Question

Carla was putting away a shipment of laboratory chemicals when she noticed that a bottle of formaldehyde was leaking. The liquid ran down her arm while she was taking the bottle to the laboratory sink. Almost immediately, her arm became red and irritated. She asks you what she should do. If you are not familiar with the emergency first aid steps for a formaldehyde exposure, what is the first thing you should do?

A. Wash the affected area with copious amounts of water.
B. Apply a chemical neutralizer to the affected area.
C. Cover the affected area with a bandage.
D. Consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Answer 1

Upon exposure to formaldehyde, the first action should be to wash the area thoroughly with water, then consult the MSDS for further guidance.

Step-by-step explanation:

When exposed to formaldehyde, which is a gas that can cause irritation and is used in aqueous solutions called formalin, the first thing Carla should do is wash the affected area with copious amounts of water. This immediate action helps to dilute and remove the chemical, which is known for its property to denature proteins, making them insoluble in water and thus resistant to bacterial decay. While a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides valuable information on handling a chemical exposure, it is crucial to quickly start flushing the skin with water to mitigate any potential damage from the formaldehyde. After washing, she should then consult the MSDS for further instructions, and seek medical attention if necessary.