutting fluids

Mechanics Metal and tire cleaners, sealants

Medical personnel Disinfectants, medicines

Morticians Formalin

Painters Resins

Paper workers Resin emissions

Pathologists, histologists Formalin

Pest control workers Fumigants, cleaning agents

Pharmacists Medicine, drug preservatives

Photographers Developers, resin emissions

Plumbers, pipe fitters Metal cleaners, resins

Printers Ink, paper

Stone workers Cleaning solutions

Textile workers Emissions from fabric finishes

Wallpaper hangers Preservatives, adhesives

Welders Metal cleaners, resins

Table 2

Jobs and Exposures with Potential for Formaldehyde

Dermatitis

Eye Contact

Eye contact results from spills or splashes of

formaldehyde. Eye contact reactions range from mild

irritation to permanent corneal cloudiness and loss of

vision. The severity of injury is determined by the con-centration

of the solution and the length of contact.

Eye irritation is a common complaint of persons

exposed to formaldehyde vapor. As the concentration of

formaldehyde increases, the eyes become itchy and tear

till they afford themselves some degree of natural pro-tection

by closing.

Responding to Emergencies from

Formaldehyde Releases

If your work area has the potential for large

formaldehyde releases, either from an accident or

equipment failure, your employer must have developed

an emergency procedure. If you are to play any part in

the emergency procedure, you will have received train-ing

in your specific duty, including training for any

equipment which you are expected to use. If you have

not received such training and an emergency spill of

formaldehyde occurs: LEAVE THE AREA as quickly as

possible. Do not touch any spilled material.

Designated employees should stop the leak and shut

off ignition sources. The hazard area should be isolated,

and no one should be granted admittance unless they are

wearing appropriate protective clothing and respirators.

Smoking and all flame or flares must be prohibited in

the hazard area. Explosive concentrations may build up.

Water spray may be used to reduce vapors. Fire fighting

procedures should be well established and followed.

9

Small spills may be cleaned up with absorbent materi-al.

The waste should be placed in marked containers for

later disposal. Large spills should be diked to facilitate

salvage or disposal. Sodium hydroxide or sodium sulfate

may be used to neutralize the spill.

EPA regulations must be followed for large spills and

disposal of waste. If the spill exceeds 1,000 pounds per

day, it is recordable under EPA’s superfund legislation.

First Aid Treatment for Exposure to

Formaldehyde

Treatment should be immediately available to

employees exposed to formaldehyde.

If formaldehyde is ingested ( swallowed):

• If the victim is conscious, administer milk, water,

or activated charcoal to dilute, absorb, or inacti-vate

the formaldehyde.

• Keep the exposed person warm and at rest.

• Get medical attention immediately.

• If vomiting occurs, keep the person’s head lower

than the hips, or turn the victim on his or her side

and lower his or her head.

If formaldehyde is inhaled:

• Remove to fresh air immediately.

• NOTE: Where concentrations are high, the rescuer

must wear a self- contained breathing apparatus.

• Check respiration. If breathing has stopped, initi-ate

rescue breathing, giving two initial breaths fol-lowed

by one breath every five seconds.

• If qualified, administer oxygen if it is available.

• Monitor vital signs and treat for shock.

10

• Get medical attention immediately.

• Where exposure results in coughing for more than

10 minutes and irritation of the upper respiratory

tract, the individual should be hospitalized.

If formaldehyde contacts the skin:

• Where there is potential for extensive exposure,

protective clothing must be worn and emergency

showers should be readily available.

• Remove contaminated clothing and shoes immedi-ately.

• Wash affected area with soap and water till no evi-dence

of the chemical remains ( 15 to 20 minutes).

• If chemical burns are noted, bandage with a dry,

sterile dressing.

• If there is evidence of eye or respiratory distress,

seek medical attention.

If formaldehyde contacts the eyes:

• Where there is potential for a splash to the eye,

goggles or face shields must be used. Emergency

eyewash stations should be readily available.

• Immediately wash eyes with copious amounts of

water ( 15 to 20 minutes).

• If there is evidence of a burn or if there is exten-sive

exposure, transport for medical care immedi-ately,

continuing irrigation while transporting.

