**** SECTION 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION ****

MSDS Name: 10 % Buffered Formalin
Catalog Numbers:
    SF99 20, SF99 4, SF9920, SF994
Synonyms:
    None.
Company Identification:  Fisher Scientific
                        1 Reagent Lane
                        Fairlawn, NJ  07410
For information, call:  201-796-7100
Emergency Number:       201-796-7100
For CHEMTREC assistance, call: 800-424-9300
For International CHEMTREC assistance, call: 703-527-3887

         **** SECTION 2 - COMPOSITION, INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS ****

+----------------+--------------------------------------+----------+-----------+
|      CAS#      |              Chemical Name           |    %     |  EINECS#  |
|----------------|--------------------------------------|----------|-----------|
|       50-00-0  |Formaldehyde                          | 3.9-4.0  | 200-001-8 |
|----------------|--------------------------------------|----------|-----------|
|       67-56-1  |Methyl Alcohol                        |  2.0 %   | 200-659-6 |
|----------------|--------------------------------------|----------|-----------|
|      127-09-3  |Sodium Acetate                        | 1.2-2.0  | 204-823-8 |
|----------------|--------------------------------------|----------|-----------|
|     7732-18-5  |Water                                 | Balance  | 231-791-2 |
+----------------+--------------------------------------+----------+-----------+
         Hazard Symbols: None Listed.
         Risk Phrases: None Listed.

                 **** SECTION 3 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION ****

                              EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Not available.

Potential Health Effects
    Eye:
         Causes eye irritation.
    Skin:
         Causes skin irritation. May cause skin sensitization, an allergic
         reaction, which becomes evident upon re-exposure to this material.
    Ingestion:
         Cannot be made non-poisonous. May cause central nervous system
         depression, kidney damage, and liver damage. Causes gastrointestinal
         irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
    Inhalation:
         Causes respiratory tract irritation. May cause allergic respiratory
         reaction.
    Chronic:
         May cause cancer according to animal studies. May cause reproductive
         and fetal effects.

                   **** SECTION 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES ****

    Eyes:
         Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes,
         occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid.
    Skin:
         Get medical aid. Flush skin with plenty of soap and water for at
         least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes.
    Ingestion:
         Do NOT induce vomiting. If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4
         cupfuls of milk or water. Never give anything by mouth to an
         unconscious person. Get medical aid.
    Inhalation:
         Remove from exposure to fresh air immediately. If not breathing,
         give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
         Get medical aid.
    Notes to Physician:

                 **** SECTION 5 - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES ****

    General Information:
         As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in
         pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full
         protective gear. During a fire, irritating and highly toxic gases
         may be generated by thermal decomposition or combustion.
    Extinguishing Media:
         For small fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray or
         alcohol-resistant foam. Cool containers with flooding quantities of
         water until well after fire is out.

               **** SECTION 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES ****

    General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated
                         in Section 8.
    Spills/Leaks:
         Absorb spill with inert material (e.g. vermiculite, sand or earth),
         then place in suitable container. Clean up spills immediately,
         observing precautions in the Protective Equipment section.

                  **** SECTION 7 - HANDLING and STORAGE ****

    Handling:
         Wash thoroughly after handling. Wash hands before eating. Use only
         in a well-ventilated area. Do not get in eye>    Engineering Controls:
         Use adequate general or local exhaust ventilation to keep airborne
         concentrations below the permissible exposure limits.
    Personal Protective Equipment

                Eyes:
                      Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical
                      safety goggles as described by OSHA's eye and face
                      protection regulations in 29 CFR 1910.133 or European
                      Standard EN166.
                Skin:
                      Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin
                      exposure.
            Clothing:
                      Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin
                      exposure.
         Respirators:
                      Follow the OSHA respirator regulations found in 29CFR
                      1910.134 or European Standard EN 149. Always use a
                      NIOSH or European Standard EN 149 approved respirator
                      when necessary.

            **** SECTION 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES ****

Physical State:             Liquid
Appearance:                 not available
Odor:                       none reported
pH:                         Not available.
Vapor Pressure:             Not available.
Vapor Density:              Not available.
Evaporation Rate:           Not available.
Viscosity:                  Not available.
Boiling Point:              Not available.
Freezing/Melting Point:     Not available.
Autoignition Temperature:   Not applicable.
Flash Point:                > 194 deg F (> 90.00 deg C)
Explosion Limits, lower:    Not available.
Explosion Limits, upper:    Not available.
Decomposition Temperature:  Not available.
Solubility:                  Soluble in water.
Specific Gravity/Density:   Not available.
Molecular Formula:          Mixture
Molecular Weight:           Not applicable.

