1.1 What is formaldehyde? |
1.2 What happens to formaldehyde when
it enters the environment? |
1.3 How might I be exposed to formaldehyde? |
1.4 How can formaldehyde enter and leave
my body? |
1.5 How can formaldehyde affect my health? |
1.6 How can formaldehyde affect children? |
1.7 How can families reduce the risk of
exposure to formaldehyde? |
1.8 Is there a medical test to determine
whether I have been exposed to formaldehyde? |
1.9 What recommendations has the federal
government made to protect human health? |
1.10 Where can I get more information? |
References |
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July 1999 |
Public Health Statement |
for |
Formaldehyde |
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This Public Health Statement is the
summary chapter from the Toxicological
Profile for formaldehyde. It is one in a series of Public
Health Statements about hazardous substances and their health
effects. A shorter version, the ToxFAQs™,
is also available. 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. For more information, call the ATSDR Information
Center at 1-888-422-8737.
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This public health statement tells you
about formaldehyde and the effects of exposure.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the nation.
These sites make up the National Priorities List (NPL) and
are the sites targeted for long-term federal cleanup activities.
Formaldehyde has been found in at least 26 of the 1,428 current
or former NPL sites. However, it's unknown how many
NPL sites have been evaluated for this substance. As
more sites are evaluated, the sites with formaldehyde may
increase. This is important because exposure to this
substance may harm you and because these sites may be sources
of exposure.
When a substance is released from a large
area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, such
as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. This
release does not always lead to exposure. You are exposed
to a substance only when you come in contact with it.
You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance
or by skin contact.
If you are exposed to formaldehyde, many
factors determine whether you'll be harmed. These factors
include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and
how you come in contact with it. You must also consider
the other chemicals you're exposed to and your age, sex, diet,
family traits, lifestyle, and state of health.
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1.1
What is formaldehyde? |
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable
gas at room temperature. It has a pungent, distinct
odor and may cause a burning sensation to the eyes, nose,
and lungs at high concentrations. Formaldehyde is also
known as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethylene, methylaldehyde,
and oxomethane. Formaldehyde can react with many other
chemicals, and it will break down into methanol (wood alcohol)
and carbon monoxide at very high temperatures.
Formaldehyde is naturally produced in
very small amounts in our bodies as a part of our normal,
everyday metabolism and causes us no harm. It can also
be found in the air that we breathe at home and at work, in
the food we eat, and in some products that we put on our skin.
A major source of formaldehyde that we breathe every day is
found in smog in the lower atmosphere. Automobile exhaust
from cars without catalytic converters or those using oxygenated
gasoline also contain formaldehyde. At home, formaldehyde
is produced by cigarettes and other tobacco products, gas
cookers, and open fireplaces. It is also used as a preservative
in some foods, such as some types of Italian cheeses, dried
foods, and fish. Formaldehyde is found in many products
used every day around the house, such as antiseptics, medicines,
cosmetics, dish-washing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe-care
agents, carpet cleaners, glues and adhesives, lacquers, paper,
plastics, and some types of wood products. Some people
are exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde if they live
in a new mobile home, as formaldehyde is given off as a gas
from the manufactured wood products used in these homes.
Formaldehyde is used in many industries.
It is used in the production of fertilizer, paper, plywood,
and urea-formaldehyde resins. It is present in the air
in iron foundries. It is also used in the production
of cosmetics and sugar, in well-drilling fluids, in agriculture
as a preservative for grains and seed dressings, in the rubber
industry in the production of latex, in leather tanning, in
wood preservation, and in photographic film production.
Formaldehyde is combined with methanol and buffers to make
embalming fluid. Formaldehyde is also used in many hospitals
and laboratories to preserve tissue specimens.
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1.2
What happens to formaldehyde when it enters the environment? |
Most of the formaldehyde you are exposed
to in the environment is in the air. Formaldehyde dissolves
easily in water, but it does not last a long time in water
and is not commonly found in drinking water supplies.
Most formaldehyde in the air also breaks down during the day.
The breakdown products of formaldehyde in air include formic
acid and carbon monoxide. Formaldehyde does not seem
to build up in plants and animals, and although formaldehyde
is found in some food, it is not found in large amounts.
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1.3
How might I be exposed to formaldehyde? |
You are exposed to small amounts of formaldehyde
in the air. It occurs from both natural and man made
sources although combustion is the largest source. If
you live in an unpopulated area, you may be exposed to about
0.2 parts per billion (ppb) of formaldehyde in the air outdoors.
In suburban areas, you may be exposed to about 2–6 ppb of
formaldehyde. If you live in a heavily populated area
or near some industries, you may be exposed to 10–20 ppb.
You may also be exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde during
rush hour commutes in highly populated areas because it is
formed in automobile and truck exhaust.
