M4.2 National Library ToxNet

Using the National Library's ToxNet resources that you just learned about while viewingenviRN–Evidence, review and describe one or more health effects that associated with exposures to:

•     Urea formaldehyde (found in pressed board, a common building material)
•     Bleach (a cleaning/disinfectant product)

FORMALDEHYDE

IDENTIFICATION

• Colorless, clear, water-white, very slightly acid, flammable gas or liquid with a strong smell that dissolves easily in water
• Can be bought in a liquid called formalin with water and methanol

USE

• Used mostly to make resins in building materials, coatings for paper and clothing fabrics, and synthetic fibers
•  Found in smoke from burning tobacco or fuels
• Building materials with formaldehyde include certain insulation materials, glues, and pressed wood products like particle board, plywood, and fiberboard
• Used as slow-release nitrogen fertilizers in farming and gardening
• Used as a preservative in mortuaries and medical laboratories, and as an antimicrobial agent and disinfectant for industrial processes and some household purposes 
• Registered for pesticide use in the U.S. primarily as a fumigant in agricultural premises such as poultry and swine farms and processing plants as well as in citrus packing and mushroom houses.
• Registered as a materials preservative for consumer products such as laundry detergents, general purpose cleaners and wall paper adhesives

EXPOSURE

• Indoor air from pressed wood products and smoke from cigarettes and poorly vented gas stoves, wood-burningstoves, or kerosene heaters
• Workers in mortuaries, hospitals, medical laboratories, or other places that make or use formaldehyde
• Expected to biodegrade readily in soil and water

Human Health Effects

• Irritation of the skin, eyes (serious eye damage), nose and throat occurred in some individuals with short-term exposure to low concentrations 
• Allergic skin reactions
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, and incoordination also have been reported by some laboratory technicians 
• Drinking large amounts can cause severe pain, vomiting, unconsciousness, and possible death
• A number of studies of formaldehyde-exposed workers found evidence for increased risk of dying from myeloid leukemia or cancer of the nose or pharynx
• Nasal tissue damage and nose tumors were found in laboratory animals who breathed in moderate concentrations in air for 6 hours per day for most of their lives
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer determined that formaldehyde is carcinogenic to humans, based on evidence for myeloid leukemia or cancer of the nose or pharynx in formaldehyde-exposed workers and nasal tumors in laboratory animals

BLOG

Formaldehyde is ubiquitous! My parents who were born and raised agricultural communities in the Philippines know it as as "formulin." It was used as a pesticide and preservatives in the mortuary setting. As a RN, I use cleaning formulas containing formaldehyde and I am religious about using PPE (gloves, mask and eye pro), because of its carcinogenic and teratogenic properties. Because it is ubiquitous, in our cleaning products and food industry, it is important to train workers and consumers on PPE, proper use and limiting exposure. I sound like a mother when I tell environmental service workers in the hospital to use PPE when using cleaning agents. Studies have also shown that formaldehyde is a mutagen and my fellow Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves jokes that despite the heavy amounts of liquor he consumes, he is still preserved from the formaldehyde in the alcohol beverages. The irony of it is used in mortuaries. 

CHLORINE (BLEACH)

IDENTIFICATION

• Yellowish-green gas that is shipped as a liquefied compressed gas
• Basis of concentrated bleach
•  It is miscible in water. 

USE

• Wide range of uses as a disinfectant
• It is used in the manufacture of chlorinated organic compounds, and in bleaching, purifying water and sewage, and shrink-proofing wool

EXPOSURE

• Breathe in vapor or have direct skin contact. 
• The general population can be exposed to low levels of chlorine when drinking chlorinated water supplies or when swimming in chlorinated pools or hot tubs; however, since chlorine is very reactive the majority of chlorine used in water disinfection processes transforms into other chemicals
• Liquid chlorine, spilled on soil, will volatilize immediately into air
• Chlorine is toxic to microorganisms

Human Health Effects

• Irritation and burns to skin, eyes, nose, and throat followed by coughing and wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain will occur at high vapor levels
• Extremely high vapor levels may cause loss of oxygen leading to cardiac or respiratory arrest and even death
• Direct contact with undiluted liquid chlorine can burn the skin and eyes
• Workers exposed to low levels of chlorine gas over a long period of time complained of persistent respiratory symptoms, including coughing, sore throat, and chest pain
• Increased asthma symptoms have been associated with exposure to chlorinated water in swimming pools. 
• No toxic effects were noted in laboratory animals that drank chlorinated water containing moderate levels of free chlorine (elemental chlorine + hypochlorus acid + hypochlorite ion) over time
• Very high levels of free chlorine in water caused decreased body weight in laboratory animals
• Tumors were not induced in laboratory animals that drank chlorinated water containing moderate levels of free chlorine over several generations. 
• The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has determined that chlorine is not classifiable as a human carcinogen

BLOG

Bleach is used frequently and is effective with cleaning. In the hospital setting, it is effective in killing cdiff spores and it is relieving to know that it is not primarily a carcinogen, because I'm exposed to it too frequently. We also use bleach at home in our detergent and cleaning agents, because of how effective it has proven to be. I'm still trying to convince my parents to try the "green" cleaning products at CVS, but they doubt its efficacy. Because of frequent exposure to bleach, I do recognize some of the adverse effects.