11

2

A Standard Regulating

Formaldehyde in the

Workplace

Background Information

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Adminis-tration

( OSHA) first regulated workers’ exposure to

formaldehyde in 1972, when it imposed a permissible

exposure limit ( PEL) of three parts of formaldehyde per

million parts of air ( 3 ppm) as an eight- hour time-weighted

average ( TWA). At that time, the standard was

based on findings showing that formaldehyde was an

eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Later research

showed that formaldehyde might also cause cancer in

humans. Based on this new research, OSHA issued a

new standard ( 29 CFR 1910.1048) on December 4, 1987.

The 1987 standard set the PEL at 1 ppm. In June

1989, the U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of

Columbia ordered OSHA to justify more fully its new

PEL and the absence of a medical removal protection

( MRP) provision in the new standard. Since, the 1987

standard has been enforced by federal OSHA and by the

Occupational Safety and Health Division of the North

Carolina Department of Labor, except for its hazard

communication provision. That provision was stayed

until it could be clarified. In the interim, employers

( including those in wood products industries) were

required to comply with the generic hazard communica-tion

standard ( 29 CFR 1910.1200).

On May 27, 1992, federal OSHA published amend-ments

to its 1987 standard ( 57 Federal Register 22290)

12

in response to the 1989 court order. The amendments

lowered the PEL to 0.75 ppm, required MRP, lifted the

stay from the hazard communication provisions, and

required annual employee training. Compliance dead-lines

are included for the amended sections.

Highlights of the Formaldehyde

Standard

The information that follows is intended to offer the

reader a quick grasp of the standard. It is general infor-mation.

It is not a substitute for the standard itself.

The Hazard

The standard intends to protect employees from expo-sure

to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde gas, all mixtures or

solutions equal to or greater than 0.1 percent formalde-hyde,

and materials capable of releasing formaldehyde

into the air are considered a health hazard.

The Extent of the Standard’s Protection

The standard applies to all occupational exposures to

formaldehyde, that is, from formaldehyde gas, its solu-tions,

and materials that release formaldehyde.

Limits beyond Which Employees May Not Be

Exposed to Formaldehyde

The employer shall ensure that no employee is

exposed to an airborne concentration of formaldehyde

that exceeds 0.75 parts of formaldehyde per million

parts of air ( 0.75 ppm) as an eight- hour time- weighted

average ( TWA). This limit is one of two permissible

exposure limits ( PEL).

The standard also provides a short- term exposure

limit ( STEL). The employer shall ensure that no

employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of

formaldehyde that exceeds two parts formaldehyde per

million parts of air ( 2 ppm) as a 15- minute STEL.

13

Monitoring of Employee Exposure May Be

Required

Ensuring that employees are not excessively exposed

to formaldehyde may mean that the employer must

monitor employees to measure levels of exposure. If

there is no formaldehyde hazard in the workplace and if

employees have not complained of symptoms associated

with formaldehyde exposure, there is no obligation to

monitor.

If formaldehyde or formaldehyde- releasing agents are

in the workplace, the employer is not obligated to moni-tor

if it is able to document through objective data that

employees cannot be exposed at or above the STEL or at

or above the action level. The action level is a concentra-tion

of 0.5 ppm calculated as an eight- hour TWA concen-tration.

In documenting that employees are not exposed at or

above the action level or STEL, the employer should

consider all relevant information. Relevant information

would include insurance company and trade association

data, information from suppliers or exposure data col-lected

from similar operations, and previous sampling

results.

If the employer can demonstrate conclusively that no

employee is exposed at or above the action level or the

STEL through the use of objective data, the employer

need not monitor until such time that conditions have

changed and the determination is no longer valid.

Determining Which Employees Are Potentially

Exposed

Assuming the employer determines that, for any

operation, there is the possibility of employee exposure

at or above the action level or the STEL, the employer

is obligated to measure employee exposure. The first

step in making that determination is to determine all

situations where formaldehyde is used in a manner

14

such that it may be released into the workplace atmos-phere

or contaminate the skin.

If there is an indication from materials handling

records and material safety data sheets ( MSDSs) ( see

the sample MSDS in the appendix) that formaldehyde

is being used in the following types of processes, there

may be the potential for formaldehyde exposure:

✦ Operations involving grinding, sanding, sawing,

cutting, crushing, screening, sieving, and similar

processes that may release formaldehyde- bearing

dust

✦ Processes where employees have complained of

symptoms indicative of formaldehyde exposure

✦ Any liquid or spray process involving formaldehyde

✦ Any process that uses formaldehyde in preserved

tissue

✦ Any process that involves the heating of formalde-hyde-

bearing resin

Monitoring

Initial Monitoring

The employer must monitor each potentially exposed

employee or develop a representative sampling strategy

for each exposure work group. Appendix B of the stan-dard

discusses the relative merits of various sampling

strategies and monitoring methods.

