FORMALDEHYDE ______Name ______DateDate also called…formalin, formic aldehyde, methanal, methyl aldehyde, methylene oxide, oxomethane, oxymethylene, morbicid acid. Formaldehyde is released by these common preservatives: quaternium-15 (Dowicil or 1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azonia-adamantane- chloride), DMDM hydantoin (Glydant or 1,3-dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin), diazolidinyl urea (Germall II), imidazolidinyl urea (Germall, imidurea), 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol), and in industry tris nitromethane (Tris Nitro). What is it? Formaldehyde is a disinfectant and preservative. Where might it be found? Photographic developer Make-up remover, toner Mildew resistant finish, preservative Moisturizing cream, lotion Embalming fluid, tissue fixative Make-up, concealer, powder Waterproof glue, adhesive, rubber cement Blush, bronzer Latex emulsions, ink solutions, etching material Mascara, eye pencil, shadow Water-based paint, paint primer, paint stripper Shampoo, body cleanser Wax, polish, wood cleaner, waterproof finish Hair conditioner, tonic, spray Plywood, masonite, particle board, MDF Hair styling gel, mousse Asphalt shingles, flooring, filling agents Sunscreen, sunless tanner Smoke from wood, coal, kerosene, charcoal Body powder, talcum powder Natural gas combustion, cigar & cigarette smoke Mouthwash Aftershave, antiperspirant How to avoid it: Bubble bath, liquid soap To eliminate exposure to formaldehyde, check the Feminine hygiene spray, rinse complete ingredient list of each product you use. Nail polish, cuticle remover Check prescription medicines and creams too. Fingernail hardener Look for any of the names above. For products Dishwashing liquid, cleaner already at home with no ingredient list, go to the Laundry starch, anti-static store and inspect the original box or package. Facial tissue Some product ingredient lists are available on the Moistened tissue, baby wipes internet website of the manufacturer or store, or at Paper, paper products, pulp websites like Newsprint, cardboard http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov , Magazines, glazed paper http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com , or Grocery sacks, plastic bags http://www.drugstore.com . Wet-strength paper towels Currency, paper money Ask your hairdresser, manicurist, physician, Photocopier toner nurse, and others to avoid using products Root canal disinfectant containing formaldehyde-related ingredients in Orthopedic casts your care. Foam insulation To identify possible workplace exposure, check Bonded leather the complete ingredient list of each product you Fire-resistant clothing encounter. It may be necessary to contact the Fertilizer manufacturer to learn if some form of Pet care products formaldehyde is present. (continued) Additional possible sources: Foods: Some formaldehyde sheets; interlining; upholstery and carpet fabric, allergic persons experience padding, backing; wall fabric; agricultural flares when they eat or drink coverings and seed storage; filters, envelopes, these items: aspartame tags, labels; insulation; roofing products; and (NutraSweet, Equal), coffee geotextiles. (especially instant), maple syrup, cod fish, smoked ham, Wood : Building materials such as particle board, dried bean curd, shitake MDF, and plywood contain urea-formaldehyde mushrooms, and caviar. glues. Sawdust from these materials may Formaldehyde may remain on produce dermatitis. vegetables and fruits treated for mildew prevention. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives may be present in some prescription skin products: Skin products : Herbal or botanical extracts and Atopiclair essential oils may contain Benzoyl peroxide wash traces of formaldehyde left Calcipotriene cream over from the extraction Clobetasol propionate emollient cream process. It will not be named Crotamiton lotion as an ingredient. Fluticasone cream and lotion Halobetasol propionate cream Clothing : It is possible to Hydrocortisone 2.5% lotion come in contact with Ketoconazole shampoo formaldehyde in phenolic Permethrin cream resins and urea plastics in Tretinoin emollient cream jewelry, buttons, and footwear. Unna’s boot Skin friction and sweating may leach formaldehyde from Some safe alternatives: certain fabrics. Ask your doctor if you should also avoid There are many preservatives that are not related clothing and bed linens made to formaldehyde. Unless you have also tested of such fabrics. allergic to them, these should be safe: phenoxyethanol, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Paper and textiles : paraben, methylchloroisothiazolinone and Formaldehyde is used in many methylisothiazolinone, and methyl paper products to improve dibromoglutaronitrile. resistance to water, grease, and shrinkage. Additionally, Formaldehyde-free products include Marcal paper some non-woven fibers carry goods, Grumbacher art paper, and Boncour residual formaldehyde from acrylic paint. Organic cotton free of formaldehyde their production. These may is available from many sources. be found in disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and [Quaternium compounds other than quaternium-15, such as quaternium-18, do not release formaldehyde tampons; sterile gowns, caps, and do not cross-react. Recently the formaldehyde drapes, and masks; household releaser sodium hydroxymethylglycinate did react. ] and personal wipes; dryer
Formaldehyde
