Formaldehyde is a scary-sounding chemical. For many people, the mention of it is enough to make them want to avoid anything it touches, particularly because of its association with embalming and taxidermy.
You may be surprised, then, to learn that this chemical is more common than you may have thought in the household.
Despite its reputation, formaldehyde plays a crucial role in various industries and is carefully regulated to ensure safe usage. It is a key ingredient in building materials, helps prevent bacterial contamination in certain consumer products, and is even present in small amounts in nature, including in the human body.
Understanding where formaldehyde is found and how it is used can help put minds at ease.
In this post:
Key Takeaways
Formaldehyde is widely used in building materials, adhesives, and coatings
It is present in some household products, cosmetics, and medical applications
Many foods naturally contain formaldehyde in small, safe amounts
Regulatory limits help ensure consumer safety in products where formaldehyde is used
Uses Of Formaldehyde
Taking formaldehyde and dissolving it in water forms a compound called formalin, an incredibly useful material that finds its way into manufacturing building materials as well as many household products, but it can also be used as a precursor or ingredient in manufacturing other chemicals. Here are some of the common uses of formaldehyde:
- Building materials: CH₂O is used in the manufacture of building materials, particularly pressed-wood products, which includes particleboard, plywood, and fibreboard. This makes it vital for making furniture, cabinetry, flooring, shelving, mouldings, and countertops.
- Adhesive and coatings: It’s also important in the manufacture of many types of adhesives and glues, paper product coatings, as well as insulation materials.
- Sanitary products: Many consumer products have to be disinfected before use. Formaldehyde is used as one of the primary industrial disinfectants when producing sanitary products like napkins, paper towels, and tissues.
- Medical applications: Formaldehyde is a powerful antiseptic that can kill most viruses and fungi. It’s also used to treat parasitic infections and warts. This chemical is also very effective at killing bacteria and preventing their growth. This makes it great for treating infections like UTIs.
- Fossil fuel processing: CH₂O is essential in processing petroleum and natural gas, where it helps in improving the yield of fuels.
- Food preservation: Formaldehyde occurs naturally in foods like fruit, vegetables, marine fish, crustaceans, and meat, where it’s a by-product of metabolism. The levels of naturally-occurring formaldehyde in food can be as high as 300 to 400 mg/kg. While it’s illegal to use CH₂O as a food preservative, some health regulatory agencies approve its indirect use in some materials that have contact with food, such as for the disinfection of food containers.
- Automotive applications: CH₂O has an important role in making automobiles lighter and more energy efficient. It’s used in manufacturing resins, which in turn are used to make interior moulded components, as well as components under the bonnet that are resistant to high temperatures. Formaldehyde-based resins are also used in the manufacture of exterior primers, which have to be very durable. Clear coat automotive paint, tire cord adhesives, and brake pads are some of the products made from materials that use formaldehyde as a base.
What Products Have Formaldehyde In Them?
Many products are manufactured using CH₂O, but few end products actually contain the chemical itself, because it has already undergone chemical reactions, i.e. it’s been used up. The formaldehyde in many of these products either changes into other chemicals, or is removed from the final product entirely through various processes.
Meanwhile, some goods have a naturally-occurring formaldehyde content, but at relatively low and non-toxic levels.
Examples include:
- Resins: Resins that are used in composite wood products like plywood have formaldehyde in them. These resins are also used in manufacturing paint primers.
- Building insulation: The formaldehyde in resins remains in products that are manufactured using resins. These include composite wood materials and building insulations.
- Finishes: Some paints and lacquers that are used in households contain this chemical in trace amounts.
- Consumer products: Cosmetics, washing up liquids, fabric softeners, and other related household items typically contain small amounts of formaldehyde.
- Burning: Anything that has hydrocarbon chains in it produces some formaldehyde when burned. This includes lit cigarettes and even wood-burning stoves.
- Food items: Formaldehyde is a natural by-product of cellular metabolism. In a nutshell, this means that humans and other animals produce it. One way it’s produced in the human body is through the oxidation of vitamin B9 by enzymes. Similarly, plants and animals that we use as a food source can naturally produce CH₂O.
What Foods Have CH₂O In Them?
Formaldehyde naturally occurs in many foods, as it is a by-product of normal metabolic processes. Fruits such as apples, pears, and bananas contain small amounts of formaldehyde, which contributes to their natural preservation. Vegetables like carrots, onions, and Brussels sprouts also have trace levels of formaldehyde.
Seafood, particularly fish and shellfish, tends to have higher concentrations of formaldehyde. This is because it helps slow down spoilage and preserve freshness after harvesting. Meats and dairy products also contain minor amounts due to the metabolic processes in animals.
These naturally occurring levels of formaldehyde in food are considered safe for consumption. Regulatory bodies monitor food safety standards to ensure that formaldehyde exposure from diet remains within acceptable limits.
Here are some examples of naturally-occurring formaldehyde concentrations in food:
- Meat and poultry contain around 5.7 to 20 mg/kg of formaldehyde
- Milk: 0.01 to 0.8 mg/kg
- Fish: 6.4 to 293 mg/kg
- Sugar: 0.75 mg/kg
- Coffee: 3.4 to 16 mg/kg
Is There Formaldehyde In Hair Dye?
Some hair dye products contain formaldehyde-releasing agents, which act as preservatives to prevent bacterial growth. While these compounds may release small amounts of formaldehyde over time, the levels in commercial hair dyes are generally low and fall within safety regulations.
Still, this does make it carcinogenic, explaining why the excessive use of hair dye has been linked to higher cancer risks.
For occasional users of hair dye, however, formaldehyde exposure is unlikely to pose any health risks. However, hairdressers and professionals who frequently handle these products may want to take precautions, such as wearing gloves and working in well-ventilated areas, to minimise long-term exposure.
If you are concerned about formaldehyde in hair dye, there are many alternative products available that use different preservatives or are specifically labelled as formaldehyde-free.
Is There Formaldehyde In Nail Polish?
Some nail hardeners and nail polish products contain formaldehyde, though it can be named on the product label as formalin or methylene glycol. In nail hardeners, this is actually a necessary chemical because it naturally bonds with the keratin protein in nails. As a result, the nail becomes harder.
Overusing nail polish without giving nails time to breathe, however, can increase the risk of irritation and weakening. Choosing polishes labelled as “3-free” or “5-free,” which exclude formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals, can be a safer option.
Is There Formaldehyde In Vaccines?
Formaldehyde is used in the production of some vaccines to ‘deactivate’ viruses and bacteria, ensuring that the vaccine is safe and effective. The amount of formaldehyde left in the final product is minimal and well below levels that could cause harm.
The human body naturally produces formaldehyde as part of normal metabolism, and the amount in vaccines is much lower than what is already present in the body at any given time. Regulatory agencies carefully monitor vaccine safety, and formaldehyde in vaccines poses no known health risk.
Is There Formaldehyde In Cigarettes?
Cigarette smoke contains formaldehyde as a by-product of combustion. This exposure is far greater than what would be encountered from other sources such as food or household products.
Long-term exposure to formaldehyde in cigarette smoke has been linked to cancer, respiratory issues and other health concerns.
Is There Formaldehyde In Decaf Coffee?
Coffee beans naturally contain formaldehyde, though it’s at a trace, non-toxic level. Some decaffeination processes use formaldehyde-based solvents, but modern methods have largely phased out this practice.
Today, most decaf coffee is produced using water, carbon dioxide, or ethyl acetate methods, which do not involve formaldehyde.
Should I be Worried About Formaldehyde?
For most people, everyday exposure to formaldehyde is minimal and well within safe limits. While it is present in a variety of products, regulations ensure that exposure levels remain low and unlikely to cause harm.
Those with specific sensitivities or occupational exposure should take precautions, such as using well-ventilated spaces and choosing products with lower formaldehyde content. If you are concerned about indoor air quality, simple steps like increasing ventilation and using air purifiers can help reduce formaldehyde levels.
Understanding where formaldehyde is found and how it is regulated can help alleviate concerns. In most cases, its presence in consumer products and food poses no significant health risk.
Conclusion
Formaldehyde is a widely used compound with applications in construction, healthcare, and consumer goods. While it is naturally present in some foods and household products, its use is carefully regulated to ensure safety. Concerns about formaldehyde are often linked to misinformation or misunderstanding of its role in manufacturing and preservation. In reality, most exposure levels are far below harmful thresholds, and precautions are in place to protect consumers.