                **** SECTION 10 - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY ****

    Chemical Stability:
         Stable under normal temperatures and pressures.
    Conditions to Avoid:
         Incompatible materials, excess heat.
    Incompatibilities with Other Materials:
         Strong oxidants.
    Hazardous Decomposition Products:
         Irritating and toxic gases.
    Hazardous Polymerization: Has not been reported

               **** SECTION 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION ****

    RTECS#:
         CAS# 50-00-0: LP8925000
         CAS# 67-56-1: PC1400000
         CAS# 127-09-3: AJ4300010
         CAS# 7732-18-5: ZC0110000
    LD50/LC50:
         CAS# 50-00-0: Draize test, rabbit, eye: 750 ug/24H Severe; Draize
         test, rabbit, eye: 750 ug Severe; Draize test, rabbit, eye: 10 mg
         Severe; Draize test, rabbit, skin: 2 mg/24H Severe; Draize test,
         rabbit, skin: 50 mg/24H Moderate; Inhalation, mouse: LC50 = 454
         gm/m3/4H; Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 203 mg/m3; Oral, mouse: LD50 = 42
         mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 100 mg/kg; Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 270 uL/kg.
         CAS# 67-56-1: Draize test, rabbit, eye: 40 mg Moderate; Draize test,
         rabbit, eye: 100 mg/24H Moderate; Draize test, rabbit, skin: 20
         mg/24H Moderate; Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 64000 ppm/4H; Oral, mouse:
         LD50 = 7300 mg/kg; Oral, rabbit: LD50 = 14200 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50
         = 5628 mg/kg; Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 15800 mg/kg.
         CAS# 127-09-3: Draize test, rabbit, eye: 10 mg Mild; Draize test,
         rabbit, skin: 500 mg/24H Mild; Inhalation, rat: LC50 = >30 gm/m3/1H;
         Oral, mouse: LD50 = 6891 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 3530 mg/kg; Skin,
         rabbit: LD50 = >10 gm/kg.
         CAS# 7732-18-5: Oral, rat: LD50 = >90 mL/kg.
    Carcinogenicity:
      Formaldehyde -
              ACGIH: A2 - suspected human carcinogen
         California: carcinogen; initial date 1/1/88
              NIOSH: occupational carcinogen
                NTP: Suspect carcinogen
               OSHA: Possible Select carcinogen
               IARC: Group 2A carcinogen
      Methyl Alcohol -
         Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, NIOSH, NTP, or OSHA.
      Sodium Acetate -
         Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, NIOSH, NTP, or OSHA.
      Water -
         Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, NIOSH, NTP, or OSHA.
    Epidemiology:
         No information available.
 sp;    Specific Developmental Abnormalities: craniofacial and
         musculoskeletal, ipr-mouse TDLo=240 mg/kg.
    Reproductive Effects:
         Formaldehyde effects on Fertility: male index, itt-rat TDLo=400
         mg/kg; post- implantation mortality, ims-mouse TDLo=259 mg/kg.
         Paternal Effects: spermatogenesis, orl-rat TDLo=200 mg/kg;
         testes/sperm duct/epididymis, ipr-rat TDLo=80 mg/kg.
    Neurotoxicity:
         No information available.
    Mutagenicity:
         Formaldehyde DNA Damage: human fibroblast 100 umol/L DNA Inhibition:
         human cell types 210 umol/L. Unscheduled DNA Synthesis: rat cell
         types 50 umol/L. Gene Mutation in Mammalian Cells: human lymphocyte
         130 umol/L.
    Other Studies:
         No data available.

                 **** SECTION 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION ****

    Ecotoxicity:
         Atlantic salmon LC50=173 uL/L/96H; Catfish (fresh water)
         TLm=32ppm/24H; Flounder (salt water) TLm=100-330 ppm/48H; Fathead
         minnowLC50=10-100 uL/L/96H; Rainbow trout LC50= 168mg/L/48H;
         Zebrafish LC50=41mg/L/96H; Water flea LC50=52 mg/L/24H. Cas# 50-00-0:
         LC50(96Hr.) rainbow trout = 0.12 mL/L; flowthrough
         bioassay; LC50(96Hr.) fathead minnow = 24.1 mg/L; flowthrough
         conditions; LC50 (96Hr.) bluegill = 0.10 mg/L; Flow-through
         conditions; EC50 (96Hr.) water flea = 20 mg/L; EC50 (30
         min)photobacterium phospherum = 3.00-10.2 mg/L; Microtox.

                **** SECTION 13 - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS ****

Dispose of in a manner consistent with federal, state, and local regulations.

                 **** SECTION 14 - TRANSPORT INFORMATION ****

    US DOT
         Shipping Name: AVIATION REGULATED LIQUID,N.O.S.
                        (10% FORMALIN)
          Hazard Class: 9
             UN Number: UN3334
         Packing Group:
    Canadian TDG
         No information available.

