What are the Effects of Formaldehyde Exposure?

I bought some white socks and some underwear. I took them out of the packages and my lips and tongue became numb. I've washed them four times and I am now washIng them with baking soda. I read online from someone that worked at Old Navy that she would come home and wash her hands in baking soda because of the formaldehyde that she was exposed to during the day on the clothing.

Well I just found out that the FEMA trailers from Hurricane Katrina are saturated in formaldehyde and I not only one, but lived in it for four and a half years. Also, now my daughter and grandchild are now living in it. Is that considered long term exposure? Since then I have been diagnosed with COPD.

@anon944271: I highly doubt that the symptoms you are experiencing are from formaldehyde off-gassing from your towels. For one thing, towels are highly unlikely to be treated with formaldehyde; the most common fabric offenders are "no-iron" clothes for which people are willing to pay a premium for wrinkle-resistance. (The main reason to wash towels before you use them is to remove sizing and other -- usually harmless --substances used to help fibers maintain their shape during the manufacturing process. These substances can interfere with the absorbency of your towels, and in very sensitive people, cause mild rashes.) Your rash may be from something on those towels, and if you have extreme chemical sensitivity, the breathing symptoms might as well. But I would bet a large sum of money that it *isn't* formaldehyde.

As you can see from the cosmetologists also commenting on this article, long-term exposure is the culprit in formaldehyde-caused breathing problems. Occasionally someone can be exposed to such high levels in a very short period of time that one incident can cause these, but trust me, you would know if that had happened. Today I spent about half an hour in the embalming room with tears rolling down my cheeks from exposure to really high levels of this chemical, and yeah, I had the burning eyes, the sore throat, all of that, but three hours later, I'm fine. The long-term carcinogenic effects? Well, who knows? This job is short-term, thank goodness, and I'm knowingly taking my chances.

I bought some new towels over the weekend, and made the mistake of not washing them before use. Since using them I have been terribly itchy and having difficulty breathing (I don't have asthma).

Apparently, using formaldehyde in towels, sheets, etc., is very common to make them crease resistant and stop and mold, etc., from forming on them. My mother always told me to wash towels before using them, that it gets rid of the chemicals as well as making them more absorbent. I should have known better. Mothers are always right!

@anon89042: In response to your post, did you mean this?:

Hanna Instruments HI3838 Formaldehyde test kit, 110 tests

They are available for sale at many places, but I found one on ebay for $65:

What shampoo is really free of formaldehyde?

Sadly, my life will never be the same. I did keratin on about 10 clients and have been so sick and my lungs have been damaged and I fear that I will get cancer. I hope the company is happy with itself. What greedy jerks they are. I don't recommend it for anyone. I am very sad and depressed.

Did you know formaldehyde is in many of the vaccines we use today? Funny how there's no research about the side effects of intra-muscular injection of the chemical.

i am also a hairdresser and feel duped and lied to from these hideous companies using us as mules to make their money and get out as they get rich and we get sick! Shame on them, i have had hair loss for three years after performing this service. So sorry i believed the strangers in our industry! signed, Going bald and crying.

I'm a hairstylist and just found out the Keratin treatment we were using has formaldehyde in it. Most all of us have had all the symptoms listed. A recent blood test showed my red blood cell count was low. the doctor said to get b12. I researched and found out exposure to toxic chemicals can cause this, and/ or leukemia.

To learn more about proper ventilation control measures for hair smoothing services, look up the Aerovex Systems 3 Zone Ventilation Video.

My husband purchased a pair of slippers that were easy for him to put on. After wearing them for a almost week, his feet have become inflamed and severely itchy almost driving him insane. I think there maybe be Formaldehyde in the material that the slippers were made of. Is this possible?

The main area of discomfort is where the slippers went around the instep down to the side of his feet. But irritation has spread. Does anyone know if this could be the problem? They were made in China and I remember a while back about warnings of this substance being in blankets, etc.

I hear there is formaldehyde in glass fiber insulation. Would an installer of this product be at risk of lung lesions or cancer?

Just wondering if there's a link between formaldehyde exposure and hypothyroidism?

I worked for over 13 years in a textile setting, handling material all day. We never knew the material had been treated with formaldehyde until the year we shut down.

I ended up with hypothryroidism and lots of health problems.

Definitely not phenolphthalein. Though i don't recall the name. Drager tubes are used to test for it and the instructions explain the reaction. Just buy the tubes if you're willing to spend the money.

that sounds a bit like phenolphthalein, its an indicator used to show the change in pH. I've used it in chemistry lots. not sure about its price though but hopefully that could help jog your memory.

To all people who go to salons: The keratin hair treatments contain formaldehyde. There has been research done that all keratin hair treatments that are made in the USA all contain formaldehyde even if it says formaldehyde-free.

There are other ways to get smooth and healthy hair. Please don't risk your health to follow this fad.

I am a cosmetologist and just recently found out about a product that I have been exposed to that contains formaldehyde. It has caused frequent nose bleeds and a cough. I will discontinue use of the product but many other stylists are not. Be careful.

i have been a cosmetologist for 27 years and just found out why i have had arm and hand rashes and headaches, violent coughing, dizziness and allergies, sore throats and bronchitis all the time.

I have been using formaldehyde, which is used to clean and wash combs and spray on equipment in salons where i have worked. i have developed bad lungs from inhaling the stuff in the salon constantly and touching it, and i never knew why i started getting sicker and sicker.

I went from a healthy, thin woman to an overweight and sick person gradually from this exposure, and never knew what it was until i got fed up and started researching my symptoms and realized it was right under my nose, at my workplace.

I ust wanted to make you aware.

Does anyone know about a formaldehyde test that is a clear liquid in which a drop can be put on anything to determine if there is formaldehyde out gassing?

I used this nearly 20 years ago to determine the source of my overexposure, which was confirmed in a blood test. When a drop was placed on something it would go from clear to dark purple, depending on the severity of the out gassing.

If there was no formaldehyde present it would stay clear. I don't remember what that chemical was or where I got it and am having no luck researching it. It was very inexpensive. Anyone know about this? Thank you.