Initial monitoring must be repeated if there is a

change in production, equipment, process, personnel, or

control measures that may result in new or additional

exposure to formaldehyde.

Periodic Monitoring

If monitoring shows employee exposure at or above

the action level, monitoring shall be repeated every six

months. If monitoring shows employee exposure at or

15

above the STEL, monitoring shall be repeated every

year under the worst conditions.

The standard specifies the level of accuracy required

of the monitoring process and describes conditions

under which monitoring may be terminated. Employees

must be allowed to observe the monitoring process.

Employees must be provided timely written notification

of the results of monitoring and a description of the cor-rective

action being taken.

Actions to Take When Monitoring Reveals Excess

Exposure

Regulated Areas

If monitoring reveals concentrations of airborne

formaldehyde at or in excess of the TWA or STEL, access

ways to the area must be posted with signs saying:

Employees must be informed of these areas, and

access must be limited to persons who have been

trained to recognize the dangers of formaldehyde.

Engineering and Work Practice Controls

Engineering and work practice controls must be insti-tuted

to reduce exposure levels to or below the TWA or

the STEL. If it is established that engineering controls

are not feasible to comply, then the controls must be

used to the extent feasible and supplemented with res-pirators.

16

DANGER

FORMALDEHYDE

IRRITANT AND POTENTIAL CANCER HAZARD

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

Respirator Protection

Respirators must be provided at no cost to the

employees who are required to wear them. The employ-er

is responsible for ensuring that employees properly

use the respirators. With regard to respirators, the

standard:

✦ Specifies circumstances in which respirators must

be used

✦ Provides a table for guidance in the selection of res-pirators,

depending upon the condition of use and

concentration of formaldehyde

Appendix E of the standard outlines procedures for

quantitative or qualitative face fit tests which the

employer must perform initially and annually for

employees required to wear negative pressure respira-tors.

Some principal considerations of fit test require-ments,

however, include the following:

✦ The most comfortable respirator must be used.

✦ The employee will be shown how to put on the res-pirator.

He or she must have several choices and

must wear the respirator for at least five minutes

when selecting it.

✦ The assessment of comfort and fit must consider:

• Position of the respirator on the nose and fit

across the bridge of the nose

• Room for eye protection

• Room to allow talking

• Proper placement of the chin

✦ When a negative pressure respirator is used, the

test must not be conducted if there is any hair

growth between the skin and the facepiece.

17

✦ The employer must certify that a successful fit test

has been performed. The date completed; name of

employee; and type, brand, and size of the respira-tor

will be part of the certification.

✦ During fit testing, specific exercises must be per-formed

by the employee, including normal breath-ing,

deep breathing, moving the head from side- to-side

and up and down, grimacing, and bending

over.

The employer must institute a respiratory protection

program that includes, among other things, the clean-ing,

storage, and location of respirators, in accordance

with 29 CFR 1910.134.

Protective Equipment and Clothing

The standard requires compliance with other applica-ble

standards regarding protective equipment and cloth-ing.

Such equipment and clothing must be provided at

no cost to the employee. The employer is responsible for

ensuring that the employees wear and use the clothing

and equipment. Guidelines are provided for the selection

and maintenance of protective equipment and clothing.

Hygiene Protection

The standard requires compliance with another

applicable standard ( 29 CFR 1910.141) regarding the

provision of quick change rooms for changing from work

clothing into protective clothing. If there is the possibili-ty

that employees’ skin and eyes may be splashed with

formaldehyde, appropriate quick drench showers and

eyewash facilities are required.

Housekeeping and Emergencies

For operations involving formaldehyde liquids or gas,

there must be a program to detect leaks and spills. The

program must encompass preventive and corrective

maintenance and provisions to contain spills, decontam-inate

work areas, and dispose of waste containing

18

formaldehyde. The employer must develop appropriate

procedures to be implemented in the event of an emer-gency.

Medical Surveillance

A medical surveillance program must be instituted

for: ( 1) all employees exposed to formaldehyde at con-centrations

at or above the action level or STEL; ( 2)

employees who develop signs and symptoms of overex-posure

to formaldehyde; and ( 3) all employees exposed

to formaldehyde in an emergency. The program must be

provided without cost to the employee, without loss of

pay, and at a reasonable time and place.