                 **** SECTION 15 - REGULATORY INFORMATION ****

US FEDERAL
    TSCA
         CAS# 50-00-0 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
         CAS# 67-56-1 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
         CAS# 127-09-3 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
         CAS# 7732-18-5 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
         This material does not contain any Class 2 Ozone depletors.
    Clean Water Act:
         CAS# 50-00-0 is listed as a Hazardous Substance under the CWA.
         None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Priority
         Pollutants under the CWA.
         None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Toxic Pollutants
         under the CWA.
    OSHA:
         CAS# 50-00-0 is considered highly hazardous by OSHA.
STATE
    Formaldehyde can be found on the following state right to know lists:
    California, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Minnesota,
    Massachusetts.
    Methyl Alcohol can be found on the following state right to know
    lists: California, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Minnesota,
    Massachusetts.
    Sodium Acetate is not present on state lists from CA, PA, MN, MA, FL,
    or NJ.
    Water is not present on state lists from CA, PA, MN, MA, FL, or NJ.
    The following statement(s) is(are) made in order to comply with
    the California Safe Drinking Water Act:
    WARNING: This product contains Formaldehyde, a chemical known to the
    state of California to cause cancer.
    California No Significant Risk Level:
    CAS# 50-00-0: no significant risk level = 40 ug/day
European/International Regulations
    European Labeling in Accordance with EC Directives
         Hazard Symbols: Not available.
         Risk Phrases:
         Safety Phrases:
  WGK (Water Danger/Protection)
         CAS# 50-00-0: 2
         CAS# 67-56-1: 1
         CAS# 127-09-3: 1
         CAS# 7732-18-5: No information available.
  United Kingdom Occupational Exposure Limits
         CAS# 67-56-1: OES-United Kingdom, TWA 200 ppm TWA; 266 mg/m3 TWA
         CAS# 67-56-1: OES-United Kingdom, STEL 250 ppm STEL; 333 mg/m3 STEL
         CAS# 67-56-1: OES-United Kingdom, STEL 250 ppm STEL; 333 mg/m3 STEL

  Canada
         CAS# 50-00-0 is listed on Canada's DSL List.
         CAS# 67-56-1 is listed on Canada's DSL List.
         CAS# 127-09-3 is listed on Canada's DSL List.
         CAS# 7732-18-5 is listed on Canada's DSL List.
         CAS# 50-00-0 is listed on Canada's Ingredient Disclosure List.
         CAS# 67-56-1 is listed on Canada's Ingredient Disclosure List.
         CAS# 127-09-3 is not listed on Canada's Ingredient Disclosure List.
         CAS# 7732-18-5 is not listed on Canada's Ingredient Disclosure List.
  Exposure Limits
         CAS# 50-00-0: OEL-ARAB Republic of Egypt:TWA 2 ppm (3 mg/m3)
         OEL-AUSTRALIA:TWA 1 ppm (1.5 mg/m3);STEL 2 ppm (3 mg/m3);CAR
         OEL-BELGIUM:TWA 1 ppm (1.2 mg/m3);STEL 2 ppm ( OEL-HUNGARY:STEL 0.6 mg/m3;Carcinogen
         OEL-JAPAN:TWA 0.5 ppm (0.61 mg/m3);Carcinogen
         OEL-THE NETHERLANDS:TWA 1 ppm (1.5 mg/m3);STEL 2 ppm (3 mg/m3)
         OEL-THE PHILIPPINES:TWA 5 ppm (6 mg/m3)
         OEL-POLAND:TWA 2 mg/m3
         OEL-RUSSIA:TWA 0.5 ppm;STEL 0.5 mg/m3;Skin
         OEL-SWEDEN:TWA 0.5 ppm (0.6 mg/m3);STEL 1 ppm (1. mg/m3)
         OEL-SWITZERLAND:TWA 0.5 ppm (0.6 mg/m3);STEL 1 pp (1.2 mg/m3)
         OEL-THAILAND:TWA 3 ppm;STEL 5 ppm
         OEL-TURKEY:TWA 5 ppm (6 mg/m3)
         OEL-UNITED KINGDOM:TWA 2 ppm (2.5 mg/m3);STEL 2 ppm (2.5 mg/m3)
         OEL IN BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN, KOREA check ACGIH TLV
         OEL IN NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGI TLV
         CAS# 67-56-1: OEL-ARAB Republic of Egypt:TWA 200 ppm (260 mg/m3);Skin

                 **** SECTION 16 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ****

    MSDS Creation Date:  7/12/1999  Revision #3 Date:  8/02/2000

    The information above is believed to be accurate and represents the best
    information currently available to us. However, we make no warranty of
    merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to
    such information, and we assume no liability resulting from its use. Users
    should make their own investigations to determine the suitability of the
    information for their particular purposes. In no way shall the company be
    liable for any claims, losses, or damages of any third party or for lost
    profits or any special, indirect, incidental, consequential or exemplary
    damages, howsoever arising, even if the company has been advised of
    the possibility of such damages.
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