Formamide

log Kow= -1.51

-1.51

-1.51

Faint ammonia odor

Odorless

1.1334 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink

1.1334 @ 20 °C/4 °C

Relative density (water = 1): 1.13

1.13

1.134 @ 20°C

1.13

Slightly viscous, colorless liquid

Oily liquid

greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 66 °F (NTP, 1992)

Sol in alcohol and acetone

Miscible with methanol, phenol, dioxane, acetic acid, ethylene glycol, USP glycerol.

Insoluble in ethanol; very soluble in ethyl ether; miscible in chloroform, petroleum ether.

In water, 1.0X10+6 mg/l @ 25 °C.

1000.0 mg/mL

310 °F (NTP, 1992)

310 °F

310 °F (OPEN CUP)

120 °C c.c.

310 °F (open-cup)

(oc) 310 °F

410 °F at 760 mmHg (decomposes) (NTP, 1992)

210.5 °C @ 760 mm Hg

BP: 200-212 °C with partial decomposition beginning approximately 180 °C

411 °F (decomposes)

220 °C @760 [mm Hg]

411 °F (Decomposes)

Danger

H360D ***: May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]

P203, P280, P318, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.3% (1 of 388) of reports.

Danger

H351 (52.1%): Suspected of causing cancer [Warning Carcinogenicity]

Chemical: Formamide

Hazard Traits - Reproductive Toxicity

Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 (amended)

Formamide is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Formamide are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Status: Active Update: 23-08-2022 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/14929

Substance: Formamide

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic fumes emitted on decomposition (carbon monoxide and ammonia), beginning at 180 - 210 °C.

Combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.

Subchronic studies of rats exposed at 1500 ppm show decreased weight gain, kidney injury, and suppression of platelets and lymphocytes. By analogy with dimethylformamide, formamide is a suspected liver toxin. No signs of toxicity were detected in rats exposed 6 hours/day for 10 days at approximately 100 ppm of formamide vapor (equivalent to air saturated with formamide at room temperature). [ACGIH] A skin and eye irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations may cause CNS effects; [ICSC]

Pursuant to section 8(d) of TSCA, EPA promulgated a model Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule. The section 8(d) model rule requires manufacturers, importers, and processors of listed chemical substances and mixtures to submit to EPA copies and lists of unpublished health and safety studies. Formamide is included on this list.

Section 8(a) of TSCA requires manufacturers of this chemical substance to report preliminary assessment information concerned with production, use, and exposure to EPA as cited in the preamble of the 51 FR 41329.

FORMAMIDE is incompatible with strong oxidizers, acids and bases. Sensitive to light. Reacts with water very slowly at room temperature, but rate is accelerated by acids and bases at elevated temperatures. Incompatible with iodine, pyridine and sulfur trioxide. Reacts explosively with furfuryl alcohol, H2O2, Tl(NO3)3.H2O, nitromethane and P2O5. An effective solvent: dissolves casein, glucose, tannins, starch, lignin, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose acetate, nylon, the chlorides of copper, lead, zinc, tin, cobalt, iron, aluminum and nickel, the acetates of the alkali metals, some inorganic sulfates and nitrates. Attacks copper and brass (NTP, 1992).

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Dry chemical, water, alcohol foam, or carbon dioxide. (USCG, 1999)

Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, powder, carbon dioxide.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

Rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible).

Rinse mouth. Refer for medical attention .

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

(General first aid procedures)

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you should spill this chemical, use absorbent paper to pick up all liquid spill material. Seal the absorbent paper, as well as any of your clothing which may be contaminated, in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash any surfaces you may have contaminated with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

The following wastewater treatment technologies have been investigated for formamide: Concentration process: Biological treatment.

Personal protection: filter respirator for organic gases and vapours adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable containers as far as possible. Absorb remaining liquid in dry sand or inert absorbent. Store and dispose of according to local regulations.

Women of childbearing potential should handle this substance only in a hood and should take precautions to avoid skin contact with the liquid because of the ease with which it passes through the skin.

SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should remain at employee's place of work for cleaning.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

FORMAMIDE (3 G/KG IV) HAD LITTLE EFFECT ON CAROTID SINUS REFLEX OR ON HYPERTENSION INDUCED BY EXOGENOUS CATECHOLAMINES, BUT FORMAMIDE DECR HYPERTENSION INDUCED BY INDIRECTLY ACTING AMINES TYRAMINE AND EPHEDRINE.

FORMAMIDE, WHEN ADMIN IP TO MICE IN SUBLETHAL DOSES (3.2, 0.77, 2, 1.2, AND 0.75 G/KG), LENGTHENED /CNS DEPRESSION/ ... INDUCED BY 100 MG HEXOBARBITAL, 350 MG CHLORAL, OR 1.4 G URETHANE/KG.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), a Koc value of 3.6(2), indicates that formamide is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of formamide from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.4X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 6.1X10-2 mm Hg(3), and water solubility, 1.0X10+6 mg/l(4). Formamide is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 6.1X10-2 mm Hg(3). Several biodegradation screening studies have observed significant biodegradation of formamide(5-8); although these screening studies are not specific to soil media, they suggest that biodegradation in soil may be important(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), a Koc value of 3.6(2), indicates that formamide is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.4X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 6.1X10-2 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 1.0X10+6 mg/l(5). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 3(SRC), from a log Kow of -1.51(7) and a regression-derived equation(8), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Formamide is hydrolyzed very slowly at room temperature; the rate of hydrolysis increases rapidly in the presence of acid or bases and is further accelerated at elevated temperature(9). Biodegradation is an important fate process in water based on its biodegradability in aqueous screening tests(10-13).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), formamide, which has a vapor pressure of 6.1X10-2 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere(SRC). Vapor-phase formamide is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 8 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 2.0X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) determined using a structure estimation method(3).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour, through the skin and by ingestion.

inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Drowsiness. Headache. Nausea. Diarrhoea.

