| QUESTIONS | ANSWERS |
|---|---|
| What is this chemical? | Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas that has a distinct, pungent smell. It is also known as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethyline, methylaldehyde, and oxmethane.
Formaldehyde is naturally produced in small amounts in our bodies. |
| What is its purpose? | Formaldehyde is commonly known as a preservative in medical laboratories and mortuaries.
It is often mixed with alcohol to create liquid called formalin. Formaldehyde can be used for many purposes and is a popular chemical because of its low cost. Formaldehyde is an important chemical used widely by industry to manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It is also a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes. Thus, it may be present in substantial concentrations both indoors and outdoors. Also, there are resins and plastics containing formaldehyde under the following names:
A formaldehyde releaser is a chemical compound that slowly releases formaldehyde. Formaldehyde releasers are often used as antimicrobial preservative in cosmetics. Examples of formaldehyde releasers include:
|
| Where is it found? | In homes, the most significant sources of formaldehyde are likely to be pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. Pressed wood products made for indoor use include:
Medium density fiberboard contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other UF pressed wood product and is generally recognized as being the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product. Formaldehyde is also widely used in:
Smog is a major source of formaldehyde exposure. Cigarettes and other tobacco products, gas cookers, and open fireplaces are sources of formaldehyde exposure. Formaldehyde is given off as a gas from the manufactured wood products used in new mobile homes. Products that contain formaldehyde compounds can release formaldehyde gas into the air. These types of releases are known as “off gassing” and they occur most often in products such as plywood, particle board, and other pressed wood products. The amount released is greatest when the product is new, and decreases over time. Formaldehyde is released more readily at warm temperatures and high humidity. |
HEALTH CONCERNS Is this chemical a carcinogen?
It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and is a suspected human carcinogen that is linked to nasal cancer and lung cancer. Some studies of people exposed to formaldehyde in workplace air found more cases of cancer of the nose and throat than expected, but other studies did not confirm this finding. In animal studies, rats exposed to high levels of formaldehyde in air developed nose cancer.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that formaldehyde may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen.
How can it affect me? Formaldehyde can cause eye, nose and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; difficulty breathing; fatigue; skin rash; nausea and severe allergic reactions when humans are exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop sensitivity to formaldehyde.
In view of its widespread use, toxicity and volatility, exposure to formaldehyde is a significant consideration for human health. Formaldehyde is a sensitizing agent that can cause an immune system response upon initial exposure.
Ingestion of formaldehyde can be fatal, and long-term exposure to low levels in the air or on the skin can cause asthma-like respiratory problems and skin irritation such as dermatitis and itching. Concentrations of 100 ppm are immediately dangerous to health or life.
In manufactured homes that contain large amounts of pressed wood products, there are concerns about the initial indoor level of formaldehyde. In 1984, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) set standards for construction of manufactured homes. These standards require that manufacturers only use pressed wood products that release formaldehyde at levels below an accepted guideline. The standards also require that a health notice concerning formaldehyde emissions be included on all new manufactured homes.
Are there controversial issues?
No.
Related posts:
