12-JUN-11 The US Govt. Issued warnings on Friday about 2 materials used daily by millions saying formaldehyde causes cancer & styrene might.
Govt scientists listed formaldehyde as carcinogen & said it is found in worrisome quantities in plywood, particle board, mortuaries & hair salons. They also said styrene used in boats, bathtubs disposable foam plastic cups & plates may cause cancer but is generally found in such low levels that risks are low. Frequent & intense exposures in manufacturing plants are far more worrisome than the intermittent contact that most customers have, but Govt. Scientist said consumers should still avoid contact with formaldehyde & styrene, added to the official "report on carcinogens". Its release was delayed for years due to intense lobbying from the chemical ind; which disputed its findings.
John Butcher, associate director of the national toxicology program, which produced the report, said evidence of formaldehyde's carcinogenicity was far stronger than for styrene & consumers were more likely to be exposed to dangerous quantities of formaldehyde. The federal occupational safety & health administration warned in April that a hair-care product, professional smoothing solution, contained unacceptable levels of formaldehyde & salon workers have reported headaches, nose bleed, burning eyes, vomiting & asthama after using the product & other hair straighteners.
Studies of workers exposed to high levels of formaldehyde have found increased incidences of myeloid leukemia & rare cancers of the nasal passages & upper mouth. Dr. Otis Brawley, Chief medical officer at American cancer society, said formaldehyde is both worrisome & inescapable.
*Above report is an extract from the article by Gardiner Harris, Washington from Indian express, page 19 on Sunday the 12th day of 2011 & is only meant for general awareness.