The program must make available a medical disease

questionnaire. The questionnaire must be administered

by a licensed physician or by someone under the physi-cian’s

supervision. Appendix D of the standard includes

an acceptable medical disease questionnaire.

A medical examination must be given to any employ-ee

designated by the physician on the basis of the ques-tionnaire,

to all employees who are required to wear a

respirator— both at the time of initial assignment and

annually, and to employees exposed in an emergency.

Under new MRP provisions, an employee must be

transferred to a job where formaldehyde does not

exceed the action level if exposure causes significant

eye, nose, throat, or dermal sensitization. If job transfer

is not possible, the employee must be removed from

formaldehyde exposure until a physician determines

the employee can or cannot return to work where there

is exposure or for six months ( whichever comes first).

The employee must have the right to seek a second

medical opinion and resolution of any disagreement

through a review by a third physician. While removed,

the employee’s seniority, benefits, and earnings may not

be reduced unless offset by other employment or public

or employer- funded program.

19

Hazard Communication

The standard’s hazard communication provisions

cross- reference requirements in the generic standard at

29 CFR 1910.1200. A written hazard communication

program must include labels and other forms of warn-ing,

material safety data sheets, and employee informa-tion

and training. Labels are required for all substances

with 0.1 percent or more of formaldehyde and materials

capable of releasing formaldehyde in excess of 0.1 ppm.

If it is foreseeable that formaldehyde levels may exceed

0.5 ppm, labels must warn that formaldehyde is a

Potential Cancer Hazard.

Training and Training Materials

Information and training must be provided in a man-ner

in which the employee can understand, at the time

of initial assignment, whenever a new exposure to

formaldehyde is introduced into the work area, and at

least annually. This guide might be used to inform

employees of the contents of the standard. The appen-dix

in this guide might be used to train about MSDSs.

Training should also include ( among other things):

✦ Potential health hazards posed by formaldehyde

( see part 1 of this guide), including symptoms asso-ciated

with formaldehyde exposure

✦ Work operation considerations, including:

• Importance of engineering controls

• Safe work practices

• Use and limitations of personal protective

equipment

• Housekeeping procedures

• Emergency procedures, including the specific

duties or assignments of each employee in the

event of an emergency

20

Employees should be informed of the location of writ-ten

training materials on formaldehyde. The materials

should be made available without cost.

Recordkeeping

Exposure, medical, and respirator fit testing records

must be maintained. The standard specifies the content

of the records and how long the records must be main-tained.

If the employer determines that exposure moni-toring

is not required, the objective data supporting

that determination must be maintained.

Exposure and medical records must be made avail-able

to the employee ( or former employee) and his or

her representative. The standard explains any condi-tions

which the employer may require to be met prior to

releasing the records.

21

Appendix

Material Safety Data Sheet

Identification

NAME

Formaldehyde Solutions

CHEMICAL FAMILY

Aldehyde

SYNONYMS

Formalin; Methanal

FORMULA

CH2O

CAS NAME

Formaldehyde Solutions

Physical Data

BOILING POINT

760 mmHg 94.3°– 100° C ( 201°– 212° F)

MELTING POINT

Polymerizes and separates below 0°– 67° C ( 32°– 153° F)

SPECIFIC GRAVITY

1.08– 1.13

VAPOR PRESSURE

23– 26 mmHg at 25° C ( 77° F); 39 mmHg at 37.8° C ( 100° F)

VAPOR DENSITY ( Air = 1)

– 1

SOLUBILITY IN WATER

100%

pH INFORMATION

2.8– 4.0

22

EVAPORATION RATE ( Butyl Acetate = 1)

Similar to water: > 1

FORM

Liquid

APPEARANCE

Clear ( turns milky on cooling)

COLOR

Colorless

ODOR

Pungent

Hazardous Components

APPROXIMATE

MATERIAL( S) CAS NO. PERCENT

Formaldehyde 50- 00- 0 22– 56

Methanol 67- 56- 1 1– 15

Hazardous Reactivity

INSTABILITY

No known hazardous instability

INCOMPATIBILITY

Reacts with many compounds. Reaction with phenol,

strong acids, or alkalis may be violent. Reaction with

hydrochloric acid may form bis- chloromethyl ether,

an OSHA- regulated carcinogen.

DECOMPOSITION

Occurs slowly at elevated temperatures, releasing

formaldehyde gas.

