The state of Washington has had laws on the books about formaldehyde for some time, but at the national level we have lagged behind. Just updated, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the 12th Report on Carcinogens on June 10, 2011. This report officially classifies Formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.
Most people think of formaldehyde as a preservative used in the embalming process (yeah, that's for dead people), but the astonishing fact about this deadly chemical is that it is present in a simply mind boggling number of our personal care products, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, baby products, and beauty products!
I personally am very careful about what products and manufacturers I choose for my home and body. Pay close attention to the labels, and actually look up some of the ingredients on the internet. You will find names like Quaternium 15, which is one of more than 35 different industry names for Formaldehyde. Here is a list, not necessarily a complete one, of some other trade names you will find in your products that are actually just formaldehyde in disguise.
Synonyms, Trade names: Formic acid aldehyde, formalin, methyl aldehyde, oxomethane, methyleneoxide, oxymethylene, formyl hydrate, Formol, Fannoform, BFV, Formalith, Ivalon, Lysoform, Morbicid, Superslysoform, Tannosynt, Antverruc, Sandovac, Vobaderin
If you know of others, please feel free to comment and include the trade name and the product you found it in. I am so glad there is finally a federal establishment recognizing this cancer causing substance as dangerous. Stand with me in refusing to use products that contain cancer!
For something YOU can do to help, check the link on the right to the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families organization. They are supporting the Safer Chemicals Act of 2010, which is fighting for stronger laws to support the safety of our consumer products.
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