Formaldehyde (HCHO or CH2O): Unraveling the Impact on Pollution, Health, Safety Limits, and Solutions.
In today's fast-paced world, air pollution is a major problem. Various pollutants are responsible for polluting the air; formaldehyde, i.e., CH20, is among them. So here in this article, we will focus on formaldehyde-CH20 as a pollutant, its health effects, safety limits, and effective solutions, all with respect to industrial air quality improvement.
What is formaldehyde-CH20?
Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring organic compound with the molecular formula HCHO, or, in common names,methanol. It is made up of two hydrogen molecules, a single carbon molecule, and a single oxygen molecule.
Uses of formaldehyde:
Formaldehyde is used mainly to produce resins used in particleboard products and as an intermediate in the synthesis of other chemicals. Formaldehyde is used in many industries, such as glues and resins, dyes, textiles, disinfectants, building materials, automobile parts, embalming, and laboratories.
Sources of formaldehyde:
According to inchem.org, here are the sources of formaldehyde:
Natural sources
Formaldehyde occurs naturally in the environment and is the product of many natural processes. It is released during biomass combustion, such as in forest and brush fires (Howard, 1989; Reinhardt, 1991). In water, it is also formed by the irradiation of hemic substances by sunlight (Kleber et al., 1990).
As a metabolic intermediate, formaldehyde is present at low levels in most living organisms. It is emitted by bacteria, algae, plankton, and vegetation.
Anthropogenic sources
Anthropogenic sources of formaldehyde include direct sources such as fuel combustion, industrial on-site uses, and off-gassing from building materials and consumer products.
Industrial releases of formaldehyde can occur at any stage during the production, use, storage, transport, or disposal of products with residual formaldehyde. Formaldehyde has been detected in emissions from chemical manufacturing plants. Formaldehyde has been detected in the off-gassing of formaldehyde products such as wood panels, latex paints, new carpets, textile products, and resins. While emission rates have been estimated for some of these sources, there is insufficient data to estimate total releases. In some countries, there have been regulatory and voluntary initiatives to control emissions from building materials and furnishings, since these are recognized as the major sources of elevated concentrations of formaldehyde in indoor air.
How are people exposed to formaldehyde?
People are exposed primarily by inhaling formaldehyde gas or vapor from the air or by absorbing liquids containing formaldehyde through the skin. Workers who produce formaldehyde or products that contain formaldehyde—as well as laboratory technicians, certain health care professionals, and mortuary employees—may be exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde than people in the general population.
The general public may be exposed to formaldehyde by breathing contaminated air from sources such as pressed-wood products, tobacco smoke, and automobile tailpipe emissions. Another potential source of exposure to formaldehyde is the use of unvented fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves, wood-burning stoves, and kerosene heaters.
Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to formaldehyde include the following:
Agricultural workers who work in confinement livestock production
Construction workers who work with resin-manufactured products
Workers who manufacture plastics, resins, and foam insulation
Morticians in the embalming process
Beauticians who apply dyes and smoothing products
Health Impacts of Formaldehyde on Workers:
There are various health concerns for workers due to formaldehyde inhalation.
As per EPA documentation, the following health impacts have been found due to exposure to formaldehyde:
Acute Effects:
The major toxic effects caused by acute formaldehyde exposure via inhalation are eye, nose, and throat irritation and effects on the nasal cavity. Other effects seen from exposure to high levels of formaldehyde in humans are coughing, wheezing, chest pains, and bronchitis. Ingestion exposure to formaldehyde in humans has resulted in corrosion of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammation, and ulceration of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
Chronic Effects (Noncancer):
Chronic exposure to formaldehyde by inhalation in humans has been associated with respiratory symptoms and eye, nose, and throat irritation.
Repeated contact with liquid solutions of formaldehyde has resulted in skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis in humans.
Reproductive/Developmental Effects:
An increased incidence of menstrual disorders was observed in female workers using urea-formaldehyde resins. However, possible confounding factors were not evaluated in this study. (1,2) A study of hospital equipment sterilization workers did not report an association between formaldehyde exposure and increased spontaneous abortions.
