Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/865272
W EEKLY EDITION AUG 23, 2017 What You Need to Know about Formaldehyde …continued By PSAI Executive Director Karleen Kos As was noted in the research from 1905, formaldehyde is a dangerous chemical. More recent research from multiple sources, including OSHA, has confirmed the dangers from skin contact and inhalation of formaldehyde. As a sensitizer, formaldehyde can cause many allergic reactions like rashes, watering and itching eyes, and asthma to name a few. It has also been determined that those that come in contact with formaldehyde and formalin on a regular basis are at much higher risk of developing cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and nasal passages. It's not so much of a danger to the patron of a portab le toilet unless t hey are hyper allergic to formaldehyde. In that case, it could lead to the development of a skin rash, breathing difficulty or an asthmatic reaction. The people with the highest risk are the employees that are working with the formaldeh yde deodorizers on a daily basis. They will inevitably be exposed to the volatile fumes while working in closed tight spaces and the occasional splashing on the arms and hands. […] While formaldehyde deodorizers are biodegradable, its use does create i ssues at water treatment facilities and this leads us to another disadvantage. [Publicly Owned Treatment Works] POTWs are, increasingly, trying to eliminate formaldehyde from the wastewater stream. Formaldehyde is so good at killing bacteria that it can kill and upset the POTWs balance of good bacteria in the water clarification process. Fewer dumpsite locations are available to the formaldehyde deodorizer user and the disposal cost can be higher in some instances as operators have to travel further ou t to find a dumpsite that accepts formaldehyde - tainted wastewater. […] Any other words of wisdom? To be perfectly honest and fair, it would be disingenuous for me to suggest that formaldehyde is the only dangerous deodorizer out there. Most every de odorizer in use today has some portion of its f ormulation that could be considered harmful or dangerous at some level, and caution and care should be exercised when using all portable restroom deodorizers. Many fragrances can cause allergic reactions. Som e surfactants like [alkylphenol ethoxylates or APES (synthetics found in detergents and cleaning products among other things)] have been singled out as "bad actors." They too, have been refused by POTWs. Many of the alternative antimicrobial agents can be dangerous as well but, most [products] being offered as a "non - formaldehyde" d eodorizer ha[ve] not been proven to cause cancer or the other illnesses associated with formaldehyde [to date]. PAGE 4 CONTINUE D ON PAGE 5