Formaldehyde - what is it?The word is heard, it should be all at least once in life, but what does it mean, he knows not everyone.What associations at the mention of this matter?Hard to say?Meanwhile formaldehyde surrounds us everywhere.
What is formaldehyde?
First of all, formaldehyde - a gas.It is naturally formed not only in the environment, but in our body.Besides, it is obtained by manufacturing.Few people know, but we are in contact with this substance continuously.It gets into our body by inhalation.In addition, people routinely uses products containing formaldehyde in small amounts (eg, bath foam and shampoo).
Getting formaldehyde
main industrial method of producing formaldehyde - is the oxidation of methanol.It is carried out using a silver catalyst.This process takes place at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 650 degrees.Oxidation of methanol are well utilized and approximately 80 percent of formaldehyde was prepared by this method.But lately there is an active development of a promising new method, which uses iron-molybdenum catalyst.This reaction proceeds at a temperature of 300 degrees.In both methods, the conversion has a very high percentage (almost 99%).
Preparation formaldehyde is also possible in the dehydrogenation of methanol.It is carried out with the participation of zinc and copper catalysts.The required temperature - 600 degrees.Although this method has not yet found a wide application.However, it is considered very promising.It allows you to get a formaldehyde-free water.
The use of formaldehyde
Upon receipt of this material is the only side effect - it is the oxidation of formaldehyde.This release toxic substances.Unfortunately, this process is active at room temperature.
Despite this, formaldehyde is widely used in many areas of industrial production.The aqueous solution - metandiol - causes denaturation of proteins.This feature allows the use of formaldehyde, a substance in the tanning industry.He also has excellent tanning properties, which is very useful in medicine.Formaldehyde is recognized as a strong antiseptic as well as an excellent preservative for biological materials.But that's not all.The substance in question is used in furniture and woodworking industry, in particular, it is necessary for the manufacture of plywood.Finally, the formaldehyde is used in the production of Film-films.
Cosmetology
sometimes in some shampoos and bath products include such a dangerous substance for humans, such as formaldehyde.What is dangerous, there is no doubt.After all, it is - a very strong and highly effective preservative.But it is never in a pure form is not contained in shampoos.Even more so - in the means to care for the child.Formaldehyde gets in their composition as a result of the collapse of other chemicals - releasers.
Many foam bath are stored for a long time thanks to these components.Releasers slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde.This helps prevent occurrence of fungi and bacteria in shampoos.
How dangerous is formaldehyde?
Based on the above information, it is unclear what is a formaldehyde.What is it - a dangerous poison and harmless components of soaps and detergents?Of course, in large doses, it poses a threat to human health.But formaldehyde may penetrate into the body does not only by contact with cosmetic products.The fact that it penetrates into the lungs and the blood by air.Here are just some of the sources of the toxin:
- tobacco smoke;
- exhaust gases;
- an open flame;
- gas stoves;
- glue;
- disinfectants;
- nail polish;
- new carpets and rugs;
- Shampoo for carpet cleaning;
- new furniture from particle board.
What happens if inhaled formaldehyde?In humans, it causes irritation of the nose and eyes.It affects the lungs.Many scientists seriously believed that some cases of asthma in children is associated with this gas.There are fears that with prolonged contact with formaldehyde in high concentrations can form cancerous tumors.Studies have shown that this substance - quite strong carcinogen and laboratory animal experiments have confirmed this hypothesis.However, it is proved that when in contact with skin formaldehyde promotes the development of cancer.
What about formaldehyde?
So, one of the most dangerous carcinogens that surround us every day, is formaldehyde.What is a harmful substance for humans, it has been proved.But what else do we know about him, except that the gas enters the lungs during inspiration and is not able to hit the skin?Penetrating into the body, formaldehyde and decomposes very rapidly excreted in the urine and exhalation (carbon dioxide).
People who permanently live in the big industrial cities, in large areas of built high-rise buildings are exposed to formaldehyde in high concentrations, than those who live in villages and towns.The probability of exposure to this harmful substance in larger rooms than outdoors.
What is known about formaldehyde?
In fact, despite the fact that formaldehyde is well studied, yet remain controversial issues about the impact of this gas on the body.For example, it is not known whether adult less sensitive to the substance than children.Scientists and physicians opinion on the issue diverge.But when you consider that the child inspiratory volume of air per kilogram higher than that of adults, the assumption of their higher sensitivity to formaldehyde is justified.
threat to human health
Effect of formaldehyde per person is very harmful and dangerous.This gas has expressed mutagenic properties.It also acts as an irritant and severe allergies.Prolonged contact with the human environment in which the gas is dispersed, may trigger the development of cancer.Most commonly diagnosed cancer of the respiratory tract.The possibility of development and other severe forms, including leukemia.
Symptoms of poisoning organism formaldehyde include: headache, shortness of breath, depression psychological state.If the gas concentration reaches a critical level of human health, it can cause respiratory paralysis, which leads to death.The presence of formaldehyde in the environment may also indicate pulmonary edema and conjunctivitis.
What other diseases can cause formaldehyde?The reactions of decomposition in the body cause significant harm to health.Penetrating into the digestive system, the gas can cause a chemical burn her, trigger numerous edema and even respiratory arrest.As a solution of formaldehyde, formalin is also able to harm our body.People who, because of their professional duties, sometimes have to deal with this matter, felt by all manifestations of poisoning: symptoms of asthma, severe headaches, conjunctivitis, damage to the nervous system.
How to regulate the content of formaldehyde in the product?
In many countries, the state provides control over the content of formaldehyde as a carcinogen.For example, in the UK allowable concentration of the gas in the air and water is regulated by law.Exceeding it is unacceptable, it always entails responsibility.Such a serious approach to this dangerous toxin observed in almost all developed countries.There are also certain limitations in the workplace, where there is a production or use formaldehyde.The European Union stipulates the use of this substance in cosmetic products, including shampoos, bath foams, nail varnish.In this production of formaldehyde releasers should be present in minor concentrations.If the content exceeds the norm, this should be indicated on the label.And in some countries, formalin is generally prohibited.For example, in Japan and Sweden any content of this substance in cosmetic products is unacceptable.
How to be and what to do?
Should we be afraid of such a substance, such as formaldehyde?Health formula, of course, does not include the effect of the gas.Meanwhile, the trouble to avoid contact with said irritant impossible.Formaldehyde is a part of some of the funds for the bath, it is even in some children's shampoos.However, the manufacturers claim that it is unlikely that the baby will be irritated to such an insignificant concentration.So that such contact is completely safe.But if a child has an idiosyncrasy, the irritation can occur even with such miniscule amounts.Therefore parents before buying cosmetics crumbs need to pay attention to the label.
How to minimize the harmful effect?
Phenol formaldehyde - highly toxic substance.Weaken its effect is difficult.When gas is in the body, it varies.The decay is transformed into formic acid or methyl alcohol.Of course, the best defense against this is to avoid a carcinogen locations and areas where it may be present in high concentrations.First of all, traffic jams, industrial areas, furniture factories.It is also recommended not to stay in rooms that are poorly ventilated.In addition, you should know that many houseplants can absorb formaldehyde from the air (such as Chlorophytum, ivy, ficus).