Redness.

Redness.

See Inhalation.

irritation eyes, skin, mucous membrane; drowsiness, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion); nausea; acidosis; skin eruptions; In Animals: reproductive effects

The following link will take the user to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Test Agent Search Results page, which tabulates all of the "Standard Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies", "Developmental Studies", and "Genetic Toxicity Studies" performed with this chemical. Clicking on the "Testing Status" link will take the user to the status (i.e., in review, in progress, in preparation, on test, completed, etc.) and results of all the studies that the NTP has done on this chemical. [http://ntp-apps.niehs.nih.gov/ntp_tox/index.cfm?fuseaction=ntpsearch.searchresults&searchterm=75-12-7]

Formamide was applied dermally to Wistar rats in a range finding study designed to determine the dosage levels for a 90 day dermal toxicity study. Groups of 10 rats (5 male and 5 female) received 0,100,300,1000 or 3,000 mg/kg formamide (>99.5% purity) applied as an occluded dose 1X daily, 5 days a week for 2 weeks. Data were collected concerning body weights, food consumption, hematology (CBC and differential platelet, reticulocyte count) and gross necropsy (with special attention to spleen and testes). All treatment groups showed decreased body weight gain. No other toxic effects of formamide were found at any concentration up to 3000 mg/kg. An elevated reticulocyte count was observed in the high dose group which may have reflected an anemic condition. No clinical signs or behavioral abnormalities were detected.

Moderately irritating to skin, mucous membranes.

An irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.

Pursuant to section 8(d) of TSCA, EPA promulgated a model Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule. The section 8(d) model rule requires manufacturers, importers, and processors of listed chemical substances and mixtures to submit to EPA copies and lists of unpublished health and safety studies. Formamide is included on this list.

Section 8(a) of TSCA requires manufacturers of this chemical substance to report preliminary assessment information concerned with production, use, and exposure to EPA as cited in the preamble of the 51 FR 41329.

This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. Formamide is produced, as an intermediate or a final product, by process units covered under this subpart.

THERE APPEARS TO BE GOOD EVIDENCE FOR HYDROLYSIS /OF ALIPHATIC CARBOXYLIC AMIDES/ ... THE SITE OF HYDROLYSIS IS PROBABLY LIVER, WHERE THERE ARE RELATIVELY NONSPECIFIC AMIDASES. RATE OF HYDROLYSIS INCREASES RAPIDLY AS MOLECULAR WT INCREASES ... /EXCEPT/ ACETAMIDE WAS HYDROLYZED MORE SLOWLY THAN FORMAMIDE ... .

RELATIVE LACK OF IRRITANT EFFECTS /OF SIMPLE CARBOXYLIC AMIDES/ ON SKIN & MUCOUS MEMBRANES INDICATES THAT HYDROLYSIS IS PROBABLY NOT OCCURRING THERE TO ANY EXTENT, OTHERWISE LOWER MOLECULAR WT ACIDS PRODUCED WOULD CAUSE LOCAL DAMAGE.

It is known that dimethylformamide is metabolized in man by sequential N-demethylation to methylformamide & formamide, which are largely eliminated in the urine.

In a study ... the hypothesis was tested that formamide undergoes metabolic hydrolysis in rabbits. Acidic substances were titrated after extraction by ether, before & after hydrolysis of urine samples. The ether-soluble acid determined in hydrolyzed urine was assumed to reflect the amount of formamide excreted unchanged. The difference between the amount of amide admin & the total amount excreted unchanged was considered to represent amide which was metabolically hydrolyzed. After admin of 2-4 g/rabbit orally, 39% of the dose was recovered unchanged using this method.

FORMAMIDE IS ABSORBED DIRECTLY THROUGH GUINEA PIG SKIN ... .

After admin of 2-4 g/rabbit orally, 39% of the dose was recovered unchanged ... .

Used as a chemical intermediate and ionizing solvent; also used as a softener for glues, gums, and paper; [ACGIH]

Pulp and Paper Processing [Category: Industry]

Manufacture of formic esters and hydrocyanic acid by catalytic dehydration.

Intermediate in organic synthesis.

Softener for paper, animal glues, water soluble glues.

Important intermediate in the chemical industry; used for producing heterocyclic compounds, pharmaceuticals, crop protection agents, fungicides, and pesticides; used as a solvent in the manufacture and processing of plastics; to produce formic acid; used to remove coating from copper conductors; used in the spinning of acrylonitrile copolymers; employed in the antistatic finishing of plastics or formation of conductive coatings on plastic particles.

2023: 50,000 - <250,000 lb

(1972) PROBABLY GREATER THAN 4.54X10+5 G

(1975) PROBABLY GREATER THAN 4.54X10+5 G

Prepared on large scale from carbon monoxide and ammonia at high pressure and temp: Meyer, Orthner, Ber 54, 1705 (1921); 55, 857 (1922); Meyer, German patents 390,798 (1924); 392,409 (1924); 414,257 (1925 to BASF); Weitzel, Herbst, US patent 1,843,434 (1932 to IG Farben).

Interaction of ethyl formate and ammonia with subsequent distillation.

All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing

Formamide: ACTIVE