Formaldehyde - Anna Vu

Formaldehyde is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It has a chemical formula of CH₂O.It can also be known as methanol, oxomethylene, oxomethane, methylene oxide, formic aldehyde and formalin (1). It is in gas state with a molecular weight of 30.03 g/mol (1). Formaldehyde has a melting point of −92°C and a boiling point of −19.1°C (1). It is soluble in water, alcohol, ether and benzene (1).

It is commonly found in press-wood products such as plywood and particleboard, glues and adhesives, industrial fungicide, germicide, disinfectant and cigarette smoke (2). It can be used in two different forms: urea and phenol. Urea is formaldehyde resins, which can be in the form of dinnerware, particleboard, fiberboard, plywood, flexible foams, and insulation. Whereas phenol is formaldehyde resins can be molded and cast plastics, adhesives and bonding materials, laminating materials, brake linings, chemical equipment, and machine housing (1). Formaldehyde can be found in the air, workplace air (dental office, doctor office), water and soil (rain water and fogwater) and food (fruits) (3). It is produced in all organic life forms such as bacteria, plants, fish, animals, and humans (4).

Formaldehyde can cause health effects on people’s breathing, may cause headaches, fatigue, lowered body temperature, high levels or long periods exposure such as coma and death and factory workers by poisoning (1).

Alternatives of formalin include carosafe and fomalternate. Carosafe is a propylene glycol-based material. It is safer, far less toxic substitute for preserved specimens. Another alternative include fomalternate. This is also a propylene glycol-based material. It is sold as concentrate to be diluted with water, storage for preserved specimens, but not actual fixation (5).

It may be a contributor to hangover. The liver enzymes converts methanol to formaldehyde, which then convert it to carbon dioxide. When excess acetaldehyde monopolizes the enzymes, formaldehyde is delayed for later detoxification. This then starts to accumulate and hangover can occur (6).

(1) Sclager, N., Weisblatt, J., & Newton D., E. (2006). Formaldehyde. Detroit: UXL.

 (2) The University of British Columbia. (n.d.). UBC searches for safer alternatives to formaldehyde use. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from http://riskmanagement.ubc.ca/news/ubc-searches-safer-alternatives-formaldehyde-use

 (3) Public health statement for formaldehyde. (2008). Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=218&tid=39

(4) American Chemistry Council. (2011). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from http://www.americanchemistry.com/ProductsTechnology/Formaldehyde/Answers-to-FAQs-about-the-Health-Effects-of-Formaldehyde.PDF

(5) PennState. (n.d.) Alternatives to Formalin. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from http://www.ehs.psu.edu/occhealth/Alternatives_to_Formalin.pdf

 (6) Sizer, F., S., & Whitney, E. (2012). Nutrition concepts & controversies. (13e) Retrieved from http://books.google.ca/books?id=MTYXAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA108&lpg=PA108&dq=controversies+Formaldehyde&source=bl&ots=3KX1lCX-uI&sig=ipe3HVsA-uARvEkV4SvpM9Y-m74&hl=en&sa=X&ei=95gqU429INbroATs0IHwAw&ved=0CGcQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=controversies%20Formaldehyde&f=true