A formaldehyde aqueous solution stabilized with methyl alcohol through partial oxidation is Formalin. Previously, the substance was used only to disinfect premises and various objects. After it was found that the product had a compacting effect on protein compounds, it began to be used as a tissue preservative. For histology, a neutral buffered solution is required. In addition, formalin is a good remedy for sweating of the armpits and legs and is used in veterinary medicine.
Indications
The product is used for medical purposes and as a disinfectant liquid for the following pathologies and situations:
- For obvious sweating
- For unpleasant foot odor
- For douching
- When disinfecting hands
- For the purpose of disinfection of medical devices, equipment, tools
- For the treatment of animals with carbamide poisoning
- When infected with non-spore-forming parasites in veterinary medicine
- For disinfection of livestock buildings
- When preserving biological pieces of material, serums, vaccines
- For embalming fabrics.
Is there any protection against formaldehyde?
- Firstly, it is advisable to buy products made from solid wood (although in their production, manufacturers often use harmful components), but if this is not possible, then you can request documentation from the seller or do a chemical analysis of the material yourself. According to this property, furniture is divided into three classes (class E1 - aldehyde content not exceeding 10 mg per 100 g of dry wood board, while class E3 - 60 mg). Accordingly, the cost of products will be different - the less harmful components in the resin, the more expensive it is.
- Secondly, you should not place objects made of chipboard and MDF near heat sources - near radiators, in direct sunlight, etc.
- Before bringing furniture, laminate, plywood and other finishing materials into the apartment, let them “air out” outside.
- In addition, the most common ventilation of the room is useful. Even better, install an air purifier, this will help partially neutralize the formaldehyde in the air.
- We should also not forget that green plants in the house not only create comfort, but also purify the air.
- Of course, you should stop smoking indoors, even if you use electronic cigarettes.
Medicinal properties
Formalin solution is made on the basis of formaldehyde stabilized with methyl alcohol. It has an antiseptic, deodorizing, cauterizing effect. Thanks to its ability to screw in protein compounds, it fixes tissues and reduces the secretory functions of epithelial glands.
In aqueous solutions, formaldehyde is in liquid form, which makes it easy to react even with weak reagents belonging to the group of aliphatic aldehydes.
Denaturing properties in relation to protein elements make it possible to create anatomical preparations and participate in the conservation of biological materials. Formalin 10% (neutral) solution is stored for a long time and is used in histology as the most common fixative. In aqueous solutions, formaldehyde decomposes over time into formic acid, acetone and methyl alcohol, which leads to a deterioration in the quality of fixation and precipitation. To restore the properties of the substance, it is necessary to heat it to 800C.
Formalin acts as an antiparasitic and anthelmintic agent. Application in veterinary medicine is to treat animals with urea poisoning.
Quickly eliminates spore subgroup strains, viruses and protozoa. Anthrax cells are destroyed during treatment and die within 2-4 hours. Gets rid of ticks, destroys eggs and larvae of parasites.
A 1% alcohol-based solution is prescribed for severe sweating and unpleasant foot odor.
A 0.5% composition is used to disinfect medical equipment.
Who's at risk
The following categories of the population are most susceptible to the effects of the carcinogen:
- people involved in the chemical industry;
- living near chemical plants;
- workers in workshops for the production of furniture, paper, sewing accessories, food additives;
- medical laboratory technicians;
- morgue workers;
- people whose activities involve embalming corpses and funeral services.
In addition, a connection has been established between formaldehyde and cancer: it is considered a strong carcinogen.
Studies regarding formaldehyde have found that workers involved in embalming corpses and making furniture are more prone to skin cancer, tumors of the respiratory system, and tumors in the stomach, lungs, prostate, and intestines.
People engaged in potentially hazardous production for more than 10 years are at increased risk for the following malignant diseases:
- Hodgkin's lymphoma;
- myeloma;
- myeloid leukemia.
It has been established that the substance acts directly on cells, which provokes gene mutation.
Methods of application
Depending on the purpose, different concentrations of Formalin are used:
From sweating
To clean and rinse the skin for mycoses and unpleasant odor of the feet and armpits, a 0.5-3% composition is prescribed. Apply a thin layer for 30-40 minutes, then rinse with water. To prevent irritation, it is recommended to treat your feet no more than 1-2 times a week. Baths with the drug help a lot. It is necessary to start with low concentrations and gradually increase the dosage. The treatment period is about 2-3 months.
To sanitize shoes, the product is diluted with 30% acetic acid in equal proportions. For preventive purposes, cotton pads are moistened with a 25% solution and placed on insoles for a day. This helps eliminate sweaty feet and has a deodorizing effect.
Douching
For infectious vaginitis, vaginal catarrh, endometritis, 0.05% (20 g) of the substance is prescribed per 1 liter of water. Treatment is carried out once every 7 days for 2 months.
Disinfection
A 1% solution is intended for disinfection of equipment, equipment and objects. Medical threads and dressings are immersed in a 4% composition for 24 and 72 hours, respectively. A 0.5% product is used to treat fingers.
To disinfect premises, Formalin is sprayed using a spray bottle at the rate of 20 ml per 1 m3 of space with a duration of action of 5-7 hours. After which the room is ventilated, excess odor is removed with a liquid based on ammonia.
Can formaldehyde cause cancer?
The fact that formaldehyde is a human carcinogen (a substance that can cause cancer) has not been 100% proven. But, in some animal experiments it has been shown that it increases the risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer and can also lead to leukemia.
Therefore, it is listed as a potentially carcinogenic compound under "probably carcinogenic to humans."