POLYMERIZATION

Nonhazardous polymerization may occur at low tem-peratures,

forming paraformaldehyde, a white solid.

23

Fire and Explosion Data

FLASH POINT

54°– 88° C ( 129°– 192° F) METHOD TCC

FLAMMABLE LIMITS IN AIR, PERCENT BY VOLUME

Lower 7

Upper 73

AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE

424° C ( 795° F)

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS

OSHA Class II or IIIA Combustible Liquid. Follow appro-priate

National Fire Protection Association ( NFPA) codes.

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA

Alcohol foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide ( CO2),

water spray.

SPECIAL FIREFIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS

Cool container with water spray or fog to help absorb

escaping fumes. Evacuate affected area. Stay upwind

and avoid contact with smoke and fumes. If contact

cannot be avoided, wear personal protective equip-ment

including chemical splash goggles and air mask

with breathing air supply. Runoff from fire control

may cause pollution.

Health Hazard Information

PRINCIPAL HEALTH HAZARDS

Causes eye burns. Harmful if inhaled or absorbed

through the skin; causes general tissue damage.

Causes skin, nose, throat, and lung irritation. May

cause allergic skin reaction. May be fatal or cause

blindness if swallowed. Cannot be made non- poisonous.

Formaldehyde:

Inhalation 4- hour LC50: 250 ppm in rats

Skin absorption LD50: 270 mg/ kg in rabbits

Oral LD50: 500 mg/ kg in rats

24

Formaldehyde is a mild to moderate skin irritant, is

an eye irritant, and can produce permanent eye dam-age

and skin sensitization in animals. Toxic effects

described in animals from exposure by inhalation to

the vapor or mist include severe irritation to the

upper respiratory tract and mucosal surfaces, eye

irritation, and nonspecific effects such as weight loss

and irritation. Toxic effects observed in animals from

exposure by ingestion include severe irritation to

mucosal surfaces and decreased body weight. Tests in

some animals demonstrate carcinogenic activity.

Formaldehyde shows mutagenic activity in bacterial

and mammalian cell culture test systems but is gen-erally

negative in whole animal systems. Tests for

teratogenic activity by several routes have been nega-tive;

however, one study indicated slightly decreased

fetal weights, but only at high dose levels expected to

also cause maternal toxicity. No malformations were

observed. The available data are inadequate to assess

reproductive effects, although limited studies do not

suggest such effects.

Human health effects of overexposure by skin contact

with formaldehyde solutions include irritation with

discomfort or rash, or allergic skin rash. Eye contact

with formaldehyde solutions may cause eye irritation

with discomfort, tearing, and blurring of vision; or

eye corrosion with corneal or conjunctival ulceration.

Effects of overexposure to formaldehyde vapors may

include discomfort, such as nausea, headache, or

weakness; irritation of the upper respiratory pas-sages;

temporary lung irritation effects with cough,

discomfort, difficulty breathing, or shortness of

breath. On rare occasions, respiratory sensitization

( asthma) has been reported in individuals. Gross

overexposure by ingestion and, rarely, inhalation has

been fatal. A Soviet study of questionable merit on

women exposed to urea formaldehyde resin in textile

processing noted effects on pregnant workers and

25

their offspring. However, these effects could be

explained by other factors and have not been sub-stantiated

by other studies. Individuals with preex-isting

diseases of the lungs, eyes, or skin may have

increased susceptibility to the toxicity of excessive

exposures.

CARCINOGENICITY

Formaldehyde is listed by the International Agency

for Research on Cancer as probably carcinogenic to

humans, on the basis of animal evidence and at least

limited human data ( IARC group 2A); listed by the

National Toxicology Program as reasonably anticipat-ed

to be carcinogenic; listed by ACGIH as an A2

Industrial Substance Suspect of Carcinogenic

Potential for Man; and OSHA, in its formaldehyde

standard ( 29 CFR 1910.1048), considers formaldehyde

a potential carcinogen. Formaldehyde ( gas) is a chemi-cal

known to the state of California to cause cancer.

