Tuesday, September 18, 2018

M4.2: National Library ToxNet

Human health effects associated with exposure to:

Urea formaldehyde
  • short term exposure to low concentration of formaldehyde can cause irritation to skin, eyes, nose, and throat
  • causes cancer of the nasopharynx and leukemia 
  • for females, it can lead to menstrual disorders, inflammatory disease of the reproductive track, sterility, anemia, and low birth weights among offspring

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)
  • irritation of skin, eyes
  • pain and inflammation of mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, erosion of mucous membrane
  • circulatory collapse, shallow respirations 
I was especially disturbed by the health effects associated with exposure to bleach, especially the exposure stories included. I use bleach at work so I'm now extremely conscious of coming to contact with it. 

2 comments:

  1. I too was surprised about the bleach as well, especially as a respiratory exposure. I tell you, I'm happy they don't put formaldehyde in baby shampoo anymore.... wow!

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  2. I didn't realize bleach was associated with circulatory collapse and shallow breathing until I did this assignment. I've always thought the smell was unpleasant and didn't like to be around it... now I know why!

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