In the 1960s formaldehyde levels could be as high as 3,000ppm, this had declined to below 500ppm in the 1980s and in general most clothing now has relatively low levels of formaldehyde.

Products that do not come into direct contact with the skin Products that come into direct contact with the skin for children who are 3 years of age and older and for adults Not detectable (less than 20 parts per million (ppm), equivalent to 0.002%) Products intended for children younger than 3 years of age The most stringent limits for formaldehyde are based on a method that examines the released formaldehyde and is based on a Japanese standard (Japanese Law 112) this method is applied as follows: Limit levels are normally set for ‘free formaldehyde’ (the amount present in the product) and ‘released formaldehyde’ (the amount that may be given off or released by the product). For these reasons there are limits to the amount of formaldehyde allowed in consumer products. In larger quantities, formaldehyde can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation it may cause exacerbation of asthma or cause allergic contact dermatitis. It is predominantly used in fabrics to prevent wrinkling, but can also be used for water-proofing and to promote color fastness.

Formaldehydeįormaldehyde is a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), meaning that it can be released into the atmosphere. Some examples of chemicals used in textiles are as follows: 1. While chemicals and their functionality have very much become a way of life for most people, their use must be monitored in order to ensure that they do not have detrimental effects on the user. Phenols, quaternary ammonium compounds, organo-silverīrominated flame retardants, Chlorinated flame retardants, Phosphorous-containing flame retardants Chemical finishes to textiles can greatly improve their wearability, appearance and functionality, and a great many functional chemical finishes we simply take for granted.Ĭhemical finishes can be durable or non-durable and different chemicals will bind at different strengths to different fibres. Natural textiles can include material such as wool, flax, silk, cotton, bamboo and hemp and synthetic includes such materials as acrylic, nylon, rayon, spandex and polyester. They can be made of natural or synthetic fibres but any allergic reactions or health implications are generally as a response to fibre treatments, such as dyeing and other chemical finishes, rather than the textile itself. Textiles comprise a significant part of our consumer world: clothing, bedding, furnishings, carpeting, towels, car interiors and so on, are all made from textiles. We are constantly in contact with textiles in our environment and so safety and confidence in these products is vital. Chemicals in Textiles and the Health Implications

Chemical finishing of textiles pdf