There is usually more formaldehyde present
indoors than outdoors. Formaldehyde is released to the
air from many home products and you may breath in formaldehyde
while using these products. Latex paint, fingernail
hardener, and fingernail polish release a large amount of
formaldehyde to the air. Plywood and particle board,
as well as furniture and cabinets made from them, fiberglass
products, new carpets, decorative laminates, and some permanent
press fabrics give off a moderate amount of formaldehyde.
Some paper products, such as grocery bags and paper towels,
give off small amounts of formaldehyde. Because these
products contain formaldehyde, you may also be exposed on
the skin by touching or coming in direct contact with them.
You may also be exposed to small amounts of formaldehyde in
the food you eat. You are not likely to be exposed to
formaldehyde in the water you drink because it does not last
a long time in water.
Many other home products contain and
give off formaldehyde although the amount has not been
carefully measured. These products include household cleaners,
carpet cleaners, disinfectants, cosmetics, medicines, fabric
softeners, glues, lacquers, and antiseptics. You may also
breathe formaldehyde if you use unvented gas or kerosene heaters
indoors or if you or someone else smokes a cigar, cigarette,
or pipe indoors. The amount of formaldehyde in mobile
homes is usually higher than it is in conventional homes because
of their lower air turnover.
People who work at or near chemical plants
that make or use formaldehyde can be exposed to higher than
normal amounts of formaldehyde. Doctors, nurses, dentists,
veterinarians, pathologists, embalmers, workers in the clothing
industry or in furniture factories, and teachers and students
who handle preserved specimens in laboratories also might
be exposed to higher amounts of formaldehyde. The National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates
that 1,329,332 individuals in the United States have had the
potential for occupational exposure to formaldehyde.
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1.4
How can formaldehyde enter and leave my body? |
Formaldehyde can enter your body after
you breath it in, drink or eat it, or when it comes in contact
with your skin. Formaldehyde is quickly absorbed from
the nose and the upper part of your lungs. When formaldehyde
is eaten and drunk, it is also very quickly absorbed.
Very small amounts are probably absorbed from formaldehyde
that comes in contact with your skin. Once absorbed,
formaldehyde is very quickly broken down. Almost every
tissue in the body has the ability to break down formaldehyde.
It is usually converted to a non-toxic chemical called formate,
which is excreted in the urine. Formaldehyde can also
be converted to carbon dioxide and breathed out of the body.
It can also be broken down so the body can use it to make
larger molecules needed in your tissues, or it can attach
to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or to protein in your body.
Formaldehyde is not stored in fat.
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1.5
How can formaldehyde affect my health? |
Formaldehyde is irritating to tissues
when it comes into direct contact with them. Some people
are more sensitive to the effects of formaldehyde than others.
The most common symptoms include irritation of the eyes, nose,
and throat, along with increased tearing, which occurs at
air concentrations of about 0.4–3 parts per million (ppm).
NIOSH states that formaldehyde is immediately dangerous to
life and health at 20 ppm. One large study of people
with asthma found that they may be more sensitive to the effects
of inhaled formaldehyde than other people; however, many studies
show that they are not more sensitive. Severe pain,
vomiting, coma, and possible death can occur after drinking
large amounts of formaldehyde. Skin can become irritated
if it comes into contact with a strong solution of formaldehyde.
To protect the public from the harmful
effects of toxic chemicals and to find ways to treat people
who have been harmed, scientists use many tests.
One way to see if a chemical will hurt
people is to learn how the chemical is absorbed, used, and
released by the body; for some chemicals, animal testing may
be necessary. Animal testing may also be used to identify
health effects such as cancer or birth defects. Without
laboratory animals, scientists would lose a basic method to
get information needed to make wise decisions to protect public
health. Scientists have the responsibility to treat
research animals with care and compassion. Laws today
protect the welfare of research animals, and scientists must
comply with strict animal care guidelines.
Several studies of laboratory rats exposed
for life to high amounts of formaldehyde in air found that
the rats developed nose cancer. Some studies of humans
exposed to lower amounts of formaldehyde in workplace air
found more cases of cancer of the nose and throat (nasopharyngeal
cancer) than expected, but other studies have not found nasopharyngeal
cancer in other groups of workers exposed to formaldehyde
in air. The Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS) has determined that formaldehyde may reasonably be
anticipated to be a human carcinogen (NTP). The International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that formaldehyde
is probably carcinogenic to humans. This determination
was based on specific judgments that there is limited evidence
in humans and sufficient evidence in laboratory animals that
formaldehyde can cause cancer. The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has determined that formaldehyde is a probable
human carcinogen based on limited evidence in humans and sufficient
evidence in laboratory animals.
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1.6
How can formaldehyde affect children? |
This section discusses potential health
effects from exposures during the period from conception to
maturity at 18 years of age in humans. Potential effects
on children resulting from exposures of the parents are also
considered.