EXPOSURE LIMITS [ PEL ( OSHA), TLV ( ACGIH)]

Formaldehyde: OSHA 8- hour time- weighted average

( TWA) = 0.75 ppm; the OSHA short- term exposure

limit ( STEL) = 2 ppm, 3 mg/ m3 ( 15- minute TWA, see

29 CFR 1910.1048). The ACGIH TLV– TWA = 1 ppm,

1.2 mg/ m3; the ACGIH STEL = 2 ppm, 2.5 mg/ m3; ( in

its 1989– 1990 “ Notice of Intended Changes,” ACGIH

lists the TLV as 0.3 ppm, 0.45 mg/ m3, ceiling, with

the STEL deleted.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Do not get in eyes.

Avoid contact with skin and clothing.

Avoid breathing mist or vapor.

Wash thoroughly after handling.

FIRST AID

In case of eye contact: immediately flush eyes with

plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Call a physi-cian.

In case of skin contact: immediately flush skin

26

with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while

removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Call a

physician. Wash clothing before reuse.

If inhaled: remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give

artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give

oxygen. Call a physician.

If swallowed: induce vomiting immediately as direct-ed

by medical personnel. Following this, give activat-ed

charcoal slurry. Call a physician.

NOTE TO PHYSICIANS

To prepare activated charcoal slurry, suspend 50 gm

of activated charcoal in 400 ml of water in a bottle

and shake well. Give 5ml/ kg of body weight, or 350

ml for an average adult.

Protection Information

GENERALLY APPLICABLE CONTROL MEASURES

Provide ventilation adequate to keep formaldehyde

concentrations below indicated exposure limits.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Have available and wear as appropriate: chemical

splash goggles; full- length face shield/ splash goggle

combination; neoprene, nitrile, butyl, or polyvinyl

gloves; coveralls with long sleeves. Selection and

maintenance of personal protective equipment shall

be in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1048( h). If expo-sure

limits may be exceeded, the appropriate respira-tor

as specified in table 1, 29 CFR 1910.1048( g),

should be used.

Wear self- contained breathing apparatus and full

body protection for entry into areas where concentra-tions

exceed 100 ppm and for emergency reentry into

areas of unknown concentrations.

27

Disposal Information

AQUATIC TOXICITY

Formaldehyde: The 96- hour LC50 in fathead minnows

is 38– 48 mg/ l.

SPILL, LEAK, OR RELEASE

Wear self- contained breathing apparatus and full

body protection. Soak up small spills with earth,

sand, or other noncombustible absorbent material

and remove in covered metal containers. Dike large

spills and neutralize with diluted ( 5 percent) solu-tions

of ammonia, sodium sulfite, or sodium bisulfite

and remove. Flush area with plenty of water. Comply

with federal, state, and local regulations on reporting

releases.

WASTE DISPOSAL

Cleanup material is a RCRA hazardous waste.

Comply with federal, state, and local regulations.

Additional Information

STORAGE CONDITIONS

Keep container closed. Keep away from heat and

flame. Store in heated tank or warm room, above

minimum storage temperature for grade handled.

SARA/ TITLE III HAZARD CATEGORIES AND LISTS

Product Hazard Categories:

Chronic Health: Yes

Acute Health: Yes

Fire Hazard: Yes

Pressure Hazard: No

Reactivity Hazard: No

Lists:

Extremely Hazardous Substance: Yes

CERCLA Hazardous Substance: Yes

Toxic Chemical: Yes

28

Glossary

Action Level. Concentration of a specific substance, cal-culated

on an eight- hour time- weighted average

( TWA), which initiates certain required activities

such as exposure monitoring and medical surveil-lance.

Aqueous Solution. A watery or water- based solution.

Carcinogen. A substance that produces cancer.

Dermatitis. A disorder or irritation of the skin. Signs

may include itching, redness, rashes, and various

skin lesions.

FEF. Forced expiratory flow. The flow of air midpoint in

a forced expiratory maneuver.

FEV1. Forced expiratory volume in one second. The

amount of air one can forcefully exhale in the first

second of a forced expiration.

FVC. Forced vital capacity. The maximum amount of air

one can forcefully exhale after maximum inspiration.

Hazard. The risk presented by a particular exposure to

do harm by virtue of its explosiveness, flammability,

corrosiveness, toxicity, etc., and the ease with which

contact can be established with the substance.

Metabolize. The changes that occur in substances enter-ing

the body till they are used and/ or excreted from

the body.

MSDS. Material safety data sheet. Substances that are

considered potentially dangerous are required by

OSHA to have an MSDS. Information required to be

on the MSDS includes: product name, ingredients,

the manufacturer, possible safety and health hazards,

and health precautions to follow.

