Who doesn’t enjoy shopping for new clothes or giving a loved one or friend a new sweater as a gift? Most people these days certainly do take a degree of satisfaction from purchasing new clothing, however, everyone should be aware that new clothes, towels or even sheets might contain toxic chemicals like formaldehyde. Formaldehyde? Yep, that’s right, the chemical used in biology labs for preserving dead animals and body parts. But why would anyone put formaldehyde on clothing? There are several reasons that manufacturers use formaldehyde. It is believed that some of the chemicals help keep the fabric stain free, wrinkle free and disinfected. But more importantly, it should be made clear that formaldehyde is considered a carcinogen, a cancer causing agent.
Strangely enough, when clothes have a fresh, new scent to them, it’s from the chemicals used during their manufacture. Some people have very sensitive skin and can break out in a rash from the formaldehyde and other chemicals without even realizing their rash is from the clothes. Even those people who don’t have a reaction are at risk since continued exposure to carcinogens could increase their chances of contracting cancer. Therefore, all new clothing and fabrics in general should be washed prior to wearing or using them.
It’s difficult to identify clothes that might contain formaldehyde because there are no labels that identify the chemicals used in the processing. So, unless the clothing is identified as one hundred percent organic, they should be laundered. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring compound and is a gas at ambient (room) temperature. It’s even in our bodies and in the air, but in large enough concentrations, it’s harmful. Formaldehyde is an excellent preservative and has many beneficial uses, but because it’s an identified carcinogen, it has to be handled carefully with gloves or respirator masks to avoid inhalation or contact. Exposure of formaldehyde in concentrations of 20 parts per million can cause detrimental effects to the human body. Symptoms of exposure include vomiting and generalized pain. If the concentration is high enough, the exposed person might slip into a coma and die. Several agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have studied the effects of formaldehyde and determined that it is likely a human carcinogen.
Children are more susceptible to toxic levels of exposure and breathing in the fumes from new clothing or even certain cosmetics could cause high enough levels in the body to raise concern. Close contact, as through clothing, can irritate children’s eyes or noses, so the best way to reduce or eliminate the exposure is by being vigilant and not allowing children, or adults for that matter, to wear new clothing before it’s been thoroughly washed.
