Most liquid cleaning products contain water. Where there is water, there is the potential for microbial growth. Preservatives help keep products stable and safe during storage and use. Some preservatives work by slowly releasing formaldehyde over time.
Common examples include:
- DMDM Hydantoin
- Quaternium-15
- Diazolidinyl Urea
- Imidazolidinyl Urea
Formaldehyde is classified by major international health agencies as a known human carcinogen.
Although formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are not the same thing as pure formaldehyde, they have attracted attention because they are designed to release formaldehyde as part of their preservative function.
