formaldehyde - Sciencemadness Dot Org

46
FORMALDEHYDE
Toxicity: Physiological Hazards and Precautions
Formaldehyde solutions and vapors are highly irritating to the mucous
membranes of the eyes, nose, and upper respiratory tracts ;md may also
produce cutaneous irritations. However, if reasonable precautions are
taken, no difficulties are encountered in handling commercial formaldehyde
and the health hazards under proper working conditions are not serious.
Formaldehyde is classed as an "economic poison" by the laws of several
states, but at the present time, it is not considered a poison in Interstate
Commerce Commission regulations.
Fortunately, formaldehyde acts as its own warning agent and harmful
concentrations in the air arc generally made evident by the irritating action
of the vapors. It is stated 1 that workers will not suffer harmful effects if
the concentration of formaldehyde in the air does not exceed 0.025 mg per
liter, or 20 ppm. Concentrations of 20 ppm are reported by Haggard 7 to
become unendurable, but Flury and Zernik 4 believe that this figure is
probably too low. The first symptoms not-iced on exposure to small concentrations
of formaldehyde vapor are burning of the eyes, weeping, and
irritation of the upper respiratory passages. Stronger concentrations produce,
coxighing, constriction in the chest, and a sense of pressure in the
head 3 . Inhaling a large quantity of gas may cause sleeplessness, a feeling
of weakness, and palpitation of the heart 8 . In Home eases, inhalation of
formaldehyde may so affect the nervous system as to cause a condition
similar to alcoholic intoxication 21 . The American Standards Association
has recently approved a new standard setting a safe limit lor allowable
concentrations of formaldehyde in air at 10 ppm by volume" 7 .
The best practice to avoid exposure to formaldehyde vapor is to handle
formaldehyde as much as possible in completely closed equipment. (derations
carried out under partial vacuum lessen fumes in air. Where formaldehyde
must be handled m open containers, forced-draft hoods are of great
value. Good ventilation of buildings is, of course, desirable, Spills may
be neutralized with ammonia and then washed up with water. Gas masks
should be provided when men are required to repair leaks, clean tanks, or
enter any space containing an appreciable concentration of fumes. The
GJMA. black canister gas masks for organic vapors or its equivalent is
suitable for formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde acts on the proteins of the body cells both as an irritant
and tanning agent. This causes hardening of the skin, diminished secretion,
and in some cases a dermatitis usually described as a moist eczema 9 * :0 ,
Although, in general, dermatitis develops only after prolonged contact,
some individuals have or develop hypersensitivity. A person who has been
previously resistant may become acutely sensitive after one severe exposure.
Formaldehyde dermatitis should be treated by a competent physician.