Andrew Grebneff wrote concerning formaldehyde,
> It is toxic, but not all THAT bad. The problem with it is that if it
enters the body it breaks down, and the prime product is formic acid... so
first it fixes your tissues, then it starts to eat them... so don't be
frightened of it, but if you get it on your skin it's prudent to wash it off
straight away.

> Particle board is made using formaldehyde, and gives off fumes for years
(which is why shells should not be kept in praticleboard or MDF cabinets).
This stuff is used in furniture (including beds) and flooring. So many
houses are full of formaldehyde fumes anyway.

Thanks for the news. Some people become allergic to formaldehyde, especially
after working with it a lot. For an aptly Kiwi source of information on
this, see:
http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/formaldehyde-allergy.html
I agree, it's not as dangerous as hydrofluoric acid or concentrated acetic
acid -- the second of which, incidentally, we eat with pleasure on salads in
dilute form.

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama

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