The pungent gas known as formaldehyde is found in homes across North America. In fact, it’s no surprise that formaldehyde levels are found in formidabble quantities in homes, schools and offices across the United States. This ubiquitos Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) is a known carcinogen that is extremely irritating.
Where Can High Formaldehyde levels be found?
Far too many home furnishing emit formaldehyde, including pressed wood products, carpets, curtains, adhesives and wall finishings. Newer homes have high VOC emissions, and formaldehyde levels are measured at around 52 parts per billion (ppb), while studies show that 16 ppb is known to cause respiratory tract irritation.
Aside from home furnishings that outgas (including baby furniture), the presence of formaldehyde in your home can be attributed to toxic cleaning chemicals, aerosols and varnishes that are used to achieve the characteristic “clean home smell.” Symptoms that indicate formaldehyde levels are high:
· Dry, red irritated eyes
· Itchy, runny nose
· Sinus congestion
· sore throat
· Fatigue
· Chronic sinus infections
· Asthma
· Bronchitis
· Chronic eye infections
· Central nervous system damage (headaches, extreme fatigue, lasstitude)
High formaldehyde levels affect children more than adults. Also, keep in mind, with hot summer days ahead, formaldehyde levels may rise due emissions from home furnishings. If you are already experiencing some of these symptoms, they will get worse during the summer months unless you take the necessary steps to better your indoor air quality and create a safer home.
Here are ten tips to help reduce formaldehyde levels:
1. No tobacco smoking in your home (cigarettes emit over 400 distinct chemicals including formaldehyde).
2. Opt for wood furniture.
3. If you decide to renovate or repaint your home, make sure you have somewhere else to stay. Also, ask your contractor to use soft plywood and other low-emitting products.
4. Don’t run your car in the garage.
5. Keep outdoor barbecues, outdoors and have your HVAC and chimney systems verified regularly.
6. If your home was built during the 1960’s and 70’s, you may want to have it checked for formaldehyde. During that period, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was being used.
7. Hardwood floors are better for your indoor air quality than carpets. Carpets are generally coated with resins that release formaldehyde and other VOCs.
8. Stay away from aerosols, plug-ins and scented candles
9. An air purifier with granular activated carbon can trap formaldehyde emissions.
10. Toxic cleaning chemicals —yikes! You really need to use natural cleaning agents, most (if not all) household cleaners emit hundreds of chemicals into the ambient air of your home; formaldehyde happens to be one of them.
