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Liquid Vitamins Fortify Phytonutrients, Why?
Copyright 2005 Daniel Weigum
Phytonutrients or phytochemicals have recently been recognized
as playing an important part in one's health. Research has shown
that phytonutrients play a crucial role in proper absorption of
nutrients. Also,...
Priorities
Unfortunately, most of us need a little reminder every now and then about what is really important. Something will happen in our lives and we just sort of sit up, slap our foreheads stupidly, and say "DOH! Of course! I knew that, but I forgot that I...
TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE 2
In part one of this series, titled “Take Back Your Life”; we discussed the importance of proper cell function as it relates to wellness. Here in part 2, we will discuss why it is important to feed the organs of your endocrine system to further...
The Facts About Lung Cancer - Better To Be Aware
Keep yourself abreast of facts about lung cancer, as the statistics of affliction are staggering and in most cases, lung cancer can even be prevented. Cancer, the dreaded disease, is a malady marked by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells,...
The Healthy Little Seed That Is Gaining Popularity
Flaxseed has been around since the time of the Emperor Charlemagne. Lately, it has received a lot of attention. Studies have shown that flaxseed has many benefits because of its variety of properties. Here are four reasons to consider adding...
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What You Should Know About Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde (aka methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethylene, methylaldehyde, oxomethane) is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature. It has a sharp, distinct odor which may cause a burning sensation to the eyes, nose, and lungs. Formaldehyde can react with numerous other chemicals, and at very high temperatures, it will break down into a combination of wood alcohol and carbon monoxide. While it is harmless when it is naturally produced in very small amounts in our bodies, it can also be found in the air that we breathe at home and at work (ie smog, car exhaust, tobacco, gas cookers, open fireplaces, fertilizers, latex, leather, paper, plywood, and in manufactured wood products), in the food we eat (ie preservatives), and in some products that we put on our skin (ie antiseptics, medicines, cosmetics, dish-washing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe-care agents, carpet cleaners, glues and adhesives, lacquers, paper, plastics, and some types of wood products). When formaldehyde is combined with methanol and buffers, it makes embalming fluid and it can also be used to preserve tissue specimens.
Most of the formaldehyde that you're exposed to in the environment is in the air. This usually breaks down throughout the day to form formic acid and carbon monoxide. This doesn't seem to build up in plants, animals or water. However, you are exposed to small amounts of formaldehyde in the air. This is especially true if you live in heavily populated suburban areas. Surprisingly though, there's usually more formaldehyde present indoors than outdoors. This is because formaldehyde is released into the air from many home products that you breathe in. These products include latex paint, fingernail hardener, and fingernail polish, antiseptics, medicines, dish-washing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe-care agents, carpet cleaners, glues, adhesives, and lacquers. Formaldehyde is also found in plywood and particle board, as well as furniture and cabinets made from them, fiberglass products, new carpets, decorative laminates, and some permanent press fabrics, and some paper products (ie grocery bags and paper towels). Since these products contain formaldehyde, you may also be exposed through your skin by touching or coming in direct contact with them. You may also be exposed to small amounts of formaldehyde in the food you eat. Other home products that contain and give off formaldehyde include: household cleaners, carpet cleaners, disinfectants, cosmetics, medicines, fabric softeners, glues, lacquers, and antiseptics. You may also breathe formaldehyde if you use unvented gas or kerosene heaters indoors or if you or someone else smokes tobacco indoors. It is also interesting to note that the amount of formaldehyde in mobile homes and apartments is usually higher than it is in conventional homes because of their lower air turnover.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that 1,329,332 individuals in the United States have had the potential for occupational exposure to formaldehyde. This is especially true if you are a doctor, nurse, dentist, veterinarian, pathologist, embalmer, a worker in the clothing industry or in a furniture factory, a worker in a chemical plant, or if you are a teacher or a student who handles preserved specimens in a laboratory.
There are numerous ways in which formaldehyde can enter your body, These include breathing it in, drinking or eating it, or having it come into contact with your skin. Formaldehyde is quickly
absorbed from the nose and the upper part of your lungs. It is also very quickly absorbed whenever it is eaten or drank. Once absorbed, almost every tissue in your body can very quickly break down formaldehyde into a non-toxic chemical called formate, which is excreted in the urine. Formaldehyde can also be converted to carbon dioxide and breathed out of the body. Sometimes formaldehyde is even broken down so that the body can use it to make larger molecules that are needed in your tissues. However, formaldehyde is never stored in fat.
Children are most often exposed to formaldehyde through breathing it or by wearing some types of new clothes or cosmetics. Studies have shown that breathing formaldehyde in will result in nose and eye irritation (ie burning feeling, itchy, tearing, and sore throat) in children. It is possible that the irritation occurs at lower concentrations in children than in adults. However, the good news (if there's any to be found), is that formaldehyde will NOT cause birth defects in humans nor is it found in breast milk.
