Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical. Inhalation in gaseous state causes poisoning. In addition, people breathing formaldehyde, drowsiness, headache, fatigue and dizziness are seen as complaints. Formaldehyde that is transmitted to the skin as a liquid causes skin itching and irritates the skin. In case of contact with the skin, it should be washed with water and the skin should not be allowed to absorb this material.

In the textile industry, formaldehyde is used to prevent fabric shrinkage during finishing processes. It also prevents the product from wrinkling and provides quick drying.

This substance is also used in the leather industry. Among the substances that are used in various stages of leather production and which are extremely dangerous for the skin are formaldehyde. Employers have an obligation to protect employees against these and other toxic chemicals.

Formaldehyde is used in leather production, descaling, tanning, second tanning and finishing processes. Tanning or tanning processes are carried out with the aim of increasing the resistance of the fibers to degradation, disintegration and microorganisms. The skin is processed in this way, subjected to a number of physical and chemical processes and made to be used as a product.

Accredited laboratories also perform tests to determine the amount of formaldehyde in the skin within the scope of specific tests. These tests take into account the standards published by national and international organizations. Standards for determining the amount of formaldehyde in the skin are as follows:

• TS EN ISO 17226-1 Skin - Chemical determination of fomaldehyde content - Part 1: High performance liquid chromatographic method
• TS EN ISO 17226-2 Leather - Chemical determination of fomaldehyde content - Part 2: Colorimetric analysis method
• TS EN ISO 17226-3 Skin - Chemical determination of fomaldehyde content - Part 3: Determination of formaldehyde emission from leather
• DIN 53315 Skin test - Determination of formaldehyde