Learn → Glossary → preservative
Formaldehyde
Level 5 — High concernIn Winter's Dictionary
Formaldehyde is a preservative — Preservative, disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, defoamer in animal feed and defoaming additives
Also: Paraformaldehyde
What it does
Preservative, disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, defoamer in animal feed and defoaming additives
Where you'll see it
Animal feed, defoaming additives, embalming fluid
What the research says
Highly reactive chemical that damages hereditary substances in cells; causes lung cancer in rats; involved in DNA damage and inhibits its repair, potentiates X-ray toxicity in human lung cells. One ounce taken by mouth causes death within two hours.
Regulatory status
- US FDA: ASP
- Notes: ADI 3 mg/kg body weight
Sources
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): highly reactive chemical that is damaging to the hereditary substances in the cells of several species