Formaldehyde claims

What is formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a colourless, pungent gas used in a wide range of products and processes in the UK, including the production of resins and adhesives, and for the preservation of tissue samples in medical settings and university laboratories. It is known as formalin in its liquid form.

Despite its widespread use, formaldehyde is a toxic substance that can cause irritation in the eyes, nose and throat which can lead to respiratory problems and dermatitis (skin allergies). In severe cases, it has also been linked to cancerous nasal tumours and leukaemia.

Because of this, the use of formaldehyde – particularly in high concentrations such as its liquid form – must be highly controlled and employers are obligated to provide suitable protection to any employee who may come into contact with the substance.

How is formaldehyde used in the UK?

Formaldehyde is used in a wide range of processes and products across the UK, particularly in the production of other chemicals, resins, adhesives, binding agents, and in urea-formaldehyde foam insulation.

It can also be used as a preservative, and can be found in:

• Cosmetics and nail products
• Disinfectants (used in hospitals)
• Paint, coating, and textiles
• Preservative solution for tissue samples in mortuaries and laboratories (in its liquid form, formalin)

What is formaldehyde poisoning?

As formaldehyde occurs naturally in some fruits and foods (and is even produced in small amounts by the human body), low levels of contact are highly unlikely to cause any harm.

However, in high quantities, formaldehyde is known to cause respiratory problems, headaches and cognitive issues, skin irritation, fatigue and nausea. It has also been classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and there have been studies linking exposure to damage to the female reproductive system and the nervous system.

How should my employer protect me from formaldehyde exposure?

There are workplace exposure limits for the use of formaldehyde in working environments. These are set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK.

Currently, the legal limit for exposure to formaldehyde (that is, the highest level of exposure that is deemed ‘safe’ by the HSE), is two parts per million (ppm) over eight hours. However, the HSE state that it is the employer’s obligation to reduce exposure to the lowest reasonably practicable level.

It is worth noting that the UK’s legal limit is seven times higher than the legal limit in the EU and is the highest defined limit anywhere in the western world. Plans to impose a stricter limit in line with the EU were shelved after Brexit.

What’s more, there isn’t always a guarantee that workplace exposure limits are adhered to in working environments. In fact, a recent study carried out by pathologist Dr Richard Yates and academic Dr Magdalena Plesa revealed that 70% of the 117 NHS pathology departments in England had regularly exceeded the EU safety threshold over 12 months – and 34% have exceeded the higher UK limit.

What happens if I’ve been exposed to formaldehyde in the workplace?

Your employer is legally and morally obligated to provide a safe working environment, and this includes ensuring that employees are not exposed to dangerous levels of formaldehyde.

If you believe your employer has failed in this obligation and you’ve suffered injury or illness as a result, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Start your formaldehyde claim

Can I make a claim for compensation if I’ve been made ill due to formaldehyde exposure?

The long-term impact of formaldehyde exposure can often take years or even decades to become apparent. Illnesses and injuries such as severe dermatitis, respiratory problems, neurological injury, or cancers including nasal and throat, and myeloid leukemia can occur after repeated and/or prolonged exposure to formaldehyde.

Simon Matthews, a specialist industrial disease solicitor at Slater and Gordon, has urged anyone who suspects they have worked, or currently work, in an environment where formaldehyde may be present should be vigilant. He commented: “Often, the impact of formaldehyde takes years, even decades, to become apparent, and people suffer greatly as a result. We also see many people whose symptoms have presented more quickly – people who are still working today in environments where formaldehyde is present.”

If you’ve been diagnosed with an illness you believe was caused by formaldehyde in the workplace, and your employer failed to provide adequate protection, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Compensation for formaldehyde exposure can be an important resource to enable you and your family get the support you need, such as high-quality medical treatments, rehabilitation and therapy. It can also help to highlight poor or dangerous practices in your current or previous working environments, which can lead to investigations and steps being taken to ensure no one else needs to go through the same thing.

To learn more about compensation for formaldehyde exposure, speak to our specialist industrial disease team today on 0330 041 5869 or get it touch online.

Why choose Slater and Gordon?

At Slater and Gordon, our roots are deeply ingrained in industrial and occupational disease. Our leading team is comprised of highly acclaimed industrial solicitors, including practice head Jordon Bell, managing director and principal lawyer Madelene Holdsworth, and senior associate Simon Matthews. Based in our Newcastle office, Simon has considerable expertise in handling claims arising from inhalation, ingestion and absorption claims from exposure to harmful chemicals in various employment sectors.

Making a claim for formaldehyde exposure can be complex and daunting, so it is crucial that you have a trusted and expert solicitor by your side. We are one of the UK’s top consumer law firms and have helped thousands of people claim the compensation they deserve.

• Our specialists have received high rankings from reputable independent legal guides, such as Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500
• Many of our personal injury solicitors hold positions within Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), including senior litigator and accreditations as asbestos specialists and occupational disease specialists.
• We’re regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
• We’re accredited by The Law Society's Lexcel program, recognising that we adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and ensure our clients benefit from our expertise.
• We pride ourselves on taking a holistic approach to every case that goes far behind legal support, and we work with every client to secure any future care and rehabilitation they may require.
• We also work closely with several charities that support those who’ve suffered from an occupational disease, including AASC, HASAG, Mesothelioma UK, and more.