Formaldehyde

Ashley Chin Block D = __**FORMALDEHYDE**__ =

Formaldehyde(CH2O), also commonly known by its IUPAC name, methanal, is an organic compound belonging to the aldehyde functional group. It is composed of one carbon atom that has a double bond with one oxygen atom and single bonds with two hydrogen atoms. Formaldehyde was accidently produced by Alexander Butlerov in 1859, and was discovered in 1868 by Wilhelm von Hofmann. Hofmann identified formaldehyde by heating a mixture of air and methanol over a heated platinum spiral. Although Hoffman and Butlerov played major roles in the discovery of formaldehyde, it was not isolated an purified until 1892 by Friedrich Von Stradonitz. Below are, in order, Wilhelm von Hofmann; Alexander Butlerov; Friedrich Von Stradonitz.



=** PHYSICAL PROPERTIES **= Formaldehyde is a colourless has that has an irritating, pungent odour that can be detected at 1 ppm, or at an even lower level by individuals with sensitive senses. =__** HOW IS IT MADE? **__= Formaldehyde occurs naturally in the environment as it is composed of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. It is found in the blood of many living organism, albeit in low concentrations. Formaldehyde is required for cell metabolism in humans, as well as mammals; it never accumulates in the body as is it broken down by sunlight and bacteria within a few hours, and is decomposed in the human metabolism.
 * Molecular weight: 30.03g/mol
 * Boiling Point: -21°C (-6°F)
 * Water Solubility: 55% at 20°C (68°F)
 * Gas Density: 1.07
 * Flammability: between 7% and 73% at 25°C (77°F)

= = Formaldehyde is also present in nature; in fact, 90% of the formaldehyde on Earth is produced in the upper atmosphere. Outdoor levels of formaldehyde are about 0.002ppm to 0.006ppm. It is formed as a result of photochemical processes from the oxidation (or combustion) of methane and other organic compounds in the atmosphere. This can occur during a forest fire, in tobacco smoke, or in car exhaust. Like many other chemical compounds, formaldehyde can be synthesized. Formaldehyde is commercially manufactured in the Formalin form, which is an aqueous solution whose weight is composed of 37% dissolved formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is synthesized when methanol reacts with oxygen (example of the reaction above). In commercial manufacturing, a catalyst is often used; some examples of commonly used catalysts are: = = =__** HOW DOES IT AFFECT US? **__=
 * copper
 * molybdenum
 * alloy
 * silver
 * platinum

** USES **
Formaldehyde is used as a building block for the production of many goods; without formaldehyde, many of the products we use in daily life would not be tangible. Below are some general uses of formaldehyde. = = Also, as mentioned before, formaldehyde is found naturally in the bodies of mammals to aid in life processes. It is also found in naturally in the environment.
 * formaldehyde-based materials are utilized in many parts of our automobiles such as the transmission, electrical system, door panels, engine block, and brakes.
 * is an adhesive for plywood and carpeting when reacted with melamine, urea, or phenol.
 * formaldehyde resins used in facial tissues and table napkins to provide strength when wet.
 * used to preserve the deceased in mortuaries and medical laboratories.
 * pressed wood products such as particle board.
 * urea-formaldehyde is used as a foam insulator in many homes.
 * aqueous solutions are used in disinfectants and germicides

** HEALTH EFFECTS **
There are many ways in which formaldehyde benefits us, but there are also several ways that formaldehyde can be detrimental to our health. The following are categories that involving some health issues concerning formaldehyde.
 * short term effects
 * long term effects.[[image:http://ca.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0S0zvlJlwhMFCcA6YD2FAx./SIG=123lggo2i/EXP=1275717833/**http%3a//www.twrc.rowing.org.uk/slug/blisters.jpg width="157" height="118" align="right"]]

The short term-effects of exposure to formaldehyde at levels higher than 0.1ppm are watery eyes' burning eyes, throat or nose; skin irritation, which includes; light-headedness; nausea; or coughing and wheezing. = = Severe skin irritations (dermatitis) can arise when contact has been made with materials containing formaldehyde. Some dermatitis issues include:
 * blisters
 * dried skin
 * red, cracked skin
 * soft, brown fingernails

When levels of present formaldehyde are relatively low, some individuals will have no reaction at all, while others who are more sensitive will experience the short-term effect symptoms.

Long-term effects of formaldehyde exposure mainly revolve around cancer. Studies were conducted by the National Cancer Institute (aka, the NCI) who founded that were was a correlation between exposure to formaldehyde and increased risks of cancer. Late individuals who had careers in areas that have a higher potential exposure to formaldehyde, such as anatomists and funeral industry workers, were compared with others who had died from the same type of condition. A case-study was performed on 25,619 workers, and it was found that increased exposure to formaldehyde increased the chances of contracting myeloid leukemia. However, the results of further studies have contrasted with the results of the NCI's first case-study, and it remains unproven whether formaldehyde exposure is an actual cause to cancer; however, the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency states that formaldehyde is a "probable human carcinogen." = =

=** DID YOU KNOW....... **=

= = ====** FOOD SCARES **Formaldehyde has been the cause of two food scares; the 2005 food scare in Indonesia, and the 2007 food scare in Vietnam. Formaldehyde was a contaminant in numerous food products in both food scares. The 2005 Indonesia food scare took place in Jakarta, where noodles contaminated with formaldehyde were being served at 60% of the noodle shops in Jakarta. In the 2007 Vietnam food scare, pho and soy sauce had been contaminated with formaldehyde.====

[[image:http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2931524888_888a108c74.jpg width="165" height="125" align="right"]]
The main reason why formaldehyde is added to foods is to preserve and prolong the shelf life of the product. Foods that are generally known to be contaminated by formaldehyde include:
 * noodles
 * chicken
 * beer
 * tofu

** NATURAL DISASTERS **
Victims of natural disasters have also suffered from exposure to formaldehyde. During Hurricane Katrina in 2006, thousands of people were evacuated from their homes and forces to move into trailers. Many of these individuals suffered from breathing difficulties, headaches and nosebleeds; this was due to the fact that hazardous levels of formaldehyde resins (77ppb) had been used in the production of the trailers. = =

The same thing happened in Iowa in 2008; individuals who had been moved into trailers had suffered from bronchitis, headaches, and asthma. As a result, formaldehyde levels were also too high in these trailers.