The use of formaldehyde in portable toilets has a long history but is now known to be extremely hazardous.
This common deodorizing chemical was once seen as an effective way to control odors in portable restrooms, but studies have since confirmed that exposure causes serious health issues like throat cancer.
This article will examine the dangers of formaldehyde, the shift away from its use in the portable toilet industry, and safer modern alternatives.
We’ll uncover why formaldehyde is no longer found in the “blue chemical” used in porta-potties today.
I’ve seen a lot of changes in our “blue juice” formulas.
Back in the day, nearly all portable toilet deodorizers contained formaldehyde as the main ingredient.
This pungent chemical was incredibly effective at masking unpleasant odors and curbing bacteria growth in porta potty tanks.
While it did the job, formaldehyde had some seriously nasty side effects.
Formaldehyde was first utilized in primitive portable loos in World War II to accommodate sailors stuck on ships for long stretches.
These early potties were made of wood and metal – heavy and hard to clean.
The first “blue liquids” were practically straight formaldehyde, with a little dye added to the mixture.
Here’s a quick rundown of how it was used:
While formaldehyde worked wonders at controlling odors on the job, we now know it came at a terrible cost to human health and the environment.
Keep reading to learn about the serious risks of formaldehyde exposure.
Working around formaldehyde every day in those early portable loos was rough – the stench would stick to your clothes and sting your eyes.
Worse than the noxious fumes though were the health hazards for the crew.
As a carcinogen, formaldehyde can do some nasty damage when inhaled, especially over long periods.
Here’s an overview of the health risks:
A major study back in 2003 focused on how low-level exposure affected rats.
Just breathing in tiny amounts of formaldehyde vapor caused significant changes in the rodents’ motor skills and activities.
That opened my eyes to the dangers of being exposed daily.
Other critical research links formaldehyde to everything from nasal cancer in rats to acute poisoning.
Working in the portable sanitation industry meant we were serving public health in some ways, but threatening our health too.
It became clear a change had to be made.
Of course, the health risks of formaldehyde exposure were not limited to us portable toilet workers – it was damaging the environment too.
As a natural byproduct of some forest fires and animal waste, formaldehyde occurs in nature in small amounts.
However, the levels emitted through industrial use were unnatural and became incredibly toxic.
Once released into the air, formaldehyde breaks down into other harmful substances like formic acid and carbon dioxide.
But the biggest threat is to water systems and aquatic life.
Here’s an overview of the environmental impact:
With those kinds of devastating effects throughout the ecosystem, it became clear that formaldehyde-laden “blue juice” had to go.
For the health of portable toilet workers and the environment, a change had to come.
Seeing the health effects of formaldehyde first-hand working in portable sanitation was convincing enough for me.
However, the scientific studies emerging in the 1980s about its serious risks sealed the deal on phasing it out.
Researchers have been rigorously studying the impacts of formaldehyde exposure over the past few decades:
The research stacks up to paint a pretty grim picture.
One analysis I found especially alarming showed that inhaling formaldehyde vapor increased the risk of throat cancer by 60% in humans.
Other studies focused on occupational exposure, like in industrial or medical settings.
But it became clear that exposure from sources like portable toilet deodorizers posed a major risk too.
These scientific findings added fuel to the fire – it was time to find a safer alternative.
Once the health hazards of formaldehyde became clear, the portable sanitation industry had to evolve.
For years, companies relied on it as the main deodorizing and preservative ingredient without understanding the risks.
But with new scientific research emerging in the 1970s and 80s, the hunt was on for alternative formulas.
This major shift accelerated as companies developed new solutions to control odors and bacteria without using formaldehyde.
Innovations in portable toilet construction also helped, with safer plastics like polyethylene replacing wood and metal.
Some key milestones in the industry’s shift away from formaldehyde:
It was a long process, but by the 1990s formaldehyde was rare in leading portable toilet deodorizers.
The benefits to human health made moving away from this hazardous chemical a necessity.
Today’s formulas are safer and more effective than ever thanks to industry-wide innovation.
Once formaldehyde was phased out in the 1990s, companies had to develop new solutions for odor and bacteria control.
Replacing such an effective chemical was challenging, but the industry succeeded in creating safer, formaldehyde-free formulas.
Today’s products rely on:
The most advanced deodorizers use a combination approach.
For example, some leading brands’ portable toilet packets include biocides to stop bacteria, bright dye to conceal waste, and pleasant fragrances to overwhelm smells.
By finding the optimal mix of ingredients, companies have moved far past formaldehyde.
Thanks to industry innovation, portable toilets today provide a fresher, healthier experience without relying on hazardous chemicals.
Workers like me no longer have to risk our health just to provide a sanitary service.
As a seasoned portable sanitation professional, I know how crucial it is to choose products that get the job done without compromising health.
Here are my top tips for selecting formaldehyde-free deodorizers and chemicals:
By following these guidelines, portable toilet owners can provide the healthiest, freshest facilities.
And workers like me can do our jobs safely without exposure to hazardous formaldehyde fumes.
Early formulas used in the 1940s-1980s consisted of up to 37% formaldehyde solution, with a blue dye added for masking waste.
Exposure can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, wheezing and coughing, fatigue, skin rash, and severe allergic reactions.
Read ingredient labels closely, avoid products with “formalin” or “methylene glycol”, and look for “formaldehyde-free” assurances from manufacturers.
