High Level Exposure to Formaldehyde is Hazardous to Human Health
High level exposure to Formaldehyde is hazardous to human health.
What is Formaldehyde?
"Formaldehyde is a common chemical, found primarily used in adhesive or bonding agents for many materials found in households and offices, including carpets, upholstery, particle board, and plywood panelling.”Formaldehyde (HCHO) is considered a strong irritant and potent sensitizer. Inhalation of large amount of HCHO can cause severe irritation of the upper respiratory tract and death. The release of formaldehyde into the air may cause health problems, such as coughing; eye, nose, and throat irritation; skin rashes, headaches, and dizziness.
Data from human exposures indicate that exposure to large concentrations of HCHO gas may lead to pulmonary edema. Even HCHO gas present in the workroom at concentrations of 1 to 11 ppm can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation. Formaldehyde has the potential to cause cancer in humans.
Health Effects:
Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million).
High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions. May cause cancer. May also cause other effects listed under "organic gases."
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is of concern to all of us, since we spend a substantial amount of our time indoors, be it at the office, our home or other commercial buildings and establishments.
To read more on Indoor air quality and environmental health issues, please click on the following link: More on Indoor air quality Singapore