Many people may have heard from the news about unscrupulous traders using formaldehyde to soak chicken feet and lychees. While we pay attention to such news, are we aware of the harm that this method can cause to the human body?
Skin Damage
According to many medical reports, direct contact of the human skin with formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions, dermatitis, or eczema. Symptoms such as itching, redness, dermatitis, and necrosis may occur. Especially for those who have long-term exposure to formaldehyde in their work, such phenomena often appear.
Therefore, it is important to be cautious of direct contact between the skin and formaldehyde. If accidentally exposed, it should be immediately washed with water.
Carcinogenic Effects
Many scientific studies and animal experiments have already indicated that long-term exposure to formaldehyde can lead to the development of cancer.
If exposed to formaldehyde for a long time, the trace amounts of methanol in it will remain in the human body. Approximately 35% of it can be metabolized into formic acid and excreted through urine, while the remaining 65% can continue to be metabolized into carbon dioxide and water. During this process, it may cause cell degeneration and deformity.
Irritation of the Respiratory System
The main component of formaldehyde is methanol, and methanol is highly volatile and irritating. If accidentally inhaled, it can easily irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and respiratory tract. Symptoms can include mild pain, coughing, excessive phlegm, insomnia, nausea, and headache. In severe cases, it can cause inflammation and edema of the respiratory tract, and if accidentally ingested, it can be fatal.
How to Prevent Formaldehyde Poisoning
Formaldehyde is a water solution of methanol and is usually stored between 23℃ and 26℃. If the temperature rises, it can cause formaldehyde to evaporate. Therefore, in order to avoid formaldehyde poisoning, in addition to avoiding accidental ingestion, it is also important to prevent the external environment temperature from being too high, which can cause formaldehyde to evaporate and lead to poisoning.
