Health Hazards of Formaldehyde to the Human Body

Formaldehyde can harm human health in several ways, including affecting sleep quality, causing allergic reactions, impairing immune function, influencing fetal development, increasing the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer, and more. If discomfort or other symptoms occur, medical attention should be sought promptly. 1. **Affecting Sleep Quality**: Long-term exposure to formaldehyde may interfere with sleep quality, leading to insomnia and poor sleep. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and memory decline. 2. **Causing Allergic Reactions**: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to formaldehyde. Symptoms after exposure may include skin itching, redness, swelling, and rashes. These symptoms can persist for a long time and affect quality of life. 3. **Impairing Immune Function**: Formaldehyde can negatively affect the human immune system, reducing resistance and making individuals more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections. People exposed to formaldehyde over long periods are more prone to common illnesses such as colds and coughs, with longer recovery periods. 4. **Affecting Fetal Development**: Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde in pregnant women increases the risk of abnormal fetal development, such as birth defects and low birth weight. Formaldehyde can cross the placental barrier and harm the fetus, affecting its normal development. 5. **Increasing the Risk of Nasopharyngeal Cancer**: Long-term exposure to formaldehyde increases the risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer. Formaldehyde has been classified by the World Health Organization as a carcinogen, capable of increasing the incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer. To reduce the health risks associated with formaldehyde, indoor air should be kept well-ventilated, qualified building materials should be used, and immediate occupancy after renovation should be avoided as much as possible.