Formaldehyde‐releasers: relationship to formaldehyde contact allergy. Contact allergy to formaldehyde and inventory of formaldehyde‐releasers

Abstract

This is one of series of review articles on formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers (others: formaldehyde in cosmetics, in clothes and in metalworking fluids and miscellaneous). Thirty-five chemicals were identified as being formaldehyde-releasers. Although a further seven are listed in the literature as formaldehyde-releasers, data are inadequate to consider them as such beyond doubt. Several (nomenclature) mistakes and outdated information are discussed. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde allergy are reviewed: applications, exposure scenarios, legislation, patch testing problems, frequency of sensitization, relevance of positive patch test reactions, clinical pattern of allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde, prognosis, threshold for elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis, analytical tests to determine formaldehyde in products and frequency of exposure to formaldehyde and releasers. The frequency of contact allergy to formaldehyde is consistently higher in the USA (8-9%) than in Europe (2-3%). Patch testing with formaldehyde is problematic; the currently used 1% solution may result in both false-positive and false-negative (up to 40%) reactions. Determining the relevance of patch test reactions is often challenging. What concentration of formaldehyde is safe for sensitive patients remains unknown. Levels of 200-300 p.p.m. free formaldehyde in cosmetic products have been shown to induce dermatitis from short-term use on normal skin. Formaldehyde is a common cause of contact allergy. In Europe, 2-3% of patients suspected of contact dermatitis have positive patch test reactions, and in the USA prevalence rates of sensitization of 8-9% are reported in this selected group of patients. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by formaldehyde is often chronic, presumably because it is difficult to avoid exposure to the allergen completely. Indeed, formaldehyde may be found in many cosmetics, toiletries, household products such as washing and cleaning agents and in a great number of industrial applications including adhesives, paints, lacquers and metalworking fluids. Often, the products are not preserved with formaldehyde itself, but with agents that release formaldehyde under usage conditions, the so-called formaldehydereleasers (or formaldehyde donors). Well-known examples are quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, preservatives frequently used in cosmetic products. Industrial products such as metalworking fluids frequently contain formaldehyde donors, such as the Bioban ® product range of biocides and tris(N-hydroxyethyl) hexahydrotriazine (better known by its trade name Grotan ® BK).Other products containing and releasing formaldehyde are the formaldehyde resins including urea formaldehyde and melamine formaldehyde resins. These were formerly used extensively as textile

Symptoms related to new flight attendant uniforms

“…In addition, relatively few chemicals of concern in clothing have been tested in laboratories. Besides metals and dyes, important clothing contaminants are formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers, dioxin, perfluorinated compounds, flame retardants, phthalates and other plasticizers such as diisodecyclmaleate, and pesticides used in shipment [27][28][29][30]. These and other chemicals have been associated with serious health consequences in laboratory and epidemiologic studies [31,32].…”

Direct Measurement of Gaseous Formaldehyde from Food with a Fiber-Optic Biochemical Gas Sensor (Bio-sniffer)

“…A Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) was chosen as a model sample because the mushroom produces FA as well as pyruvic acid and sulfur compounds through an enzymatic reaction that forms lenthionine-a compound responsible for the flavor of Shiitake. (22)(23)(24)(25)(26) First, the bio-sniffer for standard FA vapor was characterized to assess the capability of continuous monitoring and sensor sensitivity. Then, a gas mixture containing FA released from the mushroom was measured using the bio-sniffer.…”

Common Diaper Ingredient Questions: Modern Disposable Diaper Materials Are Safe and Extensively Tested

“…33,34 Formaldehyde releasers: Chemical preservatives often found in cosmetic products, including DMDM Hydantoin and Quaternium 15, that slowly release formaldehyde. Parabens Represent a class of compounds commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic products.…”