When buying any product, we always check for its chemical composition because no one wants to introduce toxins into their house, but sometimes the presence of toxic chemicals is crucial to the manufacturing production of certain products because they can be required for a variety of different reasons.
The same applies to paints, especially oil-based paints with certain chemicals and toxins. One such chemical is formaldehyde, and although it is not an active chemical that is used in the manufacture of paint, trace quantities of formaldehyde are present in paint to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. Such small quantities are often FDA approved but can still impact our health and the environment.
Keep reading ahead to learn more about the harmful impacts of formaldehyde and how much of a danger paint poses to our health.
What Is Formaldehyde?
To understand the health risks involved with the chemical, it is essential to know more about its chemical nature.
Formaldehyde is a pungent-smelling, gaseous organic chemical compound that is made up of oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen molecules. It is organically and industrially produced. It is present in the air in our bloodstream as well. This compound is often used in industries for manufacturing products. It is most predominantly used in the wood industry in the manufacture of resin.
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What Makes Formaldehyde Toxic?
The exact reason for the toxicity of the chemical is not clear, but it is said that the compound can’t react with molecules in our cells, body tissues, and bodily fluids and cause the cells to break down. It can also cause cell death.
What Are The Health Complications Caused By Exposure To Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde can lead to several health complications. At lower levels, it can cause breathing issues, irritation to the skin and eyes, irritation to the lungs, and rashes. At higher levels, it can trigger asthma, respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, and even at times, lung cancer. The chemical can damage the stomach and cause the lining of the esophagus to burn if ingested. People who already have respiratory issues and the children and elderly are especially vulnerable to the health risks it poses.
Is The Amount Of Formaldehyde Present In Paint Harmful For Us?
The concentration of formaldehyde that can harm us is 100 ppm. Generally, we are always in contact with 1-2ppm of the chemical since it is present in the environment. The paint contains only trace amounts of formaldehyde that don’t pose a direct health risk to people unless ingested in large quantities.
Is There Paint That Has No Formaldehyde?
If you are looking for paint that is completely free from the toxic compound, then several options are present in the market. Typically water-based paints have little to no presence of the chemical and are safer options to explore. Examples of such paints include the Green Planet Paint and Benjamin Moore Aura.
Conclusion
In short, paint does have minimal traces of formaldehyde, but they are not large enough to pose any significant health risk. Trace amounts of the toxic compound are present all around us; we just need to ensure we avoid coming into contact with the chemical in larger doses.
