What do you know about Formaldehyde?
What do you know about Ammonia and MEA ?
Some facts for us all to know and so i thought I would share some chemistry with those who might be interested. We owe it to ourselves our work mates and our clients to be informed. We have to make the right choices and also pass on the right information.
What do you know about Formaldehyde? Yes it's found in many of the keratin relaxer!
What is Formaldehyde? What are the risks?
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature. It has a pungent, distinct odor and may cause a burning sensation to the eyes, nose, and lungs at high concentrations. You are exposed to small amounts of formaldehyde in the air. It occurs from both natural and man made sources although combustion is the largest source. There is usually more formaldehyde present indoors than outdoors and is often used as a preservative. Formaldehyde is irritating to tissues when it comes into direct contact with them. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of formaldehyde than others. The most common symptoms include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, along with increased tearing, which occurs at air concentrations of about 0.4–3 parts per million (ppm). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that formaldehyde is immediately dangerous to life and health at 20 ppm. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that formaldehyde may reasonably be anticipated to be a human carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that formaldehyde is probably carcinogenic to humans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that formaldehyde is a probable human carcinogen. Given its known health risks, it is important to limit exposure to formaldehyde especially in high and repeated concentrations.
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature. It has a pungent, distinct odor and may cause a burning sensation to the eyes, nose, and lungs at high concentrations. You are exposed to small amounts of formaldehyde in the air. It occurs from both natural and man made sources although combustion is the largest source. There is usually more formaldehyde present indoors than outdoors and is often used as a preservative. Formaldehyde is irritating to tissues when it comes into direct contact with them. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of formaldehyde than others. The most common symptoms include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, along with increased tearing, which occurs at air concentrations of about 0.4–3 parts per million (ppm). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that formaldehyde is immediately dangerous to life and health at 20 ppm. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that formaldehyde may reasonably be anticipated to be a human carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that formaldehyde is probably carcinogenic to humans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that formaldehyde is a probable human carcinogen. Given its known health risks, it is important to limit exposure to formaldehyde especially in high and repeated concentrations.
What are other names for Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is also known as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethylene, methylaldehyde, oxomethane, formalin, aldehyde, formic aldehyde, formol, biformyl, glutaraldehyde, ethyl alcohol, methylene glycol, glyoxal and new kid on the block Octanal is known as an aldehyde C-8 which is a formaldehyde based preservative.
What do you know about Ammonia and MEA ? Used as the active Alkaline in hair colour?
Monoethanolamine and Ammonia Fact Sheet
1. Monoethanolamine (MEA) is a stable alkaline liquid.
2. Ammonia is a gas.
3. MEA has a larger molecule than ammonia, which means it is less volatile.
4. MEA does not give off gas when used in hair colour.
5. Ammonia gas is given off when used in hair colour.
6. Ammonia gas can dissolve in water to form Ammonium Hydroxide, which is highly corrosive. This can occur on the skin, eyes and lungs if large enough amounts of gas are released. (Source MSDS sheet from Airgas Inc.)
7. The Danish government has banned the mixing of ammonia colours in the salon. They have to be mixed under an extraction system in a separate room.
8. The symptoms associated with specific ammonia concentrations are as follows:
0.6ppm-53ppm 25ppm-50ppm
Odour threshold. Irritation of the eyes and mucous membrane, which can be tolerated for several hours. Immediate irritation of the throat which may be tolerated for 1 hour.
100ppm-150ppm (Source MSDS sheet from Airgas Inc.)
9. Ammonia in small doses does not present a health risk.
10. Prolonged exposure of ammonia does present a health risk.
11. Many colours, including Matrix, use ammonia and monoethanolamine.
12. The argument that MEA has not been used long enough to be judged “safe” is completely untrue, it has been used for at least 30 years in hair colour.
13. There is no proof that ammonia washes off the hair and that MEA does not.
14. Tints of Nature uses oleic acid in the formulation specifically to neutralise MEA, so even if the colour was not washed off correctly, the MEA has been neutralised and would have no adverse effect on the hair.
I hope having read this it was helpful maybe pushes a few buttons raises some questions? If so seek out the answers ! We all have choice.
Mike B2MR
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