Developmental effects, such as birth defects, have not been observed in animal studies with formaldehyde.
Cancer Risk:
Occupational studies have noted statistically significant associations between exposure to formaldehyde and an increased incidence of lung and nasopharyngeal cancer. This evidence is considered "limited." rather than "sufficient" due to possible exposure to other agents that may have contributed to the excess cancer.
In short, formaldehyde is responsible for the following health effects on workers (Categorization of Health Effects):
Short-term:
Exposure to breathing formaldehyde can cause:
Irritation of the nose, eyes, and throat
Neurological effects
Headache
Nausea
Increased risk of asthma and allergies
Skin contact with formaldehyde can cause:
Skin irritation and eczema
Swallowing formaldehyde can cause:
Gastrointestinal irritation
Long-term:
Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause:
Cancer
Bronchitis
Shortness of breath
Safety Limits and Precautions for Formaldehyde Exposure:
As per OSHA standards, here are the precautions and safety measures that should be taken by the employer to control exposure to formaldehyde:
Airborne concentrations of formaldehyde above 0.1 ppm can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. The severity of irritation intensifies as concentrations increase. Provisions of the OSHA standard require employers to do the following: • Identify all workers who may be exposed to formaldehyde at or above the action level or STEL through initial monitoring and determine their exposure.
Reassign workers who suffer significant adverse effects from formaldehyde exposure to jobs with significantly less or no exposure until their condition improves. Reassignment may continue for up to 6 months until the worker is determined to be able to return to the original job or to be unable to return to work, whichever comes first.
Implement feasible engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain worker exposure to formaldehyde at or below the 8-hour TWA and the STEL. If these controls cannot reduce exposure to or below the PELs, employers must provide workers with respirators.
Label all mixtures or solutions composed of more than 0.1 percent formaldehyde and materials capable of releasing formaldehyde into the air at concentrations reaching or exceeding 0.1 ppm. For all materials capable of releasing formaldehyde at levels above 0.5 ppm during normal use, the label must contain the words “potential cancer hazard.”
Train all workers exposed to formaldehyde concentrations of 0.1 ppm or greater at the time of the initial job assignment and whenever a new exposure to formaldehyde is introduced into the work area. Repeat training annually.
Select, provide, and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Ensure that workers use PPE such as impervious clothing gloves, aprons, and chemical splash goggles to prevent skin and eye contact with formaldehyde.
Provide showers and eyewash stations if splashing is likely.
Provide medical surveillance for all workers exposed to formaldehyde at concentrations at or above the action level or exceeding the STEL, for those who develop signs and symptoms of overexposure, and for all workers exposed to formaldehyde in emergencies.
Recordkeeping Requirements
Employers are required to do the following regarding worker exposure records:
Retain exposure records for 30 years. • Retain medical records for 30 years after employment ends.
Allow access to medical and exposure records for current and former workers or their designated representatives upon request.
Solutions to Formaldehyde Exposure:
Here are some solutions for controlling exposure to formaldehyde:.
Use ventilation systems.
In industries where formaldehyde exposure is greater, using ventilation measures to control formaldehyde exposure is a must. Using ventilation systems like Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) can reduce exposure to formaldehyde very well.
Follow government guidelines:
Following government guidelines is the best way to protect workers and the industrial environment from heavy penalties. Time-to-time checking of harmful pollutants by tests like Filter On India’s Air Quality Mapping Test Service can show you the exact exposure of formaldehyde and other pollutants and exposure levels.Use of Air Pollution Control Systems:
Using air pollution control systems like welding fume extractors, oil mist collectors, and dust collection solutions from Filter On India can reduce exposure to various pollutants, such as formaldehyde, to a great extent.
If you want to know about other pollutants and their exposure limits, then click the below links to learn more.
To know more about CO2 exposure and safety limits. Visit here.
To know more about PM2.5 and PM10 exposure and safety limits,. Visit here.
Filter On India has been working towards “Mission Zero Pollution” for the last 40+ years as a clean air solutions partner for industries. Filter On has 70+ clean air solutions, so you can contact us for more information about our solutions. You can reach us through the web or visit us at Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, or Chennai locations.
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