Formaldahyde, What are the chemical possibilities? Options

[spunky393]

What would happen if you put, oh, say 20 ounces of formaldahyde (clean of course) in your gas tank?

[shin]

what is that?

[rjbibeau]

knock your car unconcious

[BlackCelicaGT94]

A colorless, pungent, and irritating gas, CH20, used chiefly as a disinfectant and preservative and in synthesizing other compounds like resins.

[ILuvMyCelica95]

Did you mean formaldehyde?

and why would you put it in your gas tank?

[BlackCelicaGT94]

cuz its a disinfectant and hes thinking it will clean it im sure

[ILuvMyCelica95]

aren't there a lot of heal risks if you inhale or are exposed to formaldehyde?

This calls for a goooooooogle search!

This post has been edited by ILuvMyCelica95: May 19, 2005 - 5:29 PM

[ILuvMyCelica95]

WHAT IS FORMALDEHYDE AND WHERE IS IT FOUND?

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a strong, suffocating odor. It often is mixed with alcohol to make a liquid called formalin. The largest source of formaldehyde is the chemical manufacturing industry. Formaldehyde is found in cigarette smoke and also can be formed in the environment during the burning of fuels or household waste. Very small amounts of formaldehyde are found naturally in the human body.

Formaldehyde can be used for many purposes and is a popular chemical because of its low cost. It can be found in items such as plywood, particle board, and other pressed wood products that are commonly used to make furniture, cabinets, wall paneling, shelves, and counter tops. Formaldehyde also can be used to kill germs or as a preservative, and is found in some commercial products. It also is found in items such as dyes, textiles, plastics, paper products, fertilizer, and cosmetics.

Formaldehyde was a component in urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI). This type of insulation was installed in many homes during the 1970s and early 1980s. Due to potential health concerns associated with UFFI, the demand for this product became virtually nonexistent and it has rarely been used since 1983. Although older homes may still contain UFFI, any formaldehyde releases would have occurred in the first five years following installation and would no longer be a cause for concern.

HOW CAN I BE EXPOSED TO FORMALDEHYDE?

The most common way to be exposed to formaldehyde is by breathing air containing formaldehyde. This usually occurs in indoor environments where the gas has been released from formaldehyde-containing products. Exposure to liquid formalin may be through the skin or by ingestion.

HOW CAN FORMALDEHYDE AFFECT MY HEALTH?

Breathing air containing low levels of formaldehyde can cause burning and watering eyes. As levels increase, it can cause burning of the nose and throat, coughing, and difficulty in breathing. Some people may be more sensitive to formaldehyde and have effects at levels lower than expected.

Strong mixtures of formaldehyde gas or liquid can cause irritation or a rash if they contact the skin. When swallowed, formaldehyde can cause severe pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Formaldehyde that enters the blood stream can produce effects similar to drinking too much alcohol.

Animal studies have shown increased nasal cancers in rats and mice who inhaled high levels of formaldehyde for a long time. Because of this, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen (cancer causing agent). This means there is enough evidence that formaldehyde causes cancer in animals, but not enough evidence that it causes cancer in humans. Human studies are inconclusive because it is not known whether observed increases in cancer are due to formaldehyde exposure or to other factors, such as smoking.


taaa daaaaaaaaaaa... yes i know that was pointless, but it gave me something to do

[spunky393]

BlackCelica, let me be the first to tell you, YOU ARE HALARIOUS!!! not

Anyways, i work with chemicals such as this very often (microbiology and zoology), and just like adding ethanol, i was curious if this would have the same effect. For the fact that formaldehyde is a more potent chemical than straight ethanol (everclear)

[Mynzeyes]

FORMALDEHYDE > shark decomposition.



yes, that's real.
yes, that's on my desk.


This post has been edited by Mynzeyes: May 20, 2005 - 1:15 AM

[CheesyLobster]

Formaldehyde is used mostly for preserving the tissue of dead animals or people. (Come on kids, high school biology????)


The kind that he is talking about is in a liquid form. If you put it in your gas tank, I'm sure you will destroy your engine. Same thing as putting like turpintine, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol in there. Why would you do that??

[red94celicagt]

sabotage (SP?) someone's car perhaps?