Formaldehyde is always present in our daily lives and poses a serious threat to our health. So where can we find formaldehyde in our daily lives? How harmful is formaldehyde to the human body? Let's take a look together!
What is formaldehyde
Formaldehyde, with the chemical formula HCHO or CH?O, has a molecular weight of 30.03 and is also known as formalin. It is colorless and has irritating effects on the eyes and nose.
Where can we find formaldehyde
1. Construction materials
If adhesives, paints, and coatings are used in home decoration materials, formaldehyde is inevitably present. Various artificial wood-based panels such as plywood, particleboard, and fiberboard all contain formaldehyde.
2. Chemical industry
Plastic products, dyes, paints, adhesives, and other chemical products also contain formaldehyde.
In our daily lives, we come across many items that contain formaldehyde, such as plastic bottles, travel bags, glue, and paint. It is impossible to avoid!
3. Textile industry
In the production process of textile products, formaldehyde is added to make the printed colors more durable.
When using these products, formaldehyde can cause irritation to the respiratory tract and skin mucosa.
Therefore, we must wash clothes, bed sheets, duvet covers, curtains, and other textile products after purchasing them.
4. Food industry
Formaldehyde is used in the scientific research field to preserve biological specimens. In fact, it is a 35%-40% solution of formaldehyde.
Some unscrupulous businesses in daily life add formaldehyde to food (such as chicken feet, pig's trotters, etc.) to make them more durable.
The dangers of formaldehyde
One of the most feared diseases for humans is cancer, and formaldehyde happens to be a "accomplice" of cancer!
If the concentration of formaldehyde released is high, it can cause irritation to the mucous membranes, skin, and respiratory tract, leading to allergies, chest tightness, and various discomforts.
If one is exposed to an environment with excessive formaldehyde for a long time, formaldehyde will gradually penetrate the body, endangering various major systems and even causing liver toxicity, leukemia, cancer, and so on!
