Formaldehyde is a gas that occurs naturally in our bodies and the environment and is also produced commercially. It's a highly effective preservative and disinfectant, and it's a component in many different types of products, including car parts, plastics, plywood, carpet, fabrics, paper products, cleaning products, paints, and cosmetics.
Many shampoos and bubble baths contain preservatives called formaldehyde releasers. These chemicals break down and slowly release very small amounts of formaldehyde to keep bacteria and fungi from growing in the product.
We're routinely exposed to small amounts of formaldehyde through the air we breathe and the products that surround us.
Skin contact with formaldehyde, such as with bath products, isn't a major concern for most people. Babies and children are exposed to only a very small amount of formaldehyde in shampoo and bath products, well within safety guidelines. Some people may have skin reactions to even small amounts of formaldehyde, though.
The greatest danger is from inhaling high concentrations of formaldehyde in the air. We breathe in formaldehyde from many sources, including tobacco smoke, exhaust fumes, gas stoves, new paint and construction, and a variety of household products.
People who live in urban, heavily built-up areas or near certain factories are exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde in the air than people who live in suburban or rural areas. You're more likely to breathe in formaldehyde indoors than outdoors, particularly in rooms with new carpets or furniture made with pressed wood products.
Inhaling formaldehyde can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and may trigger asthma. It has been officially recognized by the U.S. government as a carcinogen. Animal research and studies of people regularly exposed to formaldehyde through their job have shown that long-term exposure to high levels of formaldehyde can cause cancer.
The United States recommends a maximum level of formaldehyde in cosmetics but doesn't regulate it. Products that exceed the recommended limit don't have to carry warning labels. A federal law passed in July 2010 limits the amount of formaldehyde in wood products.
The European Union restricts levels of formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers in cosmetics, and products that exceed safety guidelines carry warnings and list formaldehyde among their ingredients. Sweden and Japan ban formaldehyde from cosmetics and toiletries.
If you want to try to avoid the small amounts of formaldehyde in baby bath and shampoo products, check the labels for these common formaldehyde-releasing ingredients: