Formaldehyde (aka methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethylene, methylaldehyde, oxomethane) is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature. It includes a sharp, distinct odor which can result in a burning sensation to the eyes, nose, and lungs. Formaldehyde can react with numerous other chemicals, and at high temperatures, it’ll breakdown into a combination of wood alcohol and carbon monoxide. Whilst it is harmless when it’s naturally produced in tiny amounts in our bodies, it can also be within the air that people breathe in the home and at the office (ie smog, car exhaust, tobacco, gas cookers, open fireplaces, fertilizers, latex, leather, paper, plywood, and in manufactured wood products), in the foodstuff we eat (ie preservatives), and in certain products that people put on the skin we have (ie antiseptics, medicines, cosmetics, dish-washing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe-care agents, carpet cleaners, glues and adhesives, lacquers, paper, plastics, and some forms of wood products). When formaldehyde is combined with methanol and buffers, it generates embalming fluid and it can also be used to preserve tissue specimens.
All the formaldehyde that you’re subjected to in the surroundings is in the air. This usually breaks down throughout the day to create formic acid and carbon monoxide. This doesn’t seem to develop in plants, animals or water. However, you are subjected to small amounts of formaldehyde in the air. This really is particularly true if your home is in heavily populated suburban areas. Surprisingly though, there’s usually more formaldehyde present indoors than outdoors. The reason being formaldehyde is released into the air from many home products that you breathe in. These products include latex paint, fingernail hardener, and fingernail polish, antiseptics, medicines, dish-washing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe-care agents, carpet cleaners, glues, adhesives, and lacquers. Formaldehyde can be within plywood and particle board, as well as furniture and cabinets produced from them, fiberglass products, new carpets, decorative laminates, and some permanent press fabrics, and some paper products (ie grocery bags and paper towels). Since these products contain formaldehyde, you may even be exposed throughout your skin by touching or arriving direct contact with them. You may even come in contact with small amounts of formaldehyde in the foodstuff you eat. Other home products that have and produce formaldehyde include: household cleaners, carpet cleaners, disinfectants, cosmetics, medicines, fabric softeners, glues, lacquers, and antiseptics. You may even breathe formaldehyde if you utilize unvented gas or kerosene heaters indoors or in the event that you or somebody else smokes tobacco indoors. It can be interesting to see that the quantity of formaldehyde in mobile homes and apartments is usually greater than it is in conventional homes due to their lower air turnover.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that 1,329,332 individuals in the United States experienced the prospect of occupational exposure to formaldehyde. This really is particularly true if you’re a physician, nurse, dentist, veterinarian, pathologist, embalmer, a worker in the clothing industry or in a furniture factory, a worker in a chemical plant, or if you’re a teacher or even a student who handles preserved specimens in a laboratory.
You’ll find so many ways by which formaldehyde can enter your system, These include breathing it in, drinking or eating it, or having it enter into contact together with your skin. Formaldehyde is quickly absorbed from the nose and the upper part of your lungs. 裝修清潔 It can be rapidly absorbed whenever it is eaten or drank. Once absorbed, almost every tissue within your body can rapidly breakdown formaldehyde into a non-toxic chemical called formate, which will be excreted in the urine. Formaldehyde can also be converted to carbon dioxide and breathed out of the body. Sometimes formaldehyde is even broken down so your body can utilize it to make larger molecules which are needed in your tissues. However, formaldehyde is never stored in fat.
Students are frequently subjected to formaldehyde through breathing it or by wearing some forms of new clothes or cosmetics. Studies have shown that breathing formaldehyde in will result in nose and eye irritation (ie burning feeling, itchy, tearing, and sore throat) in children. It’s possible that the irritation occurs at lower concentrations in children than in adults. However, the good news (if there’s any to be found), is that formaldehyde will NOT cause birth defects in humans nor could it be within breast milk.
When you enter into contact with formaldehyde you will usually have skin irritation. Obviously, some people are more sensitive to the results of formaldehyde than others are (ie people who have asthma are more sensitive). The most common symptoms include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, along with increased tearing. Other symptoms that occur with large amounts of formaldehyde intake include severe pain, vomiting, coma, and possible death. Studies have shown that exposure to large amounts of formaldehyde also causes nose and throat cancer.
All this provides a hardcore case for desiring to lessen our exposure to formaldehyde. Some ways by which to get this done is by opening windows or using a fan to create fresh air into your home. It’s also wise to try to remove as much formaldehyde sources as you are able to from your home. Including not smoking indoors (or not smoking at all) and not using unvented portable kerosene heaters. Obviously, formaldehyde can be within small amounts in several consumer products. To lessen your exposure to formaldehyde when working with these products you ought to attempt to utilize them near a source of fresh air. If this is not possible, then you definitely should at the very least ensure that you have lots of ventilation if you are using them. If you select to purchase an item that is made from plywood or particle board, expose it to lots of fresh air or ensure that it is covered with plastic laminate or coated on all sides. When purchasing permanent press fabrics you ought to wash these new clothes before you wear them.