PEL. Permissible exposure level. A term used to indi-cate

the permissible amount of exposure to a specific

29

substance, based on an eight- hour time- weighted

average ( TWA).

Protective Equipment and Clothing. Equipment and/ or

clothing provided to the worker to prevent contact

with a specific substance. Should be chosen based on

the concentration, method of exposure, and condi-tions

of use. Can include respirators, gloves, clothing,

goggles, and face shields.

Respirator. A device worn over the nose and mouth to

protect one from inhaling harmful substances. The

respirator must be selected to protect against the spe-cific

substance and must be approved by the Mine

Safety and Health Administration ( MSHA) and by

the National Institute of Occupational Safety and

Health ( NIOSH).

Solubility. The ability of a substance to be dissolved

into solution.

STEL. Short- term exposure limit. A term used to

indicate the maximum amount of time ( usually 15

minutes) that it is safe for one to be exposed to a

substance in high concentrations.

Toxic. The ability of a substance to cause harm to the

body. Toxicity is influenced by how much and how

often one is exposed to a particular substance.

TWA. Time- weighted average. A term used to determine

and set exposure limits for a particular substance.

30

References

AIHA. June 1987. Occupational Exposure and Work

Practices Guidelines for Formaldehyde, Final Draft.

American Industrial Hygiene Association, Akron,

Ohio.

Feinman, S. E., ed. 1988. Formaldehyde Sensitivity and

Toxicity. CRC Press, Inc.

Gibson, J. E., ed. 1983. Formaldehyde Toxicity, The

Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology Series.

Hemisphere Publishing Corporation.

Horvath, E. P., and H. Anderson, et al. February 5,

1988. Effects of Formaldehyde on the Mucous

Membranes and Lungs: A Study of an Industrial

Population. Journal of American Medical Association

259, no. 5: 701– 707.

NIOSH. 1985. Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

Publication # 78- 110. U. S. Department of Health and

Human Services, Washington, D. C.: Government

Printing Office.

NRC. 1981. Formaldehyde and Other Aldehydes.

National Research Council. Committee on Aldehydes,

Board of Toxicology and Environmental Health

Hazards, National Research Council. National

Academy Press.

OSHA. May 27, 1992. Occupational Exposure to

Formaldehyde: Final Rule. Occupational Safety and

Health Administration, 29 CFR 1910.1048 Federal

Register 57: 22290.

Ottoboni, M. A. 1984. The Dose Makes the Poison.

Vincente Books.

International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and

Agricultural Implement Workers of America, UAW, et

al. v. Pendergrass; Amalgamated Clothing and

31

Textile Workers Union, et al. v. Whitfield, Deputy

Secretary of Labor; Formaldehyde Institute, Inc., et

al. v. Whitfield; International Molders and Allied

Workers Union, AFL- CIO- CLC, et al. v. Dole, United

States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia

Circuit, Docket Nos. 87- 1743, 87- 1744, 88- 1021, and

88- 1063 ( June 9, 1989), 1989 OSHD ( CCH) ¶ 28,564.

32

The following industry guides are available from the N. C. Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational

Safety and Health:

1# 1. A Guide to Safety in Confined Spaces

1# 2. A Guide to Procedures of the Safety and Health Review Board of North Carolina

