A colorless gas with a pungent odor. 2.6 billion kgs of HCOH produced annually in USA, mainly as UF resin. UF resin will break down with heat into formaldehyde gas. Sale of UFFI banned in 1982 in US and in 1980 in Canada. Health effects Formaldehyde is a water-soluble gas and people show sensitized responses to this.
Toxicity occurs through contact with skin and mucus membrane of eyes, nose, and throat.
Symptoms include fatigue, memory lapse, headache, difficulty sleeping. Over time may lead to chronic respiratory disease and possibly cancers of nose and respiratory tract. Health Effects Approx. Emissions from UFFI HCOH emitted from blocks of UFFI at 33 C air temperature and low or high humidity over time. This so-called hydrolytic breakdown is why there is slow, continued HCOH release from UFFI over very long time periods.