The widespread use of formalin, in preservation of fish, fruit and other
food items is posing a threat to public health. The chemical used as a
solution in water keeps fish fresh and makes fruits like mangoes,apples
attractive.
“This is a national public health issue. After my friend’s wife lost a
baby through miscarriage and investigations showed the presence of
formalin in her blood. When consumed, formalin goes to the liver and
destroys it.”
" Formalin’s effect on pregnancy and the reproductive system has been
studied in both humans and in laboratory animals. Formaldehyde has been
shown to decrease fertility and increase the risk of spontaneous
abortion (miscarriage) in humans. In laboratory animals, formaldehyde
can harm (birth defects and IQ) the developing fetus and damage sperm."
I do not know how many of you received this message from a
purportedly good Samaritan that meat sellers now use formalin to repel
flies from meat. The message advised consumers to patronise butchers
with flies around their meat as that is a clear sign of formalin-free
meat.According to the message on the social media, “People are using
formalin, the chemical used to preserve dead bodies in preserving meat
as it keeps flies away. When I asked a pharmacist, Capt. Kenneth, member of UPDF, he said it is possible.”
Continuing,
“This is a national public health issue. After my
friend’s wife lost a baby through miscarriage and investigations showed
the presence of formalin in her blood. When consumed, formalin goes to
the liver and destroys it.”
Formalin-contaminated meat will not have the usual meat smell. Shop with your eyes wide open.
Appealing to consumers, the author in the message stated, “Please,
people of God, this is serious.
When you go to buy meat, go to a butcher
that has flies around. Use this as the only way to confirm that there
is no formalin present. If the meat is without flies, what is keeping
them away is formalin.
Be informed. Share this information please and
save a life.”
Formalin is an aqueous solution of the chemical compound
Formaldehyde. Basically, between 35% and 40% solution of formaldehyde in
water make formalin. It is used in the preservation of biological
specimen and embalming in order to delay their decomposition.
It is also used for drying skin before or after surgical removal of
warts or where dryness is required. Also, it is used for treating
excessive foot moisture.
Formalin is said to be most effective for the treatment of Iche diseased
fish and controlling parasites especially in fish ponds, etcetera. A
mixture of formalin, methanol, ethanol and other solvents makes the
embalming fluid which is used to preserve bodies till funeral.
What is formalin?
Formalin is a colourless strong-smelling chemical substance usually used
in industry of textiles, plastics, papers, paint, construction, and
well known to preserve human corpse. It is derived from formaldehyde gas
dissolved in water.
Exposure from its gas or vapor can cause irritation to the eyes, nose
and respiratory tract, causing sneezing, sore throat, larynx
constriction, bronchitis and pneumonia. Multiple exposures can lead to
asthma. It can also affect the skin, causing dermatitis or allergic
reaction.
Serious inhalation or ingestion can cause severe pain with inflammation
ulceration and necrosis of the mucous membranes, which line almost every
internal organ. This may show as symptoms of nausea, vomiting blood,
diarrhea with bloody stool, blood from the urine, acidosis, vertigo, and
circulation failure, then death. 30mL is suggested the lethal dose of
formalin. The limit allowed in air that is still safe for human is less
than 2 ppm.
Formalin that was recently found in food, might not give such obvious
reactions. However, this substance is known to be a carcinogenic
substance, can precipitate cancer. A study showed mice exposed to
formalin with concentration of 6 to 15 ppm for 2 years developed
squamous-cell carcinoma in the nostril. Some other studies also show
formalin will cause kidney, liver, and lung problems.
Formalin inside?
- Fish. The fish will be stiff, have rubbery meat, hard scales, red
gills, clear eyes, doesn’t have the “fishy smell” and no flies flying
around.
- Squid. Very rubbery consistency. Unable to break the meat by hand, which you usually could, only can be cut by a knife.
- Other sea products, including dried salty fish. Formalin will make
the fish become stiff, whitish and odorless. Even when cooked, i.e.
fried, it will still be stiff.
How to avoid food with formalin?
- Fish, especially sea fish. Press the fish, if it feels tender, it
should be free of formalin. Choose fish which still has its fishy smell.
It’s best to buy live fish.
- Avoid dried salty fish
"Formalin that was recently found in food, not only cause such health hazards, it can precipitate cancer."
FRUITS
Fruits are known to be foods of heaven. Fruits are being considered as
nature’s best gift for human beings. Everyone knows that fruits are
delicious, that is why, all generations of people are fond of them very
much. But these heavenly foods aren’t that heavenly in our country. A
section of unscrupulous traders were mixing formalin with foodstuff,
including fruits. For the last few years, the contamination of foods
with formalin is a burning issue, gradually people are coming to know
how formalin is injurious to our health. Now people fear to eat fruits,
even though fruits are proven to be very nutritious scientifically for
centuries. Many essential nutrients are only present in fruits;
therefore, contamination of formalin with fruits has deprived children
from these essential nutrients. Conscious parents, who are concerned
about this contamination, are not willing to give fruits to their
children.
