Symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning occur within a short time from the moment of injury. The skin, mucous membranes of the lungs, as well as the gastrointestinal tract can hurt - it all depends on where the chemical got. Regardless of the degree of poisoning, you need to call doctors, and before their arrival, ventilate the room where the patient is and unfasten clothing that may interfere with his breathing.
Where is formalin used?
Speaking about formaldehyde (formalin), it is worth noting that this is an aqueous solution that does not have color. Therefore, visually identify it will not work. But it can be easily recognized by its smell - strong, asphyxiating.
If we talk about where formaldehyde is used, then first of all you need to pay attention to the furniture industry. It is there that formalin-based resins are used to process wood and not only.
The solution is also present in organic dyes, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. It is actively used as a strengthening substance. The bottom line is that formaldehyde perfectly tans cell proteins, which allows you to get tanned gelatin in the end. The latter, in turn, is actively used when working with leather, textiles and for the production of film.
Household chemicals, cosmetics, embalming and disinfectants may also contain formalin.
Features of the poisoning process
Formaldehyde is a toxic substance. For this reason, it has a cauterizing and irritating effect on the mucous membranes and tissues. If such a substance enters the body, it will inevitably oxidize, reacting with blood, and turn into formic acid.
The result of this process can be renal failure, since the load on this organ will increase significantly. The situation is complicated by the fact that this substance is slowly excreted from the body.
But this negative impact on the human body of formaldehyde is not limited. Since it has the properties of mutagen and carcinogen, the lesion will spread to nerve tissue and the brain. Also, the substance has an extremely negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
Considering the effect on the body of formaldehyde, it is worth noting the fact that it spreads very quickly throughout the body. For penetration into the bone marrow, it will be enough for him 12 hours, so you can not hesitate with treatment.
How does poisoning occur?
It is important to understand that many substances containing formalin will not be able to have a negative effect on humans. In this case, formaldehyde can have an extremely negative effect on the human body if it is in the form of vapors. You can breathe it in before it becomes clear that a harmful substance is present in the room. Moreover, even when they smell bad, people do not always respond quickly.
For this reason, poisoning with formaldehyde vapor is a real health threat. Also, objects in which a high concentration of the compound is present can be a hazard.
The most common include the following causes of poisoning:
- Skin contact due to careless handling. If direct contact with the chemical occurs, a burn may occur. The most serious damage will be when formalin gets into the eyes: the victim may partially or completely lose his vision.
- Non-observance of industrial safety rules. Poisoning can occur if workers in enterprises where formalin is used do not wear respirators, protective suits, and a special uniform.
- Consumption of products that have been treated with formaldehyde. Such poisoning can occur as a result of the actions of sellers, who want to keep the attractive appearance of fish and meat longer, treat them with this chemical. In order not to be a victim of such an attitude, you need to sniff the goods of this product group before you buy. Since the formalin solution has a strong odor, it is not difficult to feel it.
- Accidental or special use of formaldehyde inside. Curious children can taste the solution.
Thus, if the smell of formalin is present on products, things or in the air, you need to quickly distance yourself from its place of presence.
Symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning
The fact how obvious the signs of damage to the body will be is largely dependent on the concentration of the chemical in the air or the amount of substance trapped inside.
Death can occur if 50-60 ml of formalin has entered the gastrointestinal tract or lungs. In children and people with poor health, irreversible changes can occur from a smaller amount.
It is important to understand that the danger is not only acute, but also a chronic form of poisoning. It is the result of prolonged exposure to formalin on the body. The result of this process can be problems with the central nervous system, lung damage and even malignant tumors.
As for the clinical symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning, then these include:
- sore throat;
- increased secretion of tears and saliva;
- dry cough;
- dilated pupils;
- suffocating cough, sometimes developing into laryngeal edema and suffocation (if poisoning by chemical vapor has occurred);
- pain in the abdomen, vomiting, and nausea;
- a sharp drop in blood pressure;
- increased heart rate;
- impaired consciousness, which can go into a deep coma;
- pain along the esophagus caused by a burn of the mucous membrane (these are signs of oral formaldehyde poisoning);
- shakiness when walking, impaired coordination of movements;
- hand shake;
- pain of certain areas of the skin, accompanied by redness;
- the appearance of bubbles with a clear liquid inside.