Children and adults are likely to be
exposed to formaldehyde in the same way. The most common
way for children to be exposed to formaldehyde is by breathing
it. Children may also be exposed by wearing some types
of new clothes or cosmetics. A small number of studies
have looked at the health effects of formaldehyde in children.
It is very likely that breathing formaldehyde will result
in nose and eye irritation (burning feeling, itchy, tearing,
and sore throat). We do not know if the irritation would
occur at lower concentrations in children than in adults.
Studies in animals suggest that formaldehyde will not cause
birth defects in humans. Inhaled formaldehyde or formaldehyde
applied to the skin is not likely to be transferred from mother
to child in breast milk or to reach the developing fetus.
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1.7
How can families reduce the risk of exposure to formaldehyde? |
If your doctor finds that you have been
exposed to significant amounts of formaldehyde, ask if children
may also be exposed. When necessary your doctor may
need to ask your state department of public health to investigate.
Formaldehyde is usually found in the
air. Formaldehyde levels are also higher indoors than
outdoors. Opening windows or using a fan to bring in
fresh air is the easiest way to lower formaldehyde levels
in the home and reduce the risk of exposure to your family.
Removing formaldehyde sources from the
house will also reduce the risk of exposure. Since formaldehyde
is found in tobacco smoke, not smoking or smoking outside
will reduce exposure to formaldehyde. Unvented heaters,
such as portable kerosene heaters, also produce formaldehyde.
If you do not use these heaters in your home or shop, you
help to prevent the build up of formaldehyde indoors.
Formaldehyde is found in small amounts
in many consumer products including antiseptics, medicines,
dish-washing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe-care agents,
carpet cleaners, glues, adhesives, and lacquers. If
you or a member of your family uses these products, providing
fresh outdoor air when you use them. This will reduce your
exposure to formaldehyde. Some cosmetics, such as nail
hardeners, have very high levels of formaldehyde. If
you do not use these products in a small room, or if you have
plenty of ventilation when you use them, you will reduce your
exposure to formaldehyde. If your children are not in
the room when you use these products, you will also reduce
their exposure to formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is emitted from some wood
products such as plywood and particle board, especially when
they are new. The amount of formaldehyde released from
them decreases slowly over a few months. If you put
these materials in your house, or buy furniture or cabinets
made from them, opening a window will lower formaldehyde in
the house. The amount of formaldehyde emitted to the
house will be less if the wood product is covered with plastic
laminate or coated on all sides. If it is not, sealing
the unfinished sides will help to lower the amount of formaldehyde
that is given off.
Some permanent press fabrics emit formaldehyde.
Washing these new clothes before use will usually lower the
amount of formaldehyde and reduce your family's risk of exposure.
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1.8
Is there a medical test to determine whether I have been exposed
to formaldehyde? |
We have no reliable test to determine
how much formaldehyde you have been exposed to or whether
you will experience any harmful health effects.
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1.9 What recommendations has the federal government made to protect human health? |
The federal government develops regulations
and recommendations to protect public health. Regulations
can be enforced by law. Federal agencies that
develop regulations for toxic substances include the EPA,
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),
and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Recommendations
provide valuable guidelines to protect public health but cannot
be enforced by law. Federal organizations that develop
recommendations for toxic substances include the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the NIOSH.
Regulations and recommendations can be
expressed in not-to-exceed levels in air, water, soil, or
food that are usually based on levels that affect animals,
then they are adjusted to help protect people. Sometimes
these not-to-exceed levels differ among federal organizations
because of different exposure times (an 8-hour workday or
a 24-hour day), the use of different animal studies, or other
factors.
Recommendations and regulations are also
periodically updated as more information becomes available.
For the most current information, check with the federal agency
or organization that provides it. Some regulations and
recommendations for formaldehyde include the following:
Several international, national, and
state authorities have established regulations or guidelines
for the use and production of formaldehyde. OSHA has
established the permissible exposure limit (PEL) 8-hour time-weighted
average (TWA) at 0.75 ppm and the 15-minute Short-Term Exposure
Limit (STEL) at 2 ppm. The EPA sets regulations for
reporting quantities used and how much formaldehyde can legally
be produced from automobile exhaust; the FDA also has regulations
about the use of formaldehyde in the food you eat.
Non-enforceable guidelines have also
been established for formaldehyde. The American Conference
of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has established
a ceiling limit for occupational exposure (Threshold Limit
Value [TLV]) of 0.4 ppm. NIOSH has a recommended exposure
limit for occupational exposure (8-hour TWA) of 0.016 ppm,
and a 15-minute ceiling limit of 0.1 ppm.
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1.10 Where can I get more information? |
If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact
your community or state health or environmental quality department or:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Information line and technical assistance:
Phone: 888-422-8737
FAX: (770)-488-4178
ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health
clinics. These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses
resulting from exposure to hazardous substances.
To order toxicological profiles, contact:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Phone: 800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000
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References |
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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