There is good reason to believe that formaldehyde is extremely dangerous to our health and the health of our children.
Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that high levels of formaldehyde were present in trailers made available to the victims of Hurricane Katrina by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and that it posed a health concern.
A review of medical records in November by the Children's Health Fund, has reignited concerns about the health of the children living in the FEMA trailers.
The report indicated that children living in such trailers may have had more colds, allergies and skin irritations, as well as developmental and behavioral problems.
More than 40% of the children were diagnosed with upper respiratory infections and disorders that may have been the result of formaldehyde fumes from the glue in building materials of the trailers.
These children also suffered twice the rate of anemia as children in New York City homeless shelters.
However, formaldehyde is used in many other products, as well.
Formaldehyde is used to make cosmetics, synthetic fibers, paper, pressed wood products, furniture, dyes, glues/adhesives, permanent press fabrics and embalming fluid.
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong smelling gas compound (HCHO) recognized as a carcinogen; meaning it causes cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), when formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.
1ppm, some individuals may experience health effects such as watery eyes, burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea and skin irritations.
Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde, while others have no reaction to the same level of exposure.
Therefore, even if you do not live in a FEMA trailer, you and your family may still be exposed to unsafe levels of formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is a natural product of many metabolic processes and consequently, cannot be avoided completely.
But it can limited by knowing its sources and reducing your exposure to them.
In an effort to promote awareness of formaldehyde exposure, the NCI has issued a fact sheet that can be read here: http://www.
cancer.
gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/formaldehyde
Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that high levels of formaldehyde were present in trailers made available to the victims of Hurricane Katrina by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and that it posed a health concern.
A review of medical records in November by the Children's Health Fund, has reignited concerns about the health of the children living in the FEMA trailers.
The report indicated that children living in such trailers may have had more colds, allergies and skin irritations, as well as developmental and behavioral problems.
More than 40% of the children were diagnosed with upper respiratory infections and disorders that may have been the result of formaldehyde fumes from the glue in building materials of the trailers.
These children also suffered twice the rate of anemia as children in New York City homeless shelters.
However, formaldehyde is used in many other products, as well.
Formaldehyde is used to make cosmetics, synthetic fibers, paper, pressed wood products, furniture, dyes, glues/adhesives, permanent press fabrics and embalming fluid.
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong smelling gas compound (HCHO) recognized as a carcinogen; meaning it causes cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), when formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.
1ppm, some individuals may experience health effects such as watery eyes, burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea and skin irritations.
Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde, while others have no reaction to the same level of exposure.
Therefore, even if you do not live in a FEMA trailer, you and your family may still be exposed to unsafe levels of formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is a natural product of many metabolic processes and consequently, cannot be avoided completely.
But it can limited by knowing its sources and reducing your exposure to them.
In an effort to promote awareness of formaldehyde exposure, the NCI has issued a fact sheet that can be read here: http://www.
cancer.
gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/formaldehyde
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