If the chemical was in the air, then the symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning will affect the respiratory system. If this organic compound gets on the skin, signs will appear, respectively, on the skin.
Complications
Within 20-40 minutes after poisoning, the condition of the victim can worsen. We are talking about such complications as:
- Toxic hepatitis and acute liver failure. In this state, pain appears in the right hypochondrium, the mucous membranes and skin turn yellow, and consciousness is impaired. All this is accompanied by black loose stools and dark vomiting. The skin color also changes - it becomes pale.
- Swelling of the mucous membrane of the larynx and lungs. The result may be asphyxiation.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding. It develops due to the fact that the vascular walls of the duodenum and submucosal layer of the stomach are corroded by a chemical.
First aid
You need to respond quickly to poisoning, as the victim may die from pain shock, pulmonary edema, or internal bleeding. The first thing to do is to remove the poisoned person from the room or place where contact with the chemical occurred.
It is also important to understand that it will not work to provide full assistance using a first-aid kit. It is necessary to call an ambulance. And while waiting for her arrival, first aid should be provided for formaldehyde poisoning. The algorithm of actions in this situation is as follows:
- Provide the patient with fresh air and peace of mind. It is necessary to unbutton the victim’s shirt and open all the windows in the room.
- Do not attempt to induce vomiting to empty the stomach or flush it. This procedure should be performed only by doctors, using a special solution and a stomach tube.
- Drink the victim. For this, simple cold water is suitable. If the poisoning occurred due to the ingress of formaldehyde into the air, it is recommended that the patient be given warm sweet tea (it should not be hot).
- Ensure airway if the victim is unconscious. To do this, you need to turn the patient’s head to the side, putting him on the back in front of this.
- Rinse affected area using running water. It will be enough for 20 minutes. This action is necessary if the chemical gets on the mucous membranes or skin.
Treatment
The first thing that doctors do after arrival is to assess the condition of the patient after formaldehyde poisoning. Treatment is carried out when basic anamnestic information is received. To do this, check pressure, breathing, heart rate, etc.
First aid provided by doctors includes the following actions:
- They put a dropper with solutions that lower the level of intoxication.
- The gastric cavity is washed with saline or water through a probe. The procedure avoids more damage to the walls of the stomach and intestines, and also helps to remove the remaining chemical.
- Anesthetics are administered. They are used in case of severe pain after a burn of the esophagus.
- Artificial respiration and intubation are performed in case of laryngeal edema.
- Introduce drugs that stabilize blood pressure, respiration and palpitations.
When is hospitalization carried out?
If the patient's condition worsens significantly, they may take him to the toxicological department or intensive care unit.
Treatment, which is carried out in a hospital, includes the following steps:
- Formalin antidote is introduced. This is a three percent chloride or ammonium carbonate. The purpose of this procedure is to neutralize the action of formalin.
- They purify the blood if the kidneys are affected.
- They inject drugs that normalize heart rate.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding is stopped, if detected.
- Droppers are put in order to conduct forced diuresis. An increase in the volume of urine formed allows you to increase the rate of removal of the chemical from the body, provided that the kidney function has been preserved.
Treatment and examination of a patient in a hospital is carried out in parallel. As diagnostic measures, an electrocardiogram, an ultrasound scan, a general urine test, and blood biochemistry are used.
Prevention
If you have to work in production where formalin is used, then you need to carefully adhere to safety rules:
- use respiratory tract protection;
- install a good ventilation system in the working room;
- Do not smoke or eat in areas where formaldehyde-containing materials are handled.
Rooms with new furniture or carpets can be hazardous to health. The bottom line is that formalin is often used in the production process of these goods. If its concentration is high, then an unpleasant odor will be felt in the room. In this case, frequent ventilation is recommended.
As for cosmetics, medicines and household chemicals, they must be stored in places where children can not get.
Summary
Formalin is a dangerous substance that can cause significant harm to human health. You can identify it by a noticeable unpleasant odor. When poisoned with this chemical, symptoms appear quickly. And if available, you need to immediately call an ambulance to cleanse the patient's body.