DIY products, maintenance, floor covering, tobacco smoke … Many elements of our daily life are likely to contain formaldehyde, a substance classified as a carcinogen.
Widely used in various industries, formaldehyde is nevertheless classified as a proven carcinogen for humans. But its misdeeds do not end there. According to French researchers, people in contact with this gas during their work might develop cognitive disorders later in life.
Present in our daily environment
Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical that gives off an unpleasant odor. It is present in many industrial applications as a biocide, preservative or fixer, for example. Thus it is found in construction, textile, chemical industry or even in the health sector.
Problem, in June 2004, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified it as “substance known to be carcinogenic to humans“for cancers of the nasopharynx by inhalation.
We find formaldehyde, some examples
Present in the composition of 5% of chemicals according to the cancer-environment site, “it is found in DIY products, maintenance, in wall, floor or furniture coverings, in plastics, in smoke tobacco … “
It can also be found in certain nail products, such as varnish or nail polish remover, in certain household products as well as in “dishwashing products, disinfectants, wipes, insecticides”, illustrates Top Health.
Since its classification as a proven carcinogenic chemical agent, formaldehyde is subject to reinforced regulatory obligations, especially in terms of labeling.
Cognitive impairment
According to researchers at the University of Montpellier, this product has other harmful effects. According to them, long-term exposure to formaldehyde during labor may be associated with cognitive impairment later on.
Their study involved 75,322 people, an average of 58 years old. Of these, 8%, or 6,026, were exposed to formaldehyde during their working life. The professions included nurses, orderlies, medical technicians, workers in the textile, chemical and metal industries, carpenters …
The participants were classified into several groups according to their level of occupational exposure to the chemical (6 years or less, 7 to 21 years or more than 22 years). In addition, cognitive tests were carried out including tests of memory, attention, reasoning, etc.
As a result, people exposed to formaldehyde at work had, on average, a 17% higher risk of experiencing memory problems. Workers exposed to formaldehyde for 22 years or more had a 21% higher risk of cognitive impairment.
“The use of formaldehyde has declined over the past decades,” the authors explain. “However, our results highlight the fact that there are still thousands of people whose work exposes them to the chemical, and they will face the risk of dementia later because of it.”
