Última actualización:
August 07, 2007
Años publicados: 1989, 1999, 2007
Formaldehyde Poisoning is a disorder brought about by breathing the fumes of formaldehyde. This can occur while working directly with formaldehyde, or using equipment cleaned with formaldehyde. Major symptoms may include eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; and/or skin rashes.
Symptoms of Formaldehyde Poisoning are varied. There may be eye irritation, breathing problems, skin irritations and headaches. If formaldehyde is swallowed it causes burns to the esophagus and stomach. Poisoning of patients using dialysis machines cleaned with formaldehyde can cause loss of red blood cells (acute hemolysis). In extreme cases Formaldehyde Poisoning may include low blood pressure (hypotension), abnormalities of heart rhythm, irregular breathing, restlessness, unconsciousness and coma.
Formaldehyde Poisoning may be caused in a variety of ways. Some people are affected when they work with products made with formaldehyde such as chip board and foam insulation. Persons may be poisoned by accidentally ingesting or swallowing formaldehyde. Breathing the vapors given off by the chemical itself in plants that manufacture it, or by working in areas where formaldehyde is used to produce other products can also cause dangerous physical reactions to the chemical. Poisoning may also occur when the chemical is being administered directly to a patient as formalin soaked packs for cysts. A form of formaldehyde (Formalin) is sometimes used as a cleaning agent for dialysis machines and other hospital equipment, and it must be carefully and completely removed before the equipment can be used on patients in order to avoid Formaldehyde Poisoning.
Formaldehyde Poisoning affects males and females in equal numbers. People exposed in the workplace are most likely to be affected if they are not protected by appropriate air filtering equipment.
Prevention
Strict control and protective measures must be employed in the workplace to minimize formaldehyde exposure to the lowest possible limits. Employees should follow all workplace and safety guidelines and take any additional, appropriate steps to reduce their exposure. For example, workers who are exposed to formaldehyde must use personal protective equipment as required, such as appropriate face and eye protection, protective aprons and gloves, etc.
Treatment
For affected individuals, there is no specific medication that may oppose the action of the formaldehyde (antidote). The treatment of individuals affected by Formaldehyde Poisoning consists of appropriate symptomatic and supportive measures. Those who have experienced severe formaldehyde exposure must undergo close medical monitoring as required. With prompt, appropriate treatment, most affected individuals experience a full recovery.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: [email protected]
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com
TEXTBOOKS
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th Ed.: Anthony S. Fauci et al., Eds.: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998. P. 1435.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Acute Intravascular Hemolysis due to Accidental Formalin Intoxication During Hemodialysis. K.K. Pun et al.; Clin Nephrol (March 1984; 21(3)). Pp. 188-90.
Formaldehyde-Induced Corrosive Gastric Cicatrization: Case Report. R. Kochhar et al.; Hum Toxicol (Dec 1986; 5 (6)). Pp. 381-82.
Occupational Exposures to Formaldehyde in Dialysis Units. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep (Jun 20 1986; 35(24)). Pp. 399-401.
Formaldehyde-Related Health Complaints of Residents Living in Mobile and Conventional Homes. I.M. Ritchie et al.; Am J Public Health (March 1987; 77(3)). Pp. 323-28.
Formaldehyde in the Occupational Environment. A Possible Cause of Chemically Induced Reactive Arthritis. D. Tilsted et al.; Ugeskr Laeger (Aug 5 1996; 158(32)). Pp. 4525-27.
Chemical Hazards in Health Care Workers. V.M. Weaver; Occup Med (Oct-Dec 1997; 12(4)). Pp. 655-67.
Micronuclei in Nasal Mucosa, Oral Mucosa and Lymphocytes in Students Exposed to Formaldehyde Vapor in Anatomy Class. C.J. Ying et al.; Biomed Environ Sci (Dec 1997; 10(4)). Pp. 451-55.
DNA-Protein Crosslinks and Sister Chromatid Exchanges as Biomarkers of Exposure to Formaldehyde. J. Shaham et al.; Int J Occup Environ Health (Apr 1997; 3(2)). Pp. 95-104.
American and White Formaldehyde Industry Workers. L.W. Figgs et al.; Am J Ind Med (Jul 1998; 34(1)). Pp. 57-64.
Contact Allergies in Healthcare Workers. Results From the IVDK. A. Schnuch et al.; Acta Derm Venereol (Sep 1998; 78(5)). Pp. 358-63.
Target Levels-Tools for Prevention. R.I. Niemela et al.; Risk Anal (Dec 1998; 18(6)). Pp. 679-88.
Occupational Allergy to Aldehydes in Health Care Workers. Clinical Observations. Experiments. M. Kiec-Swierczynska et al.; Int J Occup Med Environ Health (1998; 11(4)). Pp. 349-58.
The Role of Formaldehyde in the Occurrence of Contact Allergy. B. Krecisz et al.; Med Pr (1998; 49(6)). Pp. 609-14.
Assessment of Total Exposure to Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin Glue in Plywood Manufacturing. M. Makinen et al.; Int Arch Occup Environ Health (Aug 1999; 72(5)). Pp. 309-14.
Paraformaldehyde Sterilant Use in Vocational High School Program. R. Olcerst; Appl Occup Environ Hyg (Jun 1999; 14(6)). Pp. 391-96.
Chemical Hazards Faced by Animal Handlers. W.J. Meggs; Occup Med (Apr-Jun 1999; 14(2)). Pp. 213-24.
NORD y la Fundación MedicAlert se han asociado en un nuevo programa para brindar protección a pacientes con enfermedades raras en situaciones de emergencia.
Aprende más https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/medicalert-assistance-program/Asegurarse de que los pacientes y los cuidadores estén equipados con las herramientas que necesitan para vivir su mejor vida mientras manejan su condición rara es una parte vital de la misión de NORD.
Aprende más https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/rare-disease-educational-support/Este programa de asistencia, primero en su tipo, está diseñado para los cuidadores de un niño o adulto diagnosticado con un trastorno raro.
Aprende más https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/caregiver-respite/The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) does not endorse the information presented. The content has been gathered in partnership with the MONDO Disease Ontology. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
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