Formalin is a chemical used for preserving dead bodies in hospital
mortuaries and dissection room in medical colleges, fixation of biopsy
sample in medical examinations, and for disinfection of hospital rooms,
operation theatres and few surgical instruments. But this formalin is
now used unethically for preserving fruits. Formalin delays
decomposition of fruits, so most of the venders use formalin. It is
heard that fruits especially mangoes and litchis are sprayed with
formalin when they are on trees! The widespread use of formalin, in
preservation of fruit is posing a threat to public health. The chemical
used as a solution in water keeps fruit apparently fresh and makes
fruits like mangoes attractive. In our country presence of formalin has
already been detected in fruits like apples, bananas, grapes, mangoes
and even maltas.
How do you recognize a formalin free fruit?
A fresh fruit is always firm or soft on touch. Its skin shows natural
look which changes day by day. A fruit dipped in formalin solution feels
hard on touch. Colour of the fruits skin becomes dull and will not
change over time. Usually the smell of fruits attract many insects. So,
fresh fruits are surrounded by many fruit loving insects. But fruits
with formalin are free from flies, bees, ants or any other fruit loving
insects. So, before you buy fruits watch for these scenarios.
Formalin is also used for preserving milk, fish, fruit and other foodstuffs, including vegetables.
Formalin is dangerous for all ages; children and older people are
affected easily and badly. It is said, once formalin is added, it cannot
be removed. So washing of fruits is not effective to make it safe. Few
of our superstores claim they are selling formalin free fruits but these
small effort are not in the reach of general people. Most people are
exposed to the risk of formalin intoxication. Intoxication of food
stuffs like fruits by formalin silently ruin our future generation. Only
awareness is not sufficient. Who has the responsibility to save us?
fresh fruits are surrounded by many fruit loving insects. But fruits
with formalin are free from flies, bees, ants or any other fruit loving
insects. So, before you buy fruits watch for these scenarios.
Health hazards of formalin
Formalin is such a harmful chemical that the handlers of them are not
safe. Formalin has a bad effect on eyes and nose. Eyes are most
sensitive to formaldehyde (formalin) exposure. The eyes, nose, and
throat are irritated by formaldehyde vapors at levels as low as about
0.3 part formaldehyde per million parts of air (0.3 part per million,
or 0.3 “ppm”). The lowest level at which many people can begin to smell
formaldehyde is about 0.05ppm. Exposure from its gas or vapor can cause
irritation to the eyes, nose and respiratory tract, resulting in watery
eyes, sneezing, headache, and burning sensations in throat, cough, and
difficulty in breathing. Multiple exposures (5-30 ppm and higher) can
trigger or aggravate asthma symptoms. Serious inhalation or ingestion
can cause severe pain with inflammation, ulceration and necrosis of the
mucous membranes, which lines almost every internal organ of the body.
Formaldehyde solutions can destroy your skin’s natural protective oils,
causing dryness, flaking, cracking, and dermatitis (skin rash). Skin
contact can also cause an allergic reaction (redness, itching, hives,
and blisters). Sometimes formalin can affect the retina and cause
blindness.
Fruits dipped in formalin are harmful to health. The ingestion of
formaldehyde over a prolonged period can develop respiratory, digestive,
cardiac, nephrological and neurological problems, along with cancer.
Formalin is highly toxic to all animals, regardless of method of intake.
Ingestion of as little as 30 ml (1 oz.) of a solution containing 37%
formaldehyde has been reported to cause death in an adult human. Water
solution of formaldehyde, i.e. formalin, is very corrosive and its
ingestion can immediately cause severe injury to the upper digestive
system. This may show up as symptoms of nausea, vomiting blood, and
diarrhoea with bloody stool, blood from the urine, breathlessness,
vertigo, and circulation failure, then death. 30ml is the suggested
lethal dose of formalin. When formaldehyde enters into the body it is
converted to formic acid, increases the acidity of blood and causes
severe shortness of breath. But its long term use has a delayed effect
such as damaging of kidneys, liver, brain, bone marrow, body defense and
on fetus in pregnant women.
Some other studies also show formalin will cause kidney failure, liver
damage, and lung problems like- bronchitis (chronic cough), pneumonia
(severe inflammation in lung), asthma and allergic reactions.
Researchers said its effects on the brain can cause dementia and loss of
memory.
Anaemia and blood cancer can be consequences of bone marrow depression
when formalin travels in blood. It also weakens the body’s defense
mechanism against infections, resulting in repeated attacks of diseases.
Formalin’s effect on pregnancy and the reproductive system has been
studied in both humans and in laboratory animals. Formaldehyde has been
shown to decrease fertility and increase the risk of spontaneous
abortion (miscarriage) in humans. In laboratory animals, formaldehyde
can harm (birth defects and IQ) the developing fetus and damage sperm.
Formalin that was recently found in food, not only cause such health
hazards, it can precipitate cancer. A study showed mice exposed to
formalin with concentration of 6 to 15 ppm for 2 years developed
squamous-cell carcinoma (a type of cancer in mucous membrane) in the
nose, sinuses, stomach as well as some types of blood cancer (leukemia
and lymphoma).