Formaldehyde is a common chemical that usually occurs as a smelly, flammable gas. It is often used in preservation but is also found in nature in much smaller concentrations. When a person is exposed to formaldehyde gas, they can experience negative health consequences. Learn the common signs of toxic formaldehyde exposure.

What Is Formaldehyde?

As mentioned above, formaldehyde is a chemical that typically occurs as a gas with a strong, noticeable smell. People use it in all kinds of tools and materials, including:

• Particleboard and plywood furniture
• Building materials
• Glue
• Permanent press fabric
• Dishwashing liquid
• Fertilizer
• Pesticides
• Lacquers
• Fabric softener
• Medical preservatives

Formaldehyde is also a byproduct of combustion. It’s most commonly found in cigarette smoke and the exhaust from unvented gas space heaters.

Winter Dangers

During the winter, it is common for people in colder climates to use space heaters to warm their homes. Some types of space heaters run on electricity, while others rely on gas. Gas space heaters are not properly vented and can release toxic fumes into your home, which is one reason they are illegal in many states.

Despite the laws preventing their use, people still buy them and use them illegally. If you choose to use a gas space heater in a poorly vented room, know that the gas exhaust includes toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, which can be fatal when inhaled.

What Happens When You Breathe in Formaldehyde?

As with many other gases, breathing in formaldehyde can have adverse effects on your health. It can irritate the skin both outside and inside your body, causing chemical burns in extreme situations. Formaldehyde can also irritate your eyes, nose, lungs, and throat. In the case of severe exposure, it can even cause a person’s throat to swell and close, causing coughing, choking, and even death.

Is Formaldehyde a Carcinogen?

The US Department of Health and Human Services has officially stated that there is a positive, though weak, association between formaldehyde and an increased risk of cancer in places like the nose and nasal passages. In general, people are unlikely to get cancer from a single exposure, but those who are routinely exposed should see a doctor regularly.

Reproductive and Developmental Problems

The research on formaldehyde and birth defects isn’t quite as strong as it is for cancer. That said, there is reason to believe that those who are pregnant or trying to conceive should be wary of formaldehyde. In some research experiments involving rats, formaldehyde proved to be a genotoxin, which is a chemical that creates abnormalities in chromosomes.

Toxic Formaldehyde Exposure

Toxic formaldehyde exposure is when a person inhales a large amount of formaldehyde gas, either very quickly (acute), or over a long time (chronic). In such circumstances, a person may experience a burning sensation in the eyes, mouth, nose, and/or lungs immediately after exposure. Over a longer period of exposure, a person may find that they have other common signs of toxic formaldehyde exposure:

• Frequent headaches
• Feelings of depression
• Mood alterations
• Inability to sleep
• Trouble focusing
• Memory loss
• Impaired mobility

What To Do When Exposed to Formaldehyde

There is no antidote to formaldehyde, so any treatments for exposure are merely supportive. A person who has splashed themselves with formalin (the liquid form of formaldehyde) should rinse their skin and/or flush their eyes immediately. They should also remove any articles of clothing that are soaked in formalin.

For other symptoms, it is best to see a medical professional immediately. In extreme cases of exposure, formaldehyde poisoning may merit a trip to the emergency room.

How To Prevent Formaldehyde Exposure

Since formaldehyde is a fairly common chemical, it is important that people stay vigilant in order to avoid overexposure. Here are some of the strategies you can try at home or at work.

Let Ready-To-Assemble Furniture Air Out

Formaldehyde is commonly used in cheap particleboard and plywood furniture as a preservative. If you order new pieces of furniture containing these chemicals, it’s a good idea to let them air out in a garage or on the patio before putting them in your home or office. This includes bookshelves, desks, tables, chairs, and other kinds of inexpensive furniture typically sold by large furniture retail chains.

Store Fertilizer in Ventilated Spaces

Fertilizer often contains formaldehyde because it slows down the release of nitrogen into the soil. This helps your fertilizer work more effectively. However, to prevent a buildup of gases, it’s a good idea to store your fertilizer in a well-ventilated space, like an outdoor shed. Never keep fertilizer inside your home.

Choose Low-Formaldehyde Building Materials

If you are renovating your home or doing construction on a property, you can lower your formaldehyde exposure by choosing low-formaldehyde building materials. Some materials like insulation, hardwood, and resin commonly contain formaldehyde, so be sure to look for brands that contain lower concentrations.

Avoid Permanent Press Fabric

Permanent press fabric was invented in the mid-20th century as a way to keep clothes and linens from wrinkling. It involves coating fabric in a formaldehyde-based resin that prevents the fibers from absorbing moisture. The process creates fabric that tends to spring back rather than hold a specific shape. Unfortunately, formaldehyde fumes can linger on fabric that uses this finishing process.

Stop Smoking

Smoking cigarettes is bad for your health for many reasons, including the fact that cigarettes are known to contain cancer-causing chemicals. Many toxic fumes are also released in cigarette smoke, including formaldehyde. These chemicals often linger inside your home or car even after you’ve put out your cigarette.

Use a Formaldehyde Gas Detector

If you work in an environment where formaldehyde is common, you may want to invest in a formaldehyde detector, like the ones provided by TG Technical Services. This way, you can be absolutely certain of how much exposure you’re getting, and you can take steps to improve the ventilation in your workspace when the concentration gets too high. If you’re working with open flames, a formaldehyde detector is useful to help you avoid unexpected combustion.

TG Technical Services can provide your business with all kinds of industrial safety equipment. We carry many styles of handheld and stationary gas detectors, HAZMAT suits, and photoionization detectors. Call or email us today and let us help you keep your workplace a safe environment.