Background:
Although it is reported that textile resins in the United States today are less likely to have free formaldehyde release, there has been a resurgence in cases of clothing dermatitis. Various methods have been suggested to detect formaldehyde in fabrics, but some methods seem impractical for use in a busy office practice setting.
Objective:
The purpose of the study was to test for the presence of formaldehyde in fabrics and to assess the usefulness of recommended “office” methods for formaldehyde detection.
Methods:
Fifteen fabrics (cottons, blends, and synthetics; both United States and imported) were evaluated using the Formalert (Organon Teknika, Durham, NC), Schiff's reagent, and chromotropic acid methods. Change in formaldehyde content after domestic wash cycles also was evaluated.
Results:
Six of 15 samples tested positive by the Schiff's method; 3 of these also tested positive to chromotropic acid, and 2 were positive with Formalert. All fabrics that tested positive for formaldehyde were cottons or cotton blends. Using a quantitative spectrophotometric chromotropic acid method, the positive samples were measured before and after both single and multiple domestic wash/dry cycles. After a single cycle, formaldehyde content decreased by at least 50%, most often to trace levels.
Conclusion:
Significant levels of formaldehyde in fabric may be less frequent now than previously reported and washing clothing is a useful recommendation. The Schiff's reagent test seems to be a simple and useful office screening procedure that produces a reaction that is easily interpreted, although some false-positive reactions may occur.
