Dr. Nguyen Thanh Triet, pharmacist, Deputy Head of the Department of Traditional Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, said that formalin, also known as formaldehyde, is a colorless, toxic and flammable gas at room temperature.
"Formalin is extremely toxic, can cause cancer, and is harmful to the eyes. This substance also has antibacterial and antifungal properties by killing tissue cells," Dr. Triet emphasized.
Inhalation of low doses of formaldehyde vapours can cause headaches, rhinitis and difficulty breathing, while higher doses can cause severe irritation of mucous membranes, burning, watery eyes and lower respiratory tract effects such as bronchitis, pulmonary oedema or pneumonia. Sensitive individuals may develop asthma and dermatitis, even at very low doses. Formaldehyde vapours are slightly heavier than air and can cause asphyxiation in poorly ventilated, enclosed or low lying areas.
Formalin-containing anchovies were discovered being transported for consumption.
Ingestion of formalin can cause acute gastritis and enteritis with symptoms of mouth pain, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, vomiting blood, hematuria, followed by oliguria (a decrease in urine output in 24 hours), anuria (a lack of urine in the bladder)... Skin contact with formalin can cause skin necrosis, allergies, dermatitis...
According to the Ministry of Health, exposure to formaldehyde can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and upper and lower respiratory tract. The level of exposure to workers depends on the dose, duration, and location of the work. In industry, formaldehyde is mainly used in the plastics industry and as a chemical intermediate. In addition, formaldehyde is also used in some antiseptic products, cosmetics, hair chemicals, etc.
Difficult to recognize food soaked in formalin
Dr. Triet said that it is very difficult to tell whether a food is preserved with formalin or not. Therefore, when choosing food, people should choose fresh meat, fish... that is soft to the touch, not dry and hard....
"If a food is marinated with formalin, we must wash the food immediately after marinating it to reduce the amount of this substance," Dr. Triet shared.
3.2 tons of anchovies containing formalin discovered
As Thanh Nien Online reported earlier, on October 17, information from the Thanh Hoa Market Management Department said that at about 1:00 a.m. the same day, forces from Market Management Team No. 10 (under the Thanh Hoa Market Management Department) coordinated with the Economic Police Department of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police to inspect and discover a truck pulling a trailer carrying a large quantity of anchovies of unknown origin.
During the inspection, the authorities discovered that the vehicle was carrying many foam boxes containing anchovies, totaling about 3.2 tons.
The authorities conducted a quick test and discovered formalin in the styrofoam boxes containing anchovies. At the time of the inspection, the driver could not present any documents of origin for the product.
The authorities have drawn up a record of the incident and temporarily detained all 3.2 tons of anchovies to continue verifying, clarifying and handling them according to the provisions of law.
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