Ban on formaldehyde: why is it dangerous?

Formaldehyde is an organic compound in the aldehyde family with the formula CH2O. This organic compound goes by different names: methanal, formaldehyde or formic aldehyde, or Formol in the form of an aqueous solution. It is in this form that it is most commonly used, as it is very easily soluble in water. Why is formaldehyde banned or why is it dangerous?

Ban on formaldehyde

At room temperature, formaldehyde is a flammable gas. In nature, formaldehyde is found in cigarette smoke, forest fires and exhaust pipes, but it is also produced in living organisms (including humans). The action of UV rays on the earth's atmosphere also produces formaldehyde.

1. Use of formaldehyde

Synthesised at the end of the 19th century, formaldehyde has been widely used in industry ever since, particularly as a disinfectant. Formaldehyde is also used as a cadaver fixative and preservative, and is often used in the production of chemical products. Formaldehyde has been used as a food preservative, as well as in the manufacture of household products and cosmetics. It is also used in the manufacture of medical and paramedical equipment and to embalm bodies awaiting burial. Methanal or formaldehyde, combined with other chemicals such as phenol or melamine, can be used to manufacture explosives, synthetic foams or paint.

2. Banning formaldehyde: The dangers of formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is an organic compound that has been classified as carcinogenic since 2004 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. According to studies, formaldehyde is very dangerous to health. For example, the Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Environnement et du Travail (Afsset) estimates that exposure above a certain threshold (0.25 mg/m3 over 8 hours) can cause serious physical problems, including the development of cancer. Formaldehyde carries a risk of eye irritation, high exposure can lead to more serious irritation of the respiratory tract and repeated exposure to peaks can lead to a risk of cancer.

3.ban on formaldehyde: a substitute for formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is often used as a disinfectant in the workplace. Formaldehyde is present during airborne disinfection operations (formaldehyde generator) or contact cleaning. Formaldehyde can be substituted:
- with preparations based on peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, such as our 100% organic product: APABIO.
- or with chemical mixtures: quaternary ammonium, glyceraldehyde, sulphamic acid, alcohol....

Cleaning companies should therefore opt for equipment or machines that use disinfectants based on peracetic acid and/or hydrogen peroxide.

These products are totally biodegradable, harmless to humans and the environment and are low in concentration.

Following the ban on formaldehyde, IBL Specifik offers and markets APABIOa powerful broad-spectrum disinfectant based on peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, 100% ecological and 100% ORGANIC.

Product specification

SAFE AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT COMBINES RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND
IT IS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND SAFE TO USE, WITH HIGH DISINFECTION POWER.
Stable for 3 years: the secret of the range lies in stabilisation by a physical process, the result of many years of scientific research, which does not require the addition of any stabilising agents (e.g. heavy metals, silver ions, etc.).
Powerful 100% ECOLOGICAL disinfectant, based on hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid, non-toxic to humans and the environment.
Non-polluting, biodegradable 99% solution containing no formaldehyde, chlorine, phenol or heavy metals. Compatible with the disinfection of materials in contact with foodstuffs.
A highly stable, ready-to-use product with a broad spectrum of activity in accordance with French and European standards:
Bactericide EN 1040, EN 13727, EN 14561, EN 13697, NFT72-281 (Contact time: 30 seconds)
Fungicide EN 1275, EN 13624, EN 14562, EN 13697, NFT72-281 (Contact time: 30 seconds)
Sporicide EN 14347, EN 13704, NFT 72-231, NFT72-281 (5 minutes : B. subtilis / 5min: B. subtilis, C. difficile
5min: B. subtilis, C. sporogenes
Virucide EN 14476: (5 min: PRV, BVDV, herpes) (10 min: poliovirus, adenovirus, rotavirus)
Mycobactericide EN 14348 (5 minutes M. avium / 10 minutes M. terrae)
Data on PICHIA ANOMALA : (request)
"Complies with the standard for airborne disinfection: NF T 72-281 (2010) with our AIRBIO devices
PRODUCT PROPERTIES
- COMPOSITION
Hydrogen peroxide (CAS 7722-84-1) >7% ≤ 8 %
H2O2 BETWEEN 7 AND STRICTLY LESS THAN 8
Peracetic acid (CAS 79-21-0) < 0.9 %
APABIO 900 TO 2500 PPM
- PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Appearance: liquid; Colour: colourless; Density: 1.02; Odour: none; pH: 3.5.
USE
This product is recommended for all types of disinfection and for automatic disinfection of surfaces by air. It can be used undiluted by spraying or with a disinfection machine such as AIRBIO, MINIBIO or JETBIO. Follow the instructions for the machine you are using. Can also be used by spraying, brushing, soaking or injecting. Consult us for any other use.
AREAS OF APPLICATION:
Where terminal decontamination and disinfection is recommended or necessary:
Pharmaceutical, medical or research laboratories...
Medical environment: doctors' and paramedics' surgeries, hospitals, ambulances, etc.
Armed Forces / Police: disinfection of personnel and equipment in the event of biological attack...
Disinfection of mortuaries and autopsy rooms....
Disinfection after death
Local authorities: crèches, schools, retirement homes, etc.
Cafés, hotels, restaurants, sports halls, swimming pools...
Food industries, pharmaceutical laboratories/ Research and analysis laboratories
Disinfection of technical premises, installations (tanks, containers, pipes, etc.), etc.
All air conditioning and ventilation systems ...
PRECAUTIONS FOR USE:
- Before use, read the label and product information - Consult the safety data sheet - Keep out of reach of children - In case of repeated or prolonged contact, wear suitable gloves - Avoid contact with skin - May cause sensitisation by repeated or prolonged contact with skin - Risk of serious eye damage - In case of contact with eyes, Rinse with plenty of water - If skin contact or clothing contamination is possible, wear protective clothing - If swallowed, seek medical advice urgently and provide the safety data sheet - Avoid release to the environment - Do not eat, drink or smoke during use - Do not induce vomiting.
STORAGE
Stable product for 3 years. We recommend that you use the product within 12 to 24 months of opening and that you recap the can after each use. Store only in its original container in a cool, well-ventilated place. Protect from frost and keep away from combustible materials.
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PACKAGING
1000 litre tank
5 L cans.
0.5 L spray

Ban on formaldehyde and other substances ?
You will find attached the list of substances banned to date:www.legifrance.gouv.fr
2011 publication in the JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE :  ban on the use of certain biocidal products