Formaldehyde is used in manufacturing fertilizer, paper, plywood, and urea-formaldehyde resins; as a preservative in some foods; and in antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics.
When it enters the environment... Most formaldehyde in the air breaks down to formic acid and carbon monoxide. It is water soluble.
How are people exposed to formaldehyde? Smog, cigarettes, gas burning appliances are sources of formaldehyde as well as new manufactured wood products. (These are particularly damaging in the environment of a modular home.) Formaldehyde is found in foods is very small quantities; and is also found in (or released by) fiberglass, paper products, permanent press, carpeting, and cleaners.
How does formaldehyde affect health? Formaldehyde can irritate eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Asthmatics may be more sensitive to formaldehyde. Consumption of large quantities of formaldehyde can cause pain, vomiting, coma, and possibly death. There may be medical consequences science has not yet determined.
Does formaldehyde cause cancer? Studies of people exposed to formaldehyde conflict. Because in animal studies, rats exposed to 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.
Does formaldehyde affect children? Inhalation is likely to cause nose and eye irritation (burning, itchy, tearing, and sore throat) in children as well as in adults, but so far, animal studies suggest that formaldhyde will not cause birth defects in humans. It is not likely to be transmitted in breast milk.
How can we reduce the risk of exposure? Formaldehyde levels are usually higher indoors than outdoors; fresh air ventilation is the easiest ways to lower inside levels, as well as not smoking and not using unvented combustible appliances. Unfinished manufactured wood surfaces give off formaldehyde, so surfaces should be finished; and washing permanent press before wearing can lower exposure.
How do I know if I've been exposed to formaldehyde?
While there are lab tests to measure formaldehyde in blood, urine, and breath, they aren't easily accessible from your doctor, and they don't measure formaldehyde exposure or if predict consequences.
How has the government regulated formaldehyde?
The EPA recommends that an adult should not drink water containing more than 1 milligram of formaldehyde per liter of water (1 mg/L). A child should not drink water containing more than 10 mg/L for 1 day or 5 mg/L for 10 days.
OSHA set a permissible exposure limit for formaldehyde of 0.75 parts per million (ppm) for an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek. NIOSH recommends an exposure limit of 0.016 ppm.
Formaldehyde is everywhere; it occurs naturally and is used widely by industry in manufacturing. It adds permanent-press qualities to fabric, is used as an adhesive component, and as a paint preservative; but it is also a by-product of combustion. It is likely to be in significant quantities indoors and outdoors.
Formaldehyde sources are:
- Building Materials
- Household Products
- Combustion Appliances (gas stoves or kerosene burning devices)
- Smoke
At home, pressed wood made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins, like particleboard, hardwood plywood paneling, medium density fiberboard are high formaldehyde-emitting products.