Formalin is a ferocious name and in third world country like Bangladesh, in every food is formalin contaminated to keep free from microorganisms. Though it is a harmful agent but our digestive system can digest a certain level. I want to know the exact level, can you help me with reference?
Formaldehyde smell can be detected at very low concentrations (about 2 ppm). In America, 20 ppm is considered as immediatly dangerous for life and health. OSHA TWA is 0.75 ppm (with a 2ppm ceiling). Tests on rats suggest a greater toxicity when inhaled with LC50 of 250-480 ppm (4 hours). LD50 of formalin is about 800mg/kg. Normal formaldehyde concentration in human blood is 2.61 +\- 0.14 ug/kg. Formaldehyde uptake is not recommanded but the chemical is rapidly metabolized to formic acid and then to CO2 (or incorporated to cellular molécules). Hope it helps and good luck in finding nutritional related info !
Dear Sir Asalamualikum, Below discussed information may be helpful.
Formaldehyde is used directly in aqueous solution (formalin) as a
disinfectant and preservative in many applications. It has recently been suggested by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) that formaldehyde is causally associated with cancers such as nasopharyngeal cancer, Sinonasal cancer (NPC), oral cavity, oro- and hypopharynx, pancreas, larynx, lung and brain. It is also associated with the leukemia.
Levels of formaldehyde in outdoor air are generally below 0.001 mg/m3 in remote areas and below 0.02 mg/m3 in urban settings. The levels of formaldehyde in the indoor air of houses are typically 0.02–0.06 mg/m3. Average levels of 0.5 mg/m3 or more have been measured in ‘mobile homes'. (IARC).
A weight of evidence-based formaldehyde exposure limit of 0.1 ppm is recommended as an indoor air level for all individuals for odor detection and sensory irritation. The threshold for subjective effects varies considerably from 0.1 to 2.5 ppm. The limit for airborne exposure to formaldehyde, set by OSHA’s Formaldehyde Standard Time-Weighted Average is 0.75 ppm in an 8-hour time-weighted average and 2 ppm for a 15-minute Short-Term Exposure Limit.
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