Dangers of formaldehydeWhat are the dangers of formaldehyde?
First of all it is both a naturally occurring and an industrially created toxic chemical. When you are exposed to high concentration levels it can have negative effects on your health.
Formaldehyde in manufactureFormaldehyde is used in production to manufacture building materials and everyday products. It is used in a number of ways; as a bonding agent for gluing timber and timber substitutes e.g. MDF, as adhesives in plastics, as a no-iron additive for textiles and drapes, as a paper coating and as a paint preservative.
Formaldehyde in the homeParticleboard, plywood, timber panelling and fibreboard hold high levels of urea-formaldehyde and are generally found in interior environments (flooring, shelving, furniture, cabinetry, door fronts, drawer fronts, furniture tops, wall finishes). MDF is known as holding the highest levels of formaldehyde of all of the interior building materials. Urea-formaldehyde is also found in old foam and fibreglass insulation materials. Materials which are produced with phenol-formaldehyde release lower levels of formaldehyde into the air. Phenol-formaldehyde is usually found in exterior building materials.
In your home, the presence of formaldehyde as a VOC air pollutant air pollutant could be abundant. From furniture, plastics to building materials, other sources are; car emissions, kerosene/wood/natural gas burning heaters/stoves, smoke and tobacco smoke. New materials and products combined with warm temperatures and humid conditions will increase the amount of formaldehyde being released into the air - whereas the older the material or product, the lower the levels of emissions in your home. Plasterboard and carpets are able to capture formaldehyde emissions and emit them during their lifecycle, although their own chemical content has minimal levels of formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde and your healthFrom a health and wellbeing perspective, simply avoid formaldehyde. It is a toxic substance and carries a strong odour in large quantities, although it is colourless gas. This chemical may cause skin, eye and respiration irritations, difficulty breathing, lethargy, headaches and nausea. Cold and flu symptoms are also associated with exposure to formaldehyde, although it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause (as found with sick building syndrome).You may suffer different strengths of allergic reaction from mild to severe. In higher concentration levels it has been linked with cancer. As with all symptoms and medical conditions please consult a doctor for further advice.
What can you do?* The best way to minimise risk and the dangers of formaldehyde is to reduce or eliminate exposure by avoiding newