Formaldehyde is a chemical that has been used for many years and which was originally used as a preservative to increase the shelf life of products.

 

Formaldehyde is a colourless substance with a strong odour, which is gaseous at room temperature. In addition to its use and presence in different products, formaldehyde is also present in nature.

 

Formaldehyde can be detected in the blood of mammals, in apples, grapes, and in wood etc. For instance, a kilogram of apples has a formaldehyde content of up to 22 mg, and fresh fish up to 100 mg/kg.

 

If processed incorrectly, formaldehyde can cause allergies as well as irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. High concentrations of formaldehyde are probably carcinogenic.