1# 3. A Guide to Machine Safeguarding

1# 4. A Guide to OSHA in North Carolina

1# 5. A Guide for Persons Employed in Cotton Dust Environments

1# 6. A Guide to Lead Exposure in the Construction Industry

1# 7. A Guide to Bloodborne Pathogens in the Workplace

1# 8. A Guide to Voluntary Training and Training Requirements in OSHA Standards

1# 9. A Guide to Ergonomics

# 10. A Guide to Farm Safety and Health

# 11. A Guide to Radio Frequency Hazards With Electric Detonators

# 12. A Guide to Forklift Operator Training

# 13. A Guide to the Safe Storage of Explosive Materials

# 14. A Guide to the OSHA Excavations Standard

# 15. A Guide to Developing and Maintaining an Effective Hearing Conservation Program

# 17. A Guide to Asbestos for Industry

# 18. A Guide to Electrical Safety

# 19. A Guide to Occupational Exposure to Wood, Wood Dust and Combustible Dust Hazards

# 20. A Guide to Crane Safety

# 21. A Guide to School Safety and Health

# 23. A Guide to Working With Electricity

# 25. A Guide to Personal Protective Equipment

# 26. A Guide to Manual Materials Handling and Back Safety

# 27. A Guide to the Control of Hazardous Energy ( Lockout/ Tagout)

# 28. A Guide to Eye Wash and Safety Shower Facilities

# 29. A Guide to Safety and Health in Feed and Grain Mills

# 30. A Guide to Working With Corrosive Substances

# 31. A Guide to Formaldehyde

# 32. A Guide to Fall Prevention in Industry

# 33. A Guide to Office Safety and Health

# 34. A Guide to Safety and Health in the Poultry Industry

# 35. A Guide to Preventing Heat Stress

# 36. A Guide to the Safe Use of Escalators and Elevators

# 37. A Guide to Boilers and Pressure Vessels

# 38. A Guide to Safe Scaffolding

# 39. A Guide to Safety in the Textile Industry

# 40. A Guide to Emergency Action Planning

# 41. A Guide to OSHA for Small Businesses in North Carolina

Occupational Safety and Health ( OSH)

Sources of Information

You may call 1- 800- NC- LABOR ( 1- 800- 625- 2267) to reach any division of the N. C. Department of Labor; or visit the

NCDOL home page on the World Wide Web, Internet Web site address: http:// www. nclabor. com.

N. C. Division of Occupational Safety and Health

Mailing Address: Physical Location:

1101 Mail Service Center 111 Hillsborough St.

Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101 ( Old Revenue Building, 3rd Floor)

Local Telephone: ( 919) 807- 2900 Fax: ( 919) 807- 2856

For information concerning education, training and interpretations of occupational safety and health standards contact:

Bureau of Education, Training and Technical Assistance

Mailing Address: Physical Location:

1101 Mail Service Center 111 Hillsborough St.

Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101 ( Old Revenue Building, 4th Floor)

Telephone: ( 919) 807- 2875 Fax: ( 919) 807- 2876

For information concerning occupational safety and health consultative services and safety awards programs contact:

Bureau of Consultative Services

Mailing Address: Physical Location:

1101 Mail Service Center 111 Hillsborough St.

Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101 ( Old Revenue Building, 3rd Floor)

Telephone: ( 919) 807- 2899 Fax: ( 919) 807- 2902

For information concerning migrant housing inspections and other related activities contact:

Agricultural Safety and Health Bureau

Mailing Address: Physical Location:

1101 Mail Service Center 111 Hillsborough St.

Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101 ( Old Revenue Building, 2nd Floor)

Telephone: ( 919) 807- 2923 Fax: ( 919) 807- 2924

For information concerning occupational safety and health compliance contact:

Safety and Health Compliance District Offices

Raleigh District Office ( 313 Chapanoke Road, Raleigh, NC 27603)

Telephone: ( 919) 779- 8570 Fax: ( 919) 662- 4709

Asheville District Office ( 204 Charlotte Highway, Suite B, Asheville, NC 28803- 8681)

Telephone: ( 828) 299- 8232 Fax: ( 828) 299- 8266

Charlotte District Office ( 901 Blairhill Road, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28217- 1578)

Telephone: ( 704) 665- 4341 Fax: ( 704) 665- 4342

Winston- Salem District Office ( 4964 University Parkway, Suite 202, Winston- Salem, NC 27106- 2800)

Telephone: ( 336) 776- 4420 Fax: ( 336) 776- 4422

Wilmington District Office ( 1200 N. 23rd St., Suite 205, Wilmington, NC 28405- 1824)

Telephone: ( 910) 251- 2678 Fax: ( 910) 251- 2654

*** To make an OSHA Complaint, OSH Complaint Desk: ( 919) 807- 2796***

For statistical information concerning program activities contact:

Planning, Statistics and Information Management

Mailing Address: Physical Location:

1101 Mail Service Center 111 Hillsborough St.

Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101 ( Old Revenue Building, 2nd Floor)

Telephone: ( 919) 807- 2950 Fax: ( 919) 807- 2951

For information about books, periodicals, vertical files, videos, films, audio/ slide sets and computer databases contact:

N. C. Department of Labor Library

Mailing Address: Physical Location:

1101 Mail Service Center 111 Hillsborough St.

Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101 ( Old Revenue Building, 5th Floor)

Telephone: ( 919) 807- 2848 Fax: ( 919) 807- 2849

N. C. Department of Labor ( Other than OSH)

1101 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101

Telephone: ( 919) 733- 7166 Fax: ( 919) 733- 6197