Do you know what Formaldehyde is ? Formaldehyde or Formalin or Methanal is a chemical compound that is widely used as a preservative.
Formaldehyde or Formalin was synthesized by Aleksandr Butlerov, a Russian chemist, in 1859 and identified in 1867 by Hoffman. In small amounts, formaldehyde can be produced by metabolites of microorganisms, including humans, you know!
Other sources of formaldehyde are the burning of carbon-containing materials and reactions when sunlight and oxygen are exposed to methane/other hydrocarbons in the earth's atmosphere. Want to find out more information about Formaldehyde or Formalin? Check out the discussion below!
What is Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is widely used in several non-food and manufacturing industries. Formalin solutions are generally colorless and have a very pungent odor, they contain 37% formaldehyde and 15% preservative is often added.
So far, the use of formalin itself is not prohibited, but all workers involved with this compound must wear complete PPE and must be extra careful considering the risks resulting from exposure to the compound are quite large.
Another name for formalin
On the market, you can find formalin with different names, you know. For example: Formol, Morbicid, Methanal, Formic aldehyde, Methyl oxide, Oxymethylene, Methylene aldehyde, Oxomethane, Formoform, Formalith, Karsan, Methylene glycol, Paraforin, Polyoxymethylene glycols, Superlysoform, Trioxymethylene, to Trioxane.
Chemical Formula and Characteristics of Formaldehyde
Symbolized by the formula CH2O, it has a density of 815 kg/m3, a molecular weight of 30,031 grams/mol, a boiling point of -19 °C, a melting point of -92.0 °C. It has a pungent odor, if it is a gas, formaldehyde reacts with bases (for example sodium hydroxide) and forms sodium formate and methanol.
Here is the chemical formula, 2HCH0 + NaOH > HCOONa + CH3OH. This compound can also react with ammonia and form formamidine and water
This chemical compound is widely used in various industries, from resin production, production of several products, preservatives, to the agricultural and medical industries (for example as disinfectants, fungicides, fumigants and preservatives).
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Formaldehyde is formed from reactions such as the oxidation of methanol vapor, generally it is sold as formalin with a 37% water solution. This compound can be a good preservative because it is a combination of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon and has good antibacterial properties.
Here are some other uses of Formaldehyde or Formalin:
- To kill germs, it is usually used as a cleaning fluid for floors, warehouses and clothes.
- Used to kill various types of insects.
- One of the chemical compounds needed in the process of making synthetic silk, dyes, glass mirrors, and even explosives.
- One of the ingredients for making urea fertilizer.
- Can be used for perfume, nail hardener, corrosion prevention in oil wells, foam insulation material, plywood adhesive, and the like.
- Liquid for embalming, aka corpse preservation.
- Formaldehyde can be used to preservative household products such as special washing/cleaning fluids and wax at levels of less than 1%.
Side Effects of Exposure to Formaldehyde
The maximum limit for the formalin element in the body of every human being is 1 mg/l (IPCS), if it exceeds the maximum limit required, it can cause problems with human organs. This disorder can occur briefly or in the long term, through inhalation of the vapor, direct contact, or ingestion of the formaldehyde itself.
The impacts that occur are divided into 2, namely acute and chronic. In acute impacts, the effects can be seen immediately. Characteristics: irritation, allergic reactions, watery and reddish eyes, stomach ache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and a burning sensation.
Chronic impacts can arise due to long-term, repeated and continuous exposure to Formaldehyde. For example, workers who are exposed to this substance directly or those who unknowingly consume food containing formalin for a long period of time.
The characteristics of this chronic impact are: severe irritation, disruption of organs and the central nervous system, and carcinogenic effects. Formalin accumulation that accumulates for a long time in the body can have bad effects on the human body.
Is Formaldehyde Safe to Use in Foodstuffs?
Reporting from the national journal of health sciences (2013) with the title Formalin in Food Ingredients, which discusses research on the use of Formalin in food ingredients, explains that Formalin is prohibited from being used as a food additive because it can harm the body's health.
Reporting from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), formalin can irritate the stomach, eyes, nose and throat and is carcinogenic. Therefore, based on the Decree of the Minister of Industry and Trade Number 254/MPP/Kep/7/2000 dated 4 July 2000, concerning "Trade Procedures for the Import and Industry of Hazardous Materials", it ensures that the production and distribution of formaldehyde must go through certain distributors. This means that processing and distribution are strictly regulated and must not be done haphazardly to avoid misuse.
Abuse of Formaldehyde or Formalin
Even though the use of Formaldehyde is limited and is prohibited from being used as a food ingredient, there are a number of rogue manufacturers who are determined to do so. Products that are treated with Formaldehyde or Formalin are usually more durable, last longer and do not rot easily. However, the effect will be very bad for consumers' health, especially in the long term.
Examples of food ingredients containing formalin and their characteristics:
- Fish: the characteristics of this fish are that it has a clean white color, is supple, has dark red gills, not fresh red, is very durable for several days, and does not rot easily.
- Broiler chicken: chicken preserved with Formaldehyde usually has a clean and pale white color, is durable, and will not rot even if left at room temperature for a long time.
- Wet noodles: there are also many irresponsible wet noodle producers who use Formaldehyde as a preservative. Noodles that have been formalized last longer and taste a bit strange.
- Tofu: generally, tofu that has been formalinized has a very good shape, does not rot easily, is chewy, and is very durable.
Beware of food ingredients that contain formaldehyde, you have to be more selective in choosing food. Food ingredients that are formalinized (even at low levels) will enter the body and in the long term will cause health problems.
What Happens When Exposed to Formaldehyde?
The effects that can appear vary depending on the type and level of Formaldehyde itself. For example, when using formaldehyde in the plywood or plywood industry and the like, when the resin releases this compound slowly at a level of 0.1 mg/kg in the air, this formaldehyde can cause several problems. Starting from irritation of the mucous membranes and head, tears, dizziness, hotness, and a burning sensation in the throat.
If someone accidentally drinks large amounts of formaldehyde, it can cause death. When in the body, this substance will turn into formic acid which can increase blood acidity so that the impact is that our breathing becomes short like someone running a marathon, hypothermia appears and ends in coma and death.
Based on several studies using experimental animals, research objects who inhaled Formaldehyde continuously experienced nose and throat cancer.
In other studies, small levels of Formaldehyde or Formalin, such as those used in building materials, did not cause carcinogenic reactions in living creatures around them.
Formalin or Formaldehyde is a chemical compound that is used as a preservative or ingredient for certain industries. Even though it has several uses, it must be used carefully because long-term exposure to formaldehyde that accumulates in the body can cause bad effects on human health.
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