This substance is extremely toxic, easily soluble in water so it can penetrate the skin, easily evaporates in the air so it can affect the respiratory system if inhaled.

Know but still subjective

According to the reporter’s investigation, nowadays many people when going out often do not prepare in advance, when there is a sudden rain, they rush to the store to buy raincoats. Many people know that these are “fake” goods, can be harmful to health but still have to use them.

Mr. Hong Tien (De La Thanh - Hanoi) said: "I ride a Drem motorbike, which doesn't have a trunk, so bringing a raincoat with me is almost impossible. Therefore, when it rains on the street, I usually buy a raincoat for 7,000 to 10,000 VND/piece. It's convenient and actually not too expensive, because it doesn't rain every day."

Illustration photo.

Talking about the fear of using raincoats that affect health, Mr. Tien said: "This season, the rain often comes in gusts, so we only wear them for a while and then take them off. If the raincoat has any chemicals or dyes, they probably won't have time to stick to the body."

More careful than Mr. Tien, Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nga, an accountant for a food company in My Dinh - Tu Liem - Hanoi, said: "Usually when I go to work, I often bring a bought raincoat with me just in case, but there are days when I clean the car and forget to put the bought raincoat in, so when I have to buy one, I have to buy a cheap raincoat on the sidewalk to wear."

Ms. Nga also had to admit that the thin raincoats on the sidewalks are very uncomfortable, very pungent and smelly, and even when worn and exposed to rain, the dyes from the raincoats fade and stick directly under the skin. “I think everyone should be cautious and careful with sidewalk raincoats, especially cheap, brightly colored raincoats because those types definitely use chemicals to create colors and pose a risk of causing illness when used,” Ms. Nga shared.

Not only Ms. Nga, but many people who use this type of raincoat also have similar opinions, "It is true that this type of raincoat is convenient and cheap, but it has a very unpleasant smell when worn, and when that smell sticks to your clothes, you have to accept being "tortured" all day," said Ms. Le Thi Minh Anh, an office worker.

Sick from subjectivity

According to chemical experts, the subjectivity of consumers when using raincoats is the main cause of pathogens to the body. Because raincoats, in addition to colorants, also contain a very toxic chemical, which is formaldehyde.

According to research by the World Health Organization, formalin is used in the production of plastics, raincoats, the sizing process in the textile industry and the preparation of industrial chemicals. This is a very toxic organic substance, widely produced and usually exists in two forms: when in gas form, formalin is a colorless substance, has a very special pungent smell, and is easily soluble in water. When dissolved in water, formalin is in the form of a solution called formalin.

Dr. Tran Hong Con, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said that although formaldehyde is a colorless gas, it can be recognized by its smell. When not cleaned, formaldehyde often has a pungent and slightly foul smell. This is also a flammable substance and evaporates at ambient temperature. In the natural environment, formaldehyde is found in car exhaust, wood-burning furnaces, cigarette smoke, etc.

In industry, formaldehyde is often prepared from methylic alcohol (CH3 - OH) with a silver catalyst heated at a temperature of 500 to 600 degrees Celsius, and is often used to produce hair dyes, glues, plastics, rubber, explosives... Formate easily combines with proteins (usually food ingredients) to form stable compounds that do not rot or spoil, but are very difficult to digest.

Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause acute symptoms such as: irritation causing withdrawal of eye mucosa, red eyes; irritation of the upper respiratory tract causing runny nose, laryngitis, respiratory tract infection, bronchial asthma, pneumonia. Causes suffocation if absorbed at a concentration of 1/20000 in the air.

Not only that, this is also the agent that causes contact dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, hives. Causes harmful effects on the digestive tract such as: slow digestion, digestive disorders, stomach ulcers, colitis... When exposed, or ingested at a high concentration can cause death.

In particular, formaldehyde is also a carcinogen in many organs in the body: increasing the rate of sinus cancer, respiratory cancer, especially nose, throat, lung, digestive tract cancer... This is also one of the factors that cause deviations and mutations of chromosomes. Pregnant women who use it may be affected in the development of the fetus.

Regarding the issue of raincoats containing formaldehyde causing disease, Dr. Tran Hong Con said that because formaldehyde is a substance that easily evaporates in the air and is easily soluble in water, before using, consumers should wash the raincoat several times and then dry it in the air so that the formaldehyde dissolves or evaporates.

The best way is to choose good quality raincoats, always carry them with you to prevent sudden rains, and not be subjective, only run to find a raincoat when it rains and then use it. This will potentially cause many diseases because the user will be in direct contact with toxic formaldehyde.

According to Kienthuc.net.vn – TL