# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Furfural | CAS 98-01-1
C5H4O2 | RTECS LT7000000
Synonyms & Trade Names Fural, 2-Furancarboxaldehyde, Furfuraldehyde, 2-Furfuraldehyde | DOT ID & Guide 1199 132P
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: See Appendix D
OSHA PEL†: TWA 5 ppm (20 mg/m3) [skin]
IDLH 100 ppm | Conversion 1 ppm = 3.93 mg/m3
Physical Description Colorless to amber liquid with an almond-like odor. [Note: Darkens in light and air.]
MW: 96.1 | BP: 323°F | FRZ: -34°F | Sol: 8%
VP: 2 mmHg | IP: 9.21 eV |  | Sp.Gr: 1.16
Fl.P: 140°F | UEL: 19.3% | LEL: 2.1% |
Class IIIA Combustible Liquid: Fl.P. at or above 140°F and below 200°F.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Strong acids, oxidizers, strong alkalis [Note: May polymerize on contact with strong acids or strong alkalis.]
Measurement Methods NIOSH 2529; OSHA 72
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: Prevent skin contact Eyes: Prevent eye contact Wash skin: When contaminated Remove: When wet or contaminated Change: No recommendation | First Aid (See procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately Skin: Water flush promptly Breathing: Respiratory support Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations OSHA Up to 50 ppm: (APF = 10) Any chemical cartridge respirator with organic vapor cartridge(s)*/(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator* Up to 100 ppm: (APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode*/(APF = 50) Any chemical cartridge respirator with a full facepiece and organic vapor cartridge(s)/(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with organic vapor cartridge(s)*/(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister/(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece/(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, skin, upper respiratory system; headache; dermatitis
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system
See also: INTRODUCTION