When you come into contact with formaldehyde you will usually have skin irritation. Of course, some people are more sensitive to the effects of formaldehyde than other people are (ie people with asthma are more sensitive). The most common symptoms include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, along with increased tearing. Other symptoms that occur with large amounts of formaldehyde intake include severe pain, vomiting, coma, and possible death. Studies have shown that exposure to large amounts of formaldehyde also causes nose and throat cancer.
All of this provides a hardcore case for desiring to lower our exposure to formaldehyde. Some ways in which to do this is by opening windows or using a fan to bring fresh air into your home. You should also try to remove as many formaldehyde sources as you can from your home. This includes not smoking indoors (or not smoking at all) and not using unvented portable kerosene heaters. Of course, formaldehyde is also found in small amounts in many consumer products. To reduce your exposure to formaldehyde when using these products you should try to use them near a source of fresh air. If this is not possible, then you should at least make sure that you have plenty of ventilation when you are using them. If you choose to purchase a product that is made out of plywood or particle board, expose it to plenty of fresh air or make sure that it is covered with plastic laminate or coated on all sides. When purchasing permanent press fabrics you should wash these new clothes before you wear them.
Unfortunately, there are currently no reliable tests to determine how much formaldehyde you have been exposed to or whether you will experience any harmful health effects. Until more research is done and new methods are discovered, your best course of action is to follow the above forestated tips.
About the Author: Reverend Brenda Hoffman, is ordained by the Universal Life Church, and has been delivering holistic health and wellness advice for over 7 years since receiving a BA in psychology. As a home-based professional and mother of 1, she operates a holistic wellness network. She invites you over to http://www.yourhealthyfamilyhome.com/
Source: www.isnare.com
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| BreastCancer.org - Breast Cancer Treatment Information and Pictures |
| Breast Cancer Information from a Nonprofit Organization. |
| www.breastcancer.org |
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| The Breast Cancer Site |
| Founded to help offer free mammograms to underprivileged women nationwide. With a simple, daily "click" visitors help provide mammograms to those in need. |
| www.thebreastcancersite.com |
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| Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation |
| The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is dedicated to education and research on breast cancer causes, treatment and the search for a cure. |
| www.komen.org |
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| Breast Cancer Information from National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc |
| Breast cancer information including early signs and symptoms of breast cancer, myths, early detection, breast cancer research and more from National Breast ... |
| www.nationalbreastcancer.org |
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| BreastCancer.Net: http://www.breastcancer.net |
| A clearinghouse for the latest news and information on the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer. |
| www.breastcancer.net |
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| Breast Cancer Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Educational resources on using Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat and prevent breast cancer. |
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| Breast Cancer Care - Homepage |
| Breast Cancer Care is the UK's leading provider of information, practical assistance and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer or breast ... |
| www.breastcancercare.org.uk |
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| Breakthrough Breast Cancer |
| Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the UKs leading charity committed to fighting breast cancer through research and education. |
| www.breakthrough.org.uk |
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| MedlinePlus: Breast Cancer |
| Search MEDLINE/PubMed for recent research articles on Breast Cancer: • Breast Cancer ... Select services and providers for Breast Cancer in your area. ... |
| www.nlm.nih.gov |
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| Breast Cancer Research | |
| Online and print journal covering topics of basic and clinical research relevant to breast cancer. Research articles are free to all users. |
| breast-cancer-research.com |
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| National Breast Cancer Centre - Evidence based information for ... |
| The National Breast Cancer Centre of Australia providing information about breast cancer for consumers and health professionals. |
| www.nbcc.org.au |
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| Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation: Run for the Cure: Select Language |
| Charitable organization which raises money to advance research, education, diagnosis and treatment. |
| www.cbcf.org |
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| Breast cancer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| That is why you will see breast cancer patients wearing braces, ... [5] Men can also develop breast cancer, but their risk is less than one in 1000 (see sex ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| End Breast Cancer from Care2.com and TBCF! |
| Help stop Breast Cancer by clicking daily - free! Supports efforts by The Breast Cancer Fund. |
| breastcancer.care2.com |
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| National Breast Cancer Foundation |
| The ultimate goal of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is to raise enough money to fund a cure for breast cancer. As Australia’s leading national ... |
| www.nbcf.org.au |
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| Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization |
| Support and information about the condition from this non-profit entity. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. |
| www.y-me.org |
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| Breast Cancer Home Page - National Cancer Institute |
| Information about breast cancer treatment, prevention, genetics, causes, screening, clinical trials, research and statistics from the National Cancer ... |
| www.cancer.gov |
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| What You Need To Know About™ Breast Cancer - National Cancer Institute |
| Information about detection, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. NIH Publication No. 05-1556. |
| www.cancer.gov |
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| Breast Cancer Campaign - Researching the cure |
| Breast Cancer Campaign is the only charity that specialises in funding independent breast cancer research throughout the UK. |
| www.breastcancercampaign.org |
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| NBCC - NBCC - National Breast Cancer Coalition |
| The National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund is a grassroots organization dedicated to ending breast cancer through the power of action and advocacy. |
| www.natlbcc.org |
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