Formaldehyde: myths vs facts

The name formaldehyde might be familiar to many, but the general public are unlikely to be affected by the chemical itself. However, for those who work with formaldehyde, there are serious risks. Here, we look at some common misconceptions surrounding formaldehyde and how Cura Terrae can help keep your workforce protected.

What is formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling chemical that is a gas under normal conditions.  When dissolved in water, it is known as formalin. This is usually how it is distributed, but it can vaporise readily when used.

Myth 1: Formaldehyde isn’t natural

Formaldehyde is produced from carbon compounds, which are ubiquitous in nature. The chemical is released from natural phenomena, such as forest fires and volcanoes, as well as during decomposition processes. It can also be produced in the atmosphere, and is even formed in very small amounts in living organisms (including humans) during cellular metabolism.

Myth 2: Formaldehyde isn’t common

Industrially, formaldehyde is created from methanol in the formox process and is classified as a “high-production-volume chemical” because it is produced at levels greater than 1,000 tonnes per producer/importer per year. Formaldehyde’s properties mean that it often features in our lives:

• Manufacturing – Formaldehyde is used in the production of wood products, pulp and paper, synthetic fibres, plastics and coatings, and textiles.
• Construction – Some of the above products may be used as building materials. Formaldehyde-urea is also used as an insulating material in construction.
• Antiseptic – Formaldehyde (or formalin) is effective at killing disease-causing microorganisms, so has been used as a disinfectant in hospitals and in other medical applications.
• Consumer products – Formaldehyde may be present in household furniture, furnishings, adhesives, paints, varnishes, detergents or cleaning agents. It may also be used (under restriction) in cosmetics.
• Indoor sources – Formaldehyde is produced during combustion and so it can be generated indoors from smoking, cooking, and/or burning incense.
• Preservative – Formaldehyde (or formalin) has been used to store and preserve samples in laboratories or museums. Artist Damien Hirst famously submerged a shark (and other animals) in formalin in the 1990s.

Myth 3: Everyone’s at risk from formaldehyde

The general public may become exposed to formaldehyde via one or more of the above. However, this very low-level exposure is unlikely to have adverse health effects. Indeed, the very small amounts of formaldehyde that humans produce are metabolised quickly. It doesn’t accumulate in the environment either, as it is quickly broken down by sunlight or bacteria. However, if your workplace uses formaldehyde, it could become a health concern.

So, what are the risks?

• Inhaling formaldehyde can cause irritation of the nose, mouth, and respiratory tract. In severe cases, an individual may suffer respiratory distress and/or swelling.
• Ingestion of formaldehyde from eating or drinking formalin can cause burns, ulcers, or bleeding in the stomach or intestines, as well as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It can also affect the cardiovascular, renal, and respiratory systems.
• Skin contact with formaldehyde (or formalin) can cause irritation, blisters, rashes, and a lasting skin allergy. Our eyes are highly sensitive to formaldehyde. In the air, it may cause eye irritation, whereas ocular contact with highly concentrated formalin solutions can damage vision.

Long periods of exposure can cause cancers of the nose and blood. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified formaldehyde as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) in 2004.

For more detail on the health effects of formaldehyde, see the UK government’s toxicological overview here.

Myth 4: Workplaces that use formaldehyde are guaranteed to be safe

One study states that, in the European Union, 1.7 million workers are exposed to concentrations of formaldehyde that could pose a risk to their health. There are a number of regulations in place to prevent harm (which we summarise below); however, procedures must be correctly followed and understood in order to protect workers. Cura Terra can help you make sure of this.

Key regulations relevant to formaldehyde include:

• UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (UK REACH) – Under UK REACH, businesses that manufacture or import large quantities of formaldehyde are required to register with the UK Health and Safety Executive. They must define the uses and handling of the substance so that an evaluation of risks to people and the environment can be made. Formaldehyde is under consideration as a “substance of very high concern” (SVHC), which might mean it’s use has to be authorised. It is already subject to restrictions.
• Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) – WELs are the concentrations of hazardous substances in air that cannot be exceeded without endangering workers’ health. You can view current WELs here. For formaldehyde, the limit is 2 ppm or 2.5 mg/m3, regardless of whether it is a short-term or long-term exposure. However, because formaldehyde is a classified carcinogen, levels must be kept “as low as reasonably practical”.
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations – There are a number of COSHH regulations which apply to organisations that use substances with the potential to cause ill health. Employers must assess the risks posed by hazardous substances and prevent exposure. If prevention is not possible, control measures should be introduced and must be maintained. Providing workers with relevant instruction and training is also a requirement under COSHH Regulation 12.

Cura Terrae can help you with compliance

Our team of occupational hygiene professionals are experts in ensuring the safety of your workers and workplace. We can support you in complying with the above regulations, including with:

• Completing your COSHH Risk Assessment.
• Determining suitable controls to reduce risks from hazardous substances.
• Workplace Air Monitoring to confirm that your controls are effective.
• Workplace Air Monitoring to avoid exceedance of Workplace Exposure Limits.
• Testing Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) to ensure its functioning.
• Tailored Health and Safety Awareness Training for your workforce.

Don’t work with formaldehyde directly, but still concerned about it? As noted above, formaldehyde features in many common products, although the UK Government states that, if used correctly, these products are not expected to present a danger to public health. All the same, formaldehyde may accumulate indoors, such as in offices. Low levels may cause non-toxic sensory irritation, such as headaches and nausea, and could contribute to the development of Sick Building Syndrome, where people feel unwell and uncomfortable in their indoor environment. If this resonates with you, Cura Terrae can provide Indoor Air Quality Testing and recommend remedial actions. For instance, we can let you know whether your workplace conforms to the WHO Indoor Air Quality Guideline for formaldehyde of 0.1 mg/m3.