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Formaldehyde: Your not-so-welcome house guest

By Megan Roth

In yesterday’s post, I asked just how dangerous formaldehyde is to human health. One would assume the effects are minimal, considering everyone is exposed to small amounts of it in air, food, and other products we contact daily. Not to mention the fact that it’s commonly used in medical institutions, manufacturing facilities, and household products.

At room temperature, it’s colorless and highly flammable. And ugh – does it stink! The smell of the gas is distinct and incredibly bitter; perhaps it can be used in partial explanation for the odor of fertilizer, in which it’s an ingredient. True story – formaldehyde is used in the production of fertilizer, paper, and plywood (to name a few products). Oh, and did I mention our bodies also produce it in small amounts?

I said it: one of the chemicals used to produce fertilizer is also produced in our very own bodies (I’m a little bit disgusted myself…)

But that’s not all – it’s also used as a preservative in certain foods, antiseptics, cosmetics, and other medicines (the exposure through these materials and substances occurs in small amounts); and wait: it’s also in fiberglass, carpet, wrinkle-resistant fabrics, paper products, and many household cleaners.

Quite obviously, exposure occurs often and through a variety of materials. But at what point does exposure to formaldehyde become cause for concern?

According to OHSA , exposure to formaldehyde becomes unsafe when it is in excess of .75 parts of formaldehyde to one million parts of air (as averaged over an 8-hour time period).

Makes sense, but it’s slightly difficult to obtain those measurements on our own. That’s what OSHA and the Department of Labor are for.

These organizations monitor levels of exposure in manufacturing plants (and similar facilities) in order to ensure the safety of those employed in such facilities. And monitor they do.

In 1987, the Department of Labor ordered a 2/3 reduction of formaldehyde exposure for workers employed in certain textile plants. They said the reductions were necessary because, though the long-term effects of exposure were not yet known, there was a strong correlation between exposure and cancers of the nose and throat.

And since that’s not been stated as fact, I feel safe mentioning that there’s also speculation of a correlation that exists between exposure to the chemical and increased odds of leukemia.

Now, these fall under what could be deemed ‘severe effects’. On a lesser level, over-exposure to formaldehyde can cause headaches, respiratory distress and nausea, as well as irritation to the skin, eyes, and airways. These effects often result form exposure to levels as low as one part per million. Thus, it’s easy to understand why OSHA set the maximum level of exposure before action is taken at .75 ppm – better safe than sorry!

I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t agree more…

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Megan Roth

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on November 27, 2008 (boomark / email).