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| FORMALDEHYDE AND THE LIVING BODY |
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FORMOCRESOL USE IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Another formaldehyde based dental material that is little known to the public and used in pediatric dentistry is formocresol (definition). Formocresol generally contains 19% formaldehyde, much higher concentration than Sargenti Paste type formulations. The trade name for this material is Buckley's Formocresol. The formocresol is soaked in cotton pellets and then placed in contact with the circulatory system through the open crown of the tooth; literally on a live wound. This procedure is also known to be called a "baby root canal".
Because there are safer and equally effective alternatives available, the Sargenti Opposition Society holds a position and recommendation against the use of this material on children or adults. Serious cases of damage followed by concealment of its use have been documented followed by light disciplinary action (see example). We suggest that you specifically ask your dentist is they use formocresol and make an informed decision of whether or not you will allow it to be used on you or your child. Should it be used and an injury occur, immediate treatment is necessary to avoid permanent harm.
MATERIAL SCIENCE DATA SHEETS
PARAFORMALDEHYDE (Sargenti Paste) - Link 1, Link 2
BUCKLEY'S FORMOCRESOL - Link
FORMALDEHYDE - Link |
*NEW* FORMALDEYDE INFORMATION FROM THE FDA, OHSA, HHS
NOT JUST A DENTAL ISSUE
Although not a dental case, the following demonstrates that formaldehyde should not be put into any part of a living body and also shows the medical and legal implications of of its inappropriate use in medicine. A woman was injected in her foot with Formalin (formaldehyde) that had inadvertently been mixed with other agents and consequently was left with permanent numbness and pain. A lawsuit was filed.
EUROPEAN UNION BANS FORMALDEHYDE USAGE
Several European countries restrict the use of formaldehyde, including the import of formaldehyde-treated products and embalming, and the European Union is considering a complete ban on formaldehyde usage (including embalming), subject to a review of List 4B of the Technical Annex to the Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the Evaluation of the Active Substances of Plant Protection Products by the European Commission Services. Countries with a strong tradition of embalming corpses, such as Ireland and other colder weather countries, have raised concerns.
The European Union has decided on the date September 22 2007 to ban formaldehyde use throughout Europe, because of its carcinogenic properties. ( Link) |
FORMOCRESOL PUBLICATIONS, NEWS REPORTS & LAWSUITS |
*NEW* 2009 Case Report from India. This article again demonstrates that timely treatment for formaldehyde related injuries is imperative for recovery.
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NY formocresol lawsuit settled for $50,000. (link) |
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Preservation options in dentistry, Guyana Chronicle Online, 02 May 2010.
Years ago, dentists attempted to mummify the nerve in root canals by inserting a pellet of cotton soaked in a preservative such as formocresol. The technique proved extremely unreliable and caused extensive damage if the caustic solution spread to the bone outside the tooth. But despite the criticisms of poor treatment, many teeth survived with incomplete root canal technique. |
Formocresol (formaldehye) chemical spill results in evacuation of hospital. The same chemical used by pediatric dentists! (link) |
Formocresol chemical spill at dentist office causes need for hospital treatment. Less than one ounce spill of a material used in our childrens mouth by pediatric dentists. (link)
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Formocresol exposure in dental offices sends employees to ER. (link) |
NASA protects astronauts from formaldehyde (link)
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Victoria Secret bras reported to contain harmful formaldehyde (link)
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Accidental fatal formaldehyde poisoning (link)
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Is Multiple System Atrophy, a fatal neurological disorder, tied to formaldehyde exposure? "One patient with multiple system atrophy confirmed by postmortem evaluation was exposed to high concentrations of malathion, diazinon, and formaldehyde" (link)
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Formaldehyde exposure is linked to Lou Gehrig's Disease (link). Why would any dentist put a patient in harm's way of these types of horrible diseases? What patient would knowingly and willingly allow it?
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Human Health Effects:
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/r?dbs+hsdb:@term+@rn+50-00-0
There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde.
Overall evaluation: Formaldehyde is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).
IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man. Vol 88 Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation. (Last updated: September 7, 2004).
Available from, as of June 22, 2006: http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol88/volume88.pdf
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Injured patients should file an adverse event report with the FDA.
Absent
reports from the public, the FDA will not realize the extent
of the dangers
of Sargent Paste. Click here to file report. Also ask
your doctor to file a
report on your behalf. Since reports are
voluntary over 90% of adverse events go unreported.