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Melamine Exposure: What Are the Effects?

Melamine is a chemical compound widely used in industrial products. The World Health Organization Food Standard Commission does not approve adding melamine in foods for human consumption due to possible health risks. Pet foods and infant milk formulas were discovered to have melamine content which resulted in massive recalls of these products in the early part of the 21st century. There are possible effects with melamine exposure related to its toxicity, including kidney stone formation and renal failure.

  1. Toxic Effects

    • The US Food and Drug Administration determines the safe level of melamine as .63 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. When taken in minimal amounts, melamine exposure does not have a significant effect on health. The formaldehyde and cyanuric acid content in melamine, when ingested in small amounts, does not pose any acute effect in the body. Ingestion in large amounts may pose the risk for abdominal pain, vomiting, renal failure, coma, and in extreme cases may lead to death.

    Kidney Stones

    • It is possible to have kidney-stone formation from exposure to melamine. Cyanuric acid found in melamine powder may activate crystal formation blocking the tubes of the kidney and significantly affecting the urinary functions of the body.

      A research conducted by the Hong Kong University showed that amount of melamine present in the urine is proportionate with the size of the kidney stones found in children who have history of taking milk formula with melamine.

    Renal Failure

    • Renal failure can occur with melamine exposure and the resulting imbalanced acid levels. Symptoms include abnormal phosphate and calcium levels, increased fluids in the body and blood in the urine. The crystal formation from kidney stones may trigger renal failure. The cyanuric acid in melamine can also cause renal tissue damage, fibrosis and tissue death.

    Melamine cookware

    • Some cookware is made with a combination of melamine and formaldehyde. The Centre for Food Safety warns that the chemicals may migrate to food. The migration is influenced by the type and temperature of the food as well as the duration of contact.

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