Is the fish on your plate safe to eat? Know the health effects of exposure to formalin

Authorities have seized fresh fish products treated with toxic chemical formalin in Nagaland and Kerala. Formalin is a solution of formaldehyde, a toxic chemical linked to cancer.

New Delhi: Recently, fresh fish products preserved in formalin have been seized in Kerala and Nagaland. Basically, formalin is a colourless solution (about 40 percent) of formaldehyde, a pungent gas highly toxic to human health. It is used to preserve bodies and prevent its decay in mortuaries and medical laboratories. The chemical formaldehyde is also used to make many household products. According to National Cancer Institute (NIH), formaldehyde also occurs naturally in the environment. Exposure to formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in animal studies.

According to news reports, fresh fish products, including crustaceans, treated with formalin were found to be selling in these states. Following the incidents, and as a corrective measure, a notification was issued in Nagaland prohibiting the storage, distribution and sale of fresh fish products treated with formalin or other forms of preservatives for a period of three months or till corrective measures are taken in the sate. Food Safety Commissioner, Himato Zhimomi said that fish products treated with formalin or other forms of preservatives are considered ‘unsafe’ under Section 3(1)(zz)(v) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

How are people exposed to formalin? What are the health hazards of formalin?

The deadly solution is now being used widely in the preservation of fish, fruit and other food items, posing a great threat to public health. Formalin treatment prevents fish and other food items from rotting for many days. The chemical is highly toxic, irrespective of how it is consumed. It has been shown that consumption of as little as 30ml of a solution containing 37 percent of formaldehyde can kill an adult.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has concluded that formaldehyde is ‘carcinogenic to humans’ based on higher risks of nasopharyngeal cancer and leukaemia. Based on data from studies in people and from lab research, researchers from National Cancer Institute have concluded that exposure to formaldehyde may cause leukaemia, particularly myeloid leukaemia, in humans.

According to American Cancer Society, short-term health effects of formaldehyde exposure include coughing, wheezing, nausea, skin irritation, watery eyes, burning sensations of the eyes, nose, and throat. When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.1 parts per million (ppm), some people who are very sensitive to formaldehyde may experience these symptoms. However, others have no reaction to the same level of exposure.

Also, formaldehyde in consumer products such as cosmetics and lotions can cause an allergic reaction in the skin - such as allergic contact dermatitis). This can lead to an itchy, red rash which may become raised or develop blisters.

Cigarette smoke and the use of unvented fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves, wood-burning stoves, and kerosene heaters, are other potential indoor sources of formaldehyde. If you’re concerned about formaldehyde exposure from personal care products and cosmetics, try to avoid using the ones that contain or release this chemical. Yet, researchers aren’t clear whether this will provide any health benefit since the amount of formaldehyde released from these products is low.