Note Formaldéhyde
General points
Formaldehyde (CAS No: 50-00-0), also known as methanol or formic aldehyde, is a colorless highly irritating gas. It is soluble in water and some organic solvents such as ethanol and diethyl ether. Aqueous solutions of formaldehyde are known under the name of formalin (INRS, 2006a).
Formaldehyde occurs at room temperature as a suffocating, acrid odor colorless gas. The INRS (2006a) indicates that the minimum perception threshold for this characteristic odor is 0.05 ppm and it is detected by most people around 1 ppm (1.23 mg/m3). It is reactive and is easily polymerized at room temperature and normal pressure. The vapor pressure of the formaldehyde is 3886 mm Hg at 25 ° C.
Formaldehyde is classified in the EU as a carcinogen substance category 3 since 1993 when the 19th ATP, updated at the 22nd ATP in 1996 (possible carcinogen in humans) (R40, suspected carcinogenic, insufficient evidence).
In 2004, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified this substance in Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans).
In this context, an European procedure of reclassification of formaldehyde is currently underway. While waiting for a new classification, the Ministry of labor in France added early, effective January 1, 2007, "work involving exposure to formaldehyde" in the list of processes considered as carcinogen (order of July 13, 2006). It is an order that modifies the 05 January 1993 order laying down the list of substances, preparations and carcinogenic processes within the meaning of the 21st paragraph of section R. 231-56 of the labor code.
Formaldehyde in high exposure acts by local toxicity at the level of direct exposure sites (eyes, oto-rhino-laryngeal sphere (ENT), gastrointestinal tract, skin, etc.). It is found in toothpaste, in wood and in almost all cosmetic products.
Regulations
Formaldehyde is listed in directive 76/768/EEC of the Council of 27 July 1976 to bridge a gap among the Member States laws concerning cosmetic products, in annexes VI and III transposed into national law by the amended Decree of 6 February 2001 establishing the list of conservatives that may contain cosmetic products and the list of substances that can be used in cosmetic products outside of the restrictions and conditions laid down by this list :
- Annex VI (entry n ° 5) concentrations expressed in free formaldehyde following: formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde in the maximum concentration of 0.2% as a conservative and 0.1% for oral hygiene products. It is noted that the formaldehyde is prohibited in aerosols (sprays).
Many substances regarded as formaldehyde releasing factor are permitted in cosmetic products (cf. annexes 1 and 2). The resulting free formaldehyde concentration issued of these cosmetic products must not exceed the maximum formaldehyde free, equivalent, to the concentration of 0.2%.
In addition, if the concentration of formaldehyde exceeds 0.05% and this regardless of the source, it must be indicated on the label with the words "contains formaldehyde".
Guarantee certificate
The Kerat-in Cosmétique company, always anxious to offer to the customers the best possible service, allows you transparently and systematically access to formaldehyde tests* of each lot number of keratin Instantané bought.
* For information our formaldehyde tests are carried out by an independent French laboratory and are downloadable on the Formaldehyde Test link
