Formaldehyde is a dangerous chemical found in many products and industries. Exposure through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and even cancer. Homes and workplaces should establish safety protocols to reduce exposure.
Formaldehyde is a potentially dangerous chemical but can be found in many products and is used in many different industries. When people talk about formaldehyde poisoning, they are usually referring to respiratory contact, absorbed through the skin, or ingested. The chemical can occur as a gas in the products it has been used in, and continued contact can make people seriously ill. Alternatively, someone may experience high levels of it on the skin or, in rare circumstances, ingest it. The former can cause skin irritation and the latter can be deadly.
When people become inhaled from formaldehyde, they may be regularly exposed to the gas. both in the workplace and at home. In the late 2000s, for example, trailers donated to help victims of the devastating Hurricane Katrina were found to contain much higher than normal or acceptable levels of formaldehyde gas. Eventually the decision was made to move the families off the trailers, due to the potential dangers and risks that chemical exposure could create in the long term.
Some of the symptoms of formaldehyde respiratory or inhalation poisoning affect the way people breathe. Your nose may become runny or stuffy, and your eyes may sting or water. Over time, repeated exposure can lead to conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma. Children are most at risk for this and may succumb earlier to exposure to the gas. The presence of the gas may also affect and be absorbed through the skin, and may cause a rash or chronic skin irritation. Also, since this chemical is a carcinogen, exposure on a regular basis carries the risk of developing cancer.
Prolonged exposure is not required to cause formaldehyde poisoning. Inhaling a large amount of fumes at once can cause these symptoms. Those who have had exposure to formaldehyde in large quantities should consult a doctor. People can also become sensitized to the chemical and may react with greater symptoms if exposed to it again.
Since formaldehyde is also present in many household products, ingestion of the liquid form of this chemical is possible. This is extremely dangerous and medically urgent. Consuming even one ounce has been linked to death, and in children it may not require even that much. All products that contain dangerous chemicals must be kept out of the reach of children to avoid this deadly scenario.
While it is possible to avoid some formaldehyde, it is not always possible to avoid it because the gas is present in the atmosphere. What makes sense is to work to reduce it on the home front and establish safety protocols for those who use it at work. Homes in many countries must now adhere to certain building standards that can keep chemical levels low, but older homes may have higher levels. There are many labs that sell a formaldehyde test kit that can test the air quality in homes to determine if levels are too high and may have strategies to reduce formaldehyde. Symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning such as chronic respiratory conditions and skin rashes may be a good reason to pursue this test.
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