Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasers

Formaldehyde is a commonly occurring chemical substance and a frequent contact allergen in many countries (Flyvholm 1997). Allergic reactions to formaldehyde can be provoked by exposure to formaldehyde that is added to chemical products or derived from preservatives that release formaldehyde into the products, i.e. formaldehyde releasers. Thus, eczema patients with formaldehyde contact allergy will often benefit from knowledge of exposure to compounds that can release formaldehyde (Cronin 1991; Flyvholm and Menne 1992; Kang et al. 1995). Furthermore, some formaldehyde releasers can act as sensitisers themselves.