Accidental Formaldehyde Poisoning in Aquaculture Student

Formaldehyde is an eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritant. Inhalation of vapour can produce narrowing of the bronchi and pneumonia. Liquid formalin causes corrosion of mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Systemic effects of formaldehyde are primarily due to conversion to formic acid and may include metabolic acidosis, circulatory shock, and acute renal failure. We report a case of accidental ingestion of formalin in an aquaculture research student.