Formaldehyde

 Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong smelling chemical that is used in building materials and is used in many household products including:

 

• Some new clothing as permanent press fabric used for stain resistence and colour fasting
• Fungicides
• Germicides
• Disinfectant ,carpet cleaner, stainless steal cleaner, leather cleaner, glass cleaner
• Paper product coatings
• Particle board, concrete
• Ply wood
• Cigarette smoke
• Unvented fuelling supplies like gas stoves, wood burning stoves and kerosene heaters
• Some foam insulation materials
• Preservatives in chemical laboritories
• Preservative in mortuaries
• Can be used in photo development
• Roundup - this is debatably now but best not used for glyphosphate anyway

 

Note : Formalehyde is produced in small amounts by most living organisms but it is when in excess it is a problem.

 

Where you find reactions is in workers that produce or are exposed to these formaldehyde products in higher levels than the general public. Exposure is thru inhaling gas/vapor in the air or absorbing formaldehye thru the skin. Some people are very sensitive while others are fine. 

 

Symptoms of reaction can be:

1. Skin reactions
2. Watery eyes
3. Burning sensations in eyes, nose and throat,
4. Coughing
5. Weezing,
6. Nausea.
7. If ingested it can cause gastrointestinal corossion
8. Ulcers in mouth, stomach and osephagus 
9. fertility issues in males

 

If you feel you are getting any reactions or would like to talk about it further please discuss it with your practitioner. Being educated and aware of choices for you and your family is the key. The problem is the amount of exposure and the long term exposure to these products.  The EPA suggests you using exterior grade wood products in your homes to limit formaldehyde.  These woods contain phenol resins not urea resins.  Ensure ventilation, moderate temperatures, wash new clothes and bedding, do not smoke cigarettes or cigars, avoid cleaning agents and pesticides with formaldehyde.  Not to forget check lotions,soaps, baby wipes, bubble bath, sunblock, cosmetics, shampoos, body wash, toothpaste,creams and baby products. Children and babies can be even more sensitive to chemicals and this includes formaldehyde. 

 

Formaldehdye can be labeled as:

• Formalin
• Methanal
• Oxymethyline
• Urea
• 1,3- Dioxetane
• Quanerium 15
• Methyaldehyde
• Methylene Oxide
• Formic Aldehyde
• Oxomethane Formalin
• Phenol Formaldehyde