Hazards of formalin use

One of the recent burning issues for the last few days is the excessive amount of formalin being used in our food. Formalin is a colourless, strong chemical which is normally used to preserve corpses, and now being used to give fruits, fishes etc. a fresher look and attractiveness.
Formalin creates a wide range of health problems. It irritates the respiratory tract, causing sneezing, sore throat, larynx constriction, bronchitis and pneumonia. It can affect the skin, causing dermatitis. If taken in large amounts, it is extremely harmful to almost every internal organ. This can be revealed through symptoms of nausea, vomiting blood, acidosis, etc. It also causes cancer.
A study conducted by a green organization revealed that this year, a lot of seasonal fruits like mangoes, litchis and blackberries have been soaked in dangerous amounts of formalin before reaching the market. Fish and fruits are supposed to be a part of our diet but now due to these illegal chemicals being used and little action being taken against it, they are causing the serious diseases that are badly affecting the nation's health.
Samiha Raida
The Aga Khan School
Dhaka