The chemical formula for formaldehyde gas is HCOH. Formaldehyde gas is a result of formaldehyde chemicals evaporating into the atmosphere. The chemical itself, concentrated, is flammable and accompanied by a strong odor. It is commonly found in automobile tailpipe emissions, pressed wood products, cigarette smoke, gas stoves, and kerosene heaters. It is the “raw material used for manufacturing synthetic resin, paints, plastics and synthetic fibres” (Formacare 2013). Exposure to formaldehyde causes dermatitis, allergic reactions, rashes, and possibly cancers (most commonly leukemia). A molecule of formaldehyde is structured with two hydrogen molecules attached to a carbon molecule, with a double bond with oxygen. The structure of a formaldehyde molecule is unstable, and this instability causes the formaldehyde molecules to “break down in a messy way that causes damage to other molecules near them” (Erskine, 2011). Formaldehyde’s instability causes it to want to be stable, and proteins are rather inviting to it. Upon contact, formaldehyde crosslinks proteins to other proteins (possibly even DNA), and in the process “renders the fraction of vulnerable proteins and DNA that the formaldehyde was in direct physical contact with permanently dysfunctional or useless”(Erskine, 2011). This also explains how formaldehyde can preserve tissues – proteins are permanently binded and even the decomposers that crave the tissue are effected by formaldehyde. Formaldehyde’s craving for stability makes it toxic to all life forms WHAT IS FORMALDEHYDE. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.formaldehydecare.com/what-is-formaldehyde.html Erskine, H. (2011). Molecular Level Answers. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://drholly.typepad.com/question_and_answer_forum/2011/06/th.html
Formaldehyde, although toxic, is a chemical that humans are frequently exposed to. It is a carcinogen. Rats that are exposed to formaldehyde are likely to get nasal cancer. In people, long-term exposure to formaldehyde may give higher risks of causing cancer of the nasopharynx, nasal cancer, and myeloid leukemia. Exposure to formaldehyde renders abnormally high levels of chromosome changes in early white blood cells in the bone marrow, commencing the early stages of leukemia. Inhaling formaldehyde with concentrations 1.9 parts per million within a time span of 40 minutes does not raise the blood levels of formaldehyde. However, when formaldehyde is present in the air at a concentration of 0.1 part per million, some may experience mild formaldehyde poisoning. This exposure may raise one’s chances of developing cancer even if the levels are low enough not to elicit symptoms out of the host. The higher the level and the longer duration one is exposed to formaldehyde, “the greater the chance of getting cancer” (CDC). What You Should Know about Formaldehyde. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/drywall/docs/WhatYouShouldKnowaboutFormaldehyde.pdf
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ReplyDeleteThe chemical formula for formaldehyde gas is HCOH. Formaldehyde gas is a result of formaldehyde chemicals evaporating into the atmosphere. The chemical itself, concentrated, is flammable and accompanied by a strong odor. It is commonly found in automobile tailpipe emissions, pressed wood products, cigarette smoke, gas stoves, and kerosene heaters. It is the “raw material used for manufacturing synthetic resin, paints, plastics and synthetic fibres” (Formacare 2013). Exposure to formaldehyde causes dermatitis, allergic reactions, rashes, and possibly cancers (most commonly leukemia). A molecule of formaldehyde is structured with two hydrogen molecules attached to a carbon molecule, with a double bond with oxygen. The structure of a formaldehyde molecule is unstable, and this instability causes the formaldehyde molecules to “break down in a messy way that causes damage to other molecules near them” (Erskine, 2011). Formaldehyde’s instability causes it to want to be stable, and proteins are rather inviting to it. Upon contact, formaldehyde crosslinks proteins to other proteins (possibly even DNA), and in the process “renders the fraction of vulnerable proteins and DNA that the formaldehyde was in direct physical contact with permanently dysfunctional or useless”(Erskine, 2011). This also explains how formaldehyde can preserve tissues – proteins are permanently binded and even the decomposers that crave the tissue are effected by formaldehyde. Formaldehyde’s craving for stability makes it toxic to all life forms
ReplyDeleteWHAT IS FORMALDEHYDE. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.formaldehydecare.com/what-is-formaldehyde.html
Erskine, H. (2011). Molecular Level Answers. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://drholly.typepad.com/question_and_answer_forum/2011/06/th.html
Hi Hanna, I understand that formaldehyde is also a carcinogen. Can you tell me a little bit about this? How much exposure is dangerous?
DeleteFormaldehyde, although toxic, is a chemical that humans are frequently exposed to. It is a carcinogen. Rats that are exposed to formaldehyde are likely to get nasal cancer. In people, long-term exposure to formaldehyde may give higher risks of causing cancer of the nasopharynx, nasal cancer, and myeloid leukemia. Exposure to formaldehyde renders abnormally high levels of chromosome changes in early white blood cells in the bone marrow, commencing the early stages of leukemia. Inhaling formaldehyde with concentrations 1.9 parts per million within a time span of 40 minutes does not raise the blood levels of formaldehyde. However, when formaldehyde is present in the air at a concentration of 0.1 part per million, some may experience mild formaldehyde poisoning. This exposure may raise one’s chances of developing cancer even if the levels are low enough not to elicit symptoms out of the host. The higher the level and the longer duration one is exposed to formaldehyde, “the greater the chance of getting cancer” (CDC).
DeleteWhat You Should Know about Formaldehyde. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/drywall/docs/WhatYouShouldKnowaboutFormaldehyde.pdf
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