Formaldehyde: effects on the human body by inhalation, straightening keratin. Benefits and harms. Symptoms of poisoning, skin treatment, lungs, nails. Used in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, disinfection

Mankind has learned to use to their advantage, even the most dangerous chemicals which, when uncontrolled use can harm the body and cause death.

One such compound is formaldehyde used in industry, pharmacology and cosmetology. If mistreated chemical has a negative impact on the human body and can seriously harm the health.

Fields of application of formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is toxic gaseous substance with a pungent odor. The advantage is the ability of a chemical to interact with a wide range of other substances, alcoholic solutions, water and other types of solvents.

Because of its quality Formaldehyde is used in many areas:

• Woodworking. The chemical used for the manufacture of an adhesive, which layers are joined chipboard and fiberboard, but also accrue in varnishes, paints and other finishing materials that enhance the attractiveness of wood products.
• food processing industry. Formaldehyde is used as a preservative and disinfectant. It is widely used for smoking products, as well as for the manufacture of products from sugar beet.
• Cosmetology. Formaldehyde is added to shower gels, nail polish, as well as shampoos and creams as a preservative, because it does not allow the development of pathogenic microorganisms in cosmetics. The chemical is released and keratin straightening.
• The medicine. The best known example of application of the formaldehyde, formalin is considered, which contains 40% chemical. Dentists, surgeons, and other doctors disinfect their tools and hands before medical procedures. Also, formalin is used to reduce sweating feet, with his help embalm the body.
  
• pharmaceutics. Formaldehyde is widely used for the production of medicaments, but in low concentrations and only in conjunction with other substances. In industries using chemical create formalinized and ointment Teymurova Athlete's Foot and Lizoform, which is used for syringes.

As a disinfectant and preservative formaldehyde is added to products intended for cleaning.

Sources of formaldehyde

In industrial conditions, this chemical was prepared from methane and methanol, but it is released and in vivo, namely:

• atmosphere;
• tobacco products;
• automobile exhaust gases;
• Emissions of chemical and wood-processing enterprises;
• incineration plants;
• combustion process;
• household items - windows and ceilings made of PVC, toys, household appliances, stationery, tableware, plywood, and most of the furniture, especially the economy segment.

benefits connection

Despite the strong toxicity of formaldehyde, it can bring and use, particularly in the context of pharmaceuticals.

Explicit use in its pure form does not bring the gas, but may be useful for:

• a preservative for cosmetic products;
• disinfector for instrument processing;
  
• medicine increased sweating.

The negative impact of formaldehyde per person

Formaldehyde is recognized as part of a carcinogen as direct evidence of such an effect on human health is not. According to the research has identified a relationship between exposure to substances on the human body and development of cancer.

However, other studies have not confirmed such an effect of the chemical, so the Ministry of Health has chosen the average position, and it does not recommend the use of these preservatives in food products or cosmetics.

If a person is faced with formaldehyde, harm appears immediately in the form of:

• skin rash;
• severe itching;
• irritation.

Prolonged exposure to the chemical may cause:

• persistent headache;
• sleep disorders;
• prostration;
• depressed mood.

With strong manifestations of inflamed eyes and skin diseases appear, the risk of cancer is increased in some cases.

When the formaldehyde level rises too sharply, this condition causes swelling of the mucous membranes of the throat and lungs - the consequences of which could lead to the death of a man poisoned.

If a person inhales formaldehyde gas burns the internal organs, which are involved in the respiratory process. Once on the skin, the concentrated formaldehyde immediately leads to necrosis, as well as the possible development of hepatic or renal insufficiency.

Who are the most exposed to Connection

Formaldehyde (the effect on the human body is inevitable, as the substance is used in many industrial areas) is always present in the shelter and household items in small quantities. However, some isolated groups of people exposed to the toxin stronger.

These include:

• industrial workers interacting with products of formaldehyde;
• residents of the territories, which are located near factories that produce methanol, formaldehyde, furniture, paints, plastics;
• employees of furniture shops;
• employees of enterprises for the manufacture of paper;
• Representatives of electronic industries, textile mills;
• Medical staff working in mortuaries and institutions conducting laboratory tests;
• employees of funeral establishments, which provide services of embalming.

The inhalation of formaldehyde penetration into the body

Inhaled method means that couples substances penetrate through the respiratory tract. Most often, this method of formaldehyde exposure occurs in industries where employees have to deal with its gaseous state and do not have the necessary protection of the respiratory organs.

When formaldehyde is inhaled, immediately suffer bodies involved in the breathing process. First fired the esophagus, and the pair shared also by light, in addition to suffer the bronchi. After some time, the chemical reaches the bone marrow tissue, the intestinal mucosa and salivary glands, suffering and lymphoid tissue, and pancreas. This is reflected in the burning, weakness and nausea.

In high concentrations, formaldehyde is a strong poison, which has the following consequences:

• edema of the larynx and lung, which lead to suffocation;
• circulatory disorders;
• severe pain caused by esophageal burn.

In chronic poisoning, that is, constant exposure to formaldehyde on human health is deteriorating gradually. On the part of the respiratory system there is a constant runny nose, cough and asthma, chronic fatigue one feels, then there is swelling of the respiratory organs.

Oral ingress substance

Accidental ingestion of formaldehyde can occur unknowingly, since the chemical solution can not be distinguished from the standard water. The substance is preferably deposited in the stomach and throat, but is distributed throughout the gastrointestinal tract.

Immediately after release of the substance can be noted poisoning symptoms such as:

• vomiting blood;
• severe diarrhea;
• burning sensation in the nose and throat, to which is added the pain.

As in the case of inhalation ingestion, ingestion can cause swelling of the throat and respiratory failure, requiring urgent medical intervention. When failure to provide adequate medical assistance to formaldehyde will load on the kidneys, causing a hemorrhagic nephritis.

After 12 hours after reaching the stomach, formaldehyde reaches bone marrow, where it has a devastating effect.

Contact with the skin of formaldehyde

Formaldehyde (influence on the human body is defined by symptoms of poisoning) can penetrate the skin, If someone is working with the substance without means of protection or accidentally touched the concentrated chemical.

When the interaction of skin and formaldehyde occurs chemical burns, as well as showing signs of dermatitis, which in the absence of therapy go in eczema, which complicates treatment.

Other consequences of exposure to a chemical agent no less serious:

• Strong headache;
• pronounced weakness;
• itching;
  
• hives;
• Nail disease.

Influence of substances on the immune system

Formaldehyde (influence on the human body can be detrimental) reduces immunity. With prolonged interaction with the substance's immune system is subjected to a powerful shock, which leads to different effects.

They are as follows:

• reduced concentration of lymphocytes;
• A reduced level of immunoglobulin;
• frequent cases of viral and colds;
• developing depression.

As formaldehyde affect reproductive function

Men's reproductive function is restored permanently, and despite the devastating effects of formaldehyde on the sperm, after only three months after treatment, the effects of poisoning disappear. On the women's health affects the chemical is much more serious, and those women who work with chemicals or come under his influence.

The following reproductive disorders may occur:

• disturbed menstrual cycle;
• in pregnancy miscarriage may occur;
• develops algomenoreya;
  
• there are diseases related to the cervix;
• there gipermenstrualny syndrome.

All these diseases are only symptoms suggestive of penetration of formaldehyde or its derivatives in the body. If a woman really could come into contact with the chemical, it is necessary to address urgently to the doctors.

What is the concentration of formaldehyde is considered to be non-hazardous

This chemical is a gas, and thus is the main concentration in the air. Considered valid indicator 0,001 mg / liter. The increased rate of the working premises, but can not be higher than 0,005 mg / liter of air.

If you have these human health indicators does not cause permanent damage, but over time it can feel weak symptoms of poisoning. The possibility of cancer also increases.

Symptoms of chronic and acute poisoning

The effect of formaldehyde on the human body, it was constant, or the concentration became critical immediately gives rise to various symptoms.

Doctors divide poisoning with this substance into two categories: chronic and acute, the first relates to long-term exposure to the chemical, the second is linked to the inhalation, ingestion or contact with the large a dose of the substance.

Poisoning	symptoms
chronic	Severe headache, pale skin and mucous membranes, constant fatigue and disability, reduced body weight, mood changes, regardless of the situation, sleep disorders, the appearance of bronchial asthma, dyspnea.
acute	Dizziness, convulsions, vomiting blood, diarrhea, burning sensation in the oropharynx and stomach, laryngeal and pulmonary edema, dyspnea, loss of motor coordination.

First aid for poisoning

If a person has any symptoms of poisoning formaldehyde, you must:

1. Call an ambulance.
2. Find out which way to come poisoning.
3. Provide symptomatic treatment.

Until the arrival of the doctor must perform the following steps:

• make or remove to the room and the maximum delay the destruction of the source;
• try to deduce poison by calling emesis or gastric lavage.

If a person has lost consciousness, it is necessary to wait for a doctor who uses a gastric tube for washing. Prior to this, the patient must lie on his left side. Physicians as first aid formaldehyde detoxified by introducing ammonia through the mouth or the probe, as ammonium carbonate is used for washing.

Well helps charcoal rate of 1 g / kg weight of human being, which is dissolved in 400 ml of water.

Subsequently coal is removed from the stomach by vomiting reaction. If the solution is got to the skin or eye, should immediately rinse the affected area with purified water or the use of 5% ammonia solution (not applicable for the treatment of the eye).

Therapy formaldehyde poisoning

A man poisoned by formaldehyde, shows treatment in a hospital intensive care unit, which involve a range of activities.

The complex is:

1. Hemodialysis - Blood is passed through the apparatus "artificial kidney", thus purifying, and then returned to the body.
2. Rapid diuresis - is introduced into the vein many isotonic solution, or to 2 liters of glucose, and injected directly diuretic.
3. symptomatic treatment - doctors monitor heart and nervous system, and in violation of prescribed the necessary drugs.
4. Support of liver function - Vitamins are introduced into the body and gepatoprotektory which exclude inoperable affected organ.

Recovery of the body after intoxication

After poisoning cured, and the organism came to normal, usually given a comprehensive examination to detect irreversible changes or deterioration of the human condition.

To reduce the damage and restore the body, the patient is prescribed:

• drinking plenty of fluids;
  
• abolition of fried and salty foods;
• regular airing of the dwelling.

When changes in the internal organs, which provoked formaldehyde may designate drugs for liver, heart, kidney and lungs. The chemical has a personal impact on the human body, and therefore measures of rehabilitation after poisoning them are selected individually for each patient.

Author of the article: Catherine Gordeychuk

Registration of the article: Lozinski Oleg

Video on the influence of formaldehyde

What impact has formaldehyde in the body: