This blog is part of a series on chemical ingredients that are commonly used in consumer products.
Formaldehyde is a chemical with widespread applications that exposes humans to significant health risks. Known for its preservative and disinfecting properties, formaldehyde (also known as HCHO) can be found in a variety of product types including paints, cleaners, personal care products, and cosmetics.
Formaldehyde is classified as a carcinogen, skin sensitizer, and mutagen. This common ingredient is among the many harmful chemicals we prohibit in Green Seal-certified products to ensure products meet a high standard for protecting people and the planet.
Here, we’ll explore how formaldehyde is used today, why you might find formaldehyde in shampoo and other everyday products, how to choose safer and more sustainable products, and other tips for reducing your exposure.
What is Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a compound with the chemical formula CH₂O. It’s a colorless, strong-smelling gas at room temperature that is naturally occurring in small amounts in the human body and environment. The chemical compound is low cost and highly reactive, making it useful in various household and industrial applications.
Formaldehyde is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC) and can offgas from products that contain it as an ingredient, exposing humans to its known health effects. It also can be absorbed into the body when products containing formaldehyde are applied to or come into contact with skin. As a chemical, formaldehyde is a gas at room temperature, but formulators may incorporate it into products in various states of matter. For example, it can be mixed with water to form an aqueous solution, formalin. Similarly, paraformaldehyde (PFA) is a powder that consists of polymers of formaldehyde. Both formalin and PFA have notable disinfecting and preservative properties.
Common Uses for Formaldehyde Around the House
Formaldehyde is used extensively in the textile industry, in building materials, and in household products. It is a key component in resins and is used in pressed wood products such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard. These materials can be found in furniture, cabinetry, flooring, adhesives, coatings, and insulation materials.
Formaldehyde commonly is included in personal care products in the form of formaldehyde-releasing ingredients. These preservatives are chemical compounds specifically designed to release formaldehyde into the product over time to help prevent microbial growth and extend a product’s shelf life. This is why you may find shampoos, conditioners, nail polishes, lotions, or cosmetics with formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde can also be found in multi-purpose cleaners, sanitizing products, and restroom cleaners due to its known disinfecting properties and ability to act as an antimicrobial agent, germicide, and fungicide.
How Formaldehyde Affects Your Health
Exposure to high levels of formaldehyde can cause several acute health effects, including respiratory issues, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. Long-term exposure to high levels of formaldehyde is also linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia.
Formaldehyde’s designation as a human carcinogen has prompted stricter regulations and guidelines for consumer products and occupational exposure. Despite these measures, low-level exposure remains common, putting the responsibility on consumers to understand potential sources.
How to Reduce Your Exposure to Formaldehyde
Being mindful of the products you bring into your home and use on and around your body can help protect you. As a consumer, it can be challenging to avoid products containing formaldehyde because its use is often contained within formaldehyde-releasing ingredients such as quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, and imidazolidinyl urea. Choosing products with third-party certifications that prohibit the intentional addition of formaldehyde can provide assurance that the products are safer for human health and the environment..
By making informed choices and seeking safer alternatives, you can significantly reduce your exposure to formaldehyde. This proactive approach contributes to a healthier living environment and minimizes potential health risks associated with this pervasive chemical.
