Formaldehyde

(in 39 products)

Banned by Gov or classified as a carcinogen by IARC

1. Antimicrobial Preservative - Actively kills and inhibits the growth of unwanted microorganisms which may be harmful.

2. Binder / Stabilizer - Retains the physical characteristics of food/cosmetics and ensure the mixture remains in an even state.

3. Contaminant / Impurity - Unintended/unwanted by-product

Formaldehyde is used predominantly as a chemical intermediate. It also has minor uses in agriculture, as an analytical reagent, in concrete and plaster additives, cosmetics, disinfectants, fumigants, photography, and wood preservation. One of the most common uses of formaldehyde in the U.S is manufacturing urea - formaldehyde resins, used in particleboard products. Formaldehyde (as urea formaldehyde foam) was extensively used as an insulating material until 1982 when it was banned by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Formaldehyde is a colorless poisonous gas synthesized by the oxidation of methanol and used as an antiseptic, disinfectant, histologic fixative, and general-purpose chemical reagent for laboratory applications. Formaldehyde is readily soluble in water and is commonly distributed as a 37% solution in water ; formalin , a 10% solution of formaldehyde in water , is used as a disinfectant and to preserve biological specimens. Environmentally, formaldehyde may be found in the atmosphere, smoke from fires, automobile exhaust and cigarette smoke. Small amounts are produced during normal metabolic processes in most organisms, including humans.

In view of its widespread use, toxicity, and volatility, formaldehyde poses a significant danger to human health. In 2011, the US National Toxicology Program described formaldehyde as "known to be a human carcinogen".

This substance has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The Hong Kong Consumer Council has implied that formaldehyde should not be present in school uniform materials.

1. PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/712

1. WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Group 1 [2018]

- Formaldehyde

2. EU CosIng Annex II, SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS [2017]

- Ref: II/1577, II/1578, II/1579

3. Association of Southeast Asian Nations Annex II, Prohibited

- Formaldehyde, Paraformaldehyde, Methanediol; methylene glycol

4. US California Assembly Bill 2762, Banned Ingredients in Cosmetic Products

- Formaldehyde, Paraformaldehyde, Methylene glycol

5. South Korea - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety - Prohibited/Restricted Chemicals

- Ref: 798, 799, 944

6. US California Proposition 65, Chemicals known to the State to Cause Cancer

- Formaldehyde (gas)

7. CANADA INGREDIENT HOTLIST, List of Ingredients that are Restricted for Use in Cosmetic Products [2019]

- Formaldehyde

8. US Environmental Protection Agency Chemicals Known to Cause Cancer

- Formaldehyde

9. US National Toxicology Program (NTP) Report on Carcinogens

- Formaldehyde

10. US CARB Identified Toxic Air Contaminants

- Formaldehyde (HCHO)

11. EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety

- https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_097.pdf

12. Hong Kong Consumer Council 2018-2019 Annual Report

- Report: Improving Product Quality and Safety, p31