In any case, the effect of formaldehyde on the human body is extremely negative !
Histology
Making preparations involves fixing the material, creating sections, and staining the tissue. The essence of the process is protection from rotting and fermentation. An alcohol-based solution of Formalin is diluted with water in a concentration of 10 to 90 parts. Within 72 hours, the fabrics are impregnated and fixed with high quality. In stronger dosages, the pieces become denser and become covered with a crust, which prevents deep self-destruction. To avoid the release of formic acid, the product is neutralized with chalk. For accelerated research, the liquid is heated to 800C.
Overdose
In case of severe poisoning, lesions are observed due to the penetration of toxic vapors and elements into the blood. As a result of the cauterizing properties, tissue death develops.
In severe cases, severe intoxication with impaired renal and liver function was observed.
Exceeding the concentration when disinfecting premises or treating feet is accompanied by lacrimation, spasms of the respiratory organs, and burns of the integument. When ingested, drugs based on urea and ammonia act as an antidote. You cannot induce vomiting. Cleaning the digestive organs is carried out only with the help of a special probe.
In case of vapor poisoning, inhalation with ammonia is prescribed.
Consequences of poisoning
A carcinogen can enter the human body in the following ways:
- by inhalation;
- orally;
- by direct interaction with the skin.
It is worth noting that the distribution of this compound throughout the body is uneven. It deposits most intensively in the following internal organs:
- pancreas;
- mucous surfaces of the intestinal system;
- lymph;
- salivary glands;
- bone marrow.
If accidentally or intentionally ingested, people may develop:
- severe renal failure;
- liver pathology, characterized by the destruction of its cells;
- bleeding of the mucous surfaces of the stomach;
- necrosis of the esophagus.
Formaldehyde can be irritating to the respiratory system and lead to the following pathologies:
- bronchitis;
- pulmonary obstruction;
- exacerbation of bronchial asthma.
When interacting with the skin, the compound can provoke:
- dermatitis, which often becomes chronic;
- hives, rash;
- destruction of nails;
- redness and burning;
- weeping eczema.
The substance can destroy the immune system, provoke changes in blood composition, reduce the levels of lymphocytes and immunoglobulin A, so the dangers of formaldehyde should be known to anyone who wants to protect themselves from the effects of poison.
Storage and disposal rules
The product must be kept in a closed place, the bottles must be carefully sealed. Shelf life - no more than two years at temperatures up to 90 C.
The drug must not be poured into the sewer. In medical institutions there are special containers for biological waste. At home, it is recommended to first neutralize the solution using hydrogen peroxide, ammonia or copper hydroxide. After this, disposal can be carried out in carefully packed containers.
Analogs
Various preparations with antiseptic, antimycotic and disinfecting properties are prepared on the basis of Formalin:
Lysoform
Medical Lysoform, Ukraine
Cost: Spray 250 ml – 180-200 rubles. Size 1000 ml – 500-550 rub.
Lysoform is presented in the form of an antiseptic, which is used to treat the skin of the feet in case of infectious diseases, eliminates excessive sweating, and deodorizes. Used for disinfection of instruments and equipment. Consists of 40% formalin, 40% potassium soap solution, 20% alcohol.
Using the medication, douching is done and the burn areas are lubricated. The medicine disinfects lesions of the epidermis with exudate from furunculosis, eczema, and helps eliminate mycoses. For use only in diluted form.
The solution is yellowish, transparent. Bottled in plastic bottles with a sprayer of 250 ml. The second form of release is 1000 ml propylene cylinders, the kit includes a spray bottle. Each bottle has a label with instructions. The smell is pungent and specific.
Advantages:
- Doesn't dry out the skin and is gentle.
- Convenient to use bottle.
Flaws:
- Not prescribed for pregnant women and children.
- Cannot be applied to the face.
Formidron
JSC YaFF, Russia
Cost: Solution 50 ml – 20-25 rubles. 100 ml – 30-35 rub.
The drug has an antiprotozoal and deodorizing effect, which determines its use for sweating. Thanks to the formaldehyde contained in the composition, it eliminates unpleasant foot odor and destroys mycotic spore cells. Used to disinfect shoes for preventive purposes. Contains the active ingredient, ethanol, water and fragrance.
To treat with the product, moisten a swab and treat the affected areas twice a day until the symptoms disappear. If irritation, rash, peeling, itching on the epidermis is observed, use should be stopped immediately.
Available in dark brown bottles of 50 and 100 ml. The liquid is clear, with a characteristic strong odor. The bottles are placed in cardboard boxes along with instructions. Each container is tightly closed with a polyethylene stopper and lid.
Advantages:
- Quickly eliminates unpleasant odor from feet and shoes
- Affordable price.
Flaws:
- May dry out skin
- Sometimes it causes a burning sensation when processed.
Symptoms of intoxication
Formaldehyde poisoning may have some characteristics, mainly from the brain and respiratory organs. These include:
- attack of suffocation;
- coughing;
- difficulty breathing;
- itching and burning of the mucous surfaces of the esophagus and larynx;
- diarrhea and vomiting with blood streaks;
- intense thirst;
- pale skin;
- mood swings;
- prostration;
- sleep disturbance;
- convulsive syndrome;
- coordination disorder;
- headache;
- weight loss.
In people who frequently come into contact with poison, signs may manifest themselves in the form of allergic reactions, hives, and brittle nails. In women there is a disruption in menstruation, in men there is a decrease in libido.
High concentrations can lead to toxic shock, coma, and death.
