July 1999 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Formaldehyde |
(Formaldehido) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about formaldehyde. For more information,
you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737.
This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous
substances and their health effects. This information is important
because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure
to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration,
how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether
other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Everyone is exposed
to small amounts of formaldehyde in air and some foods
and products. Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the
skin, eyes, nose, and throat. High levels of exposure
may cause some types of cancers. This substance has been
found in at least 26 of the 1,467 National Priorities
List sites identified by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). |
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What
is formaldehyde? |
At room temperature, formaldehyde is
a colorless, flammable gas that has a distinct, pungent smell.
It is also known as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethyline,
methylaldehyde, and oxomethane. Formaldehyde is naturally
produced in small amounts in our bodies.
It is used in the production of fertilizer,
paper, plywood, and urea-formaldehyde resins. It is also used
as a preservative in some foods and in many products used
around the house, such as antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics.
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What
happens to formaldehyde when it enters the environment? |
- Formaldehyde dissolves easily but does not last a long
time in water.
- Most formaldehyde in the air breaks down during the day.
- The breakdown products of formaldehyde are formic acid
and carbon monoxide.
- Formaldehyde does not build up in plants and animals.
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How
might I be exposed to formaldehyde? |
- Smog is a major source of formaldehyde exposure.
- Cigarettes and other tobacco products, gas cookers, and
open fireplaces are sources of formaldehyde exposure.
- It is used in many industries and in hospitals and laboratories.
- Formaldehyde is given off as a gas from the manufactured
wood products used in new mobile homes.
- The amount of formaldehyde in foods is very small.
- Household sources, such as fiberglass, carpets, permanent
press fabrics, paper products, and some househould cleaners.
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How
can formaldehyde affect my health? |
Low levels of formaldehyde can cause
irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. It is possible
that people with asthma may be more sensitive to the effects
of inhaled formaldehyde.
Drinking large amounts of formaldehyde
can cause severe pain, vomiting, coma, and possible death.
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How
likely is formaldehyde to cause cancer? |
Some studies of people exposed to formaldehyde
in workplace air found more cases of cancer of the nose and
throat than expected, but other studies did not confirm this
finding.
In animal studies, rats exposed to high
levels of 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.
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How
does formaldehyde affect children? |
The most common route of exposure is
by breathing it, which is likely to cause nose and eye irritation
(burning, itchy, tearing, and sore throat) in children as
well as in adults.
Animal studies suggest that formaldhyde
will not cause birth defects in humans. It is not likely to
be transferred to a child in breast milk.
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How
can families reduce the risk of exposure to formaldehyde? |
Formaldehyde is usually found in the
air, and levels are usually higher indoors than outdoors.
Opening windows and using fans to bring fresh air indoors
are the easiest ways to lower levels in the house. Not smoking
and not using unvented heaters indoors can lower the formaldehyde
levels.
Removing formaldehyde sources in the
home can reduce exposure. Formaldehyde is given off from a
number of products used in the home. Providing fresh air,
sealing unfinished manufactured wood surfaces, and washing
new permanent press clothing before wearing can help lower
exposure.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to formaldehyde? |
Laboratory tests can measure formaldehyde
in blood, urine, and breath. These tests do not tell you how
much formaldehyde you have been exposed to or if harmful effects
will occur. The tests are not routinely available at your
doctor's office.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The EPA recommends that an adult should
not drink water containing more than 1 milligram of formaldehyde
per liter of water (1 mg/L) for a lifetime exposure, and a
child should not drink water containing more than 10 mg/L
for 1 day or 5 mg/L for 10 days.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has set a permissable exposure limit for formaldehyde
of 0.75 parts per million (ppm) for an 8-hour workday, 40-hour
workweek.
The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends an exposure limit of
0.016 ppm.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1999. Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents.
Volume III Medical Management Guidelines for Acute
Chemical Exposures: Formaldehyde. Atlanta,
GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1999. Toxicological
Profile for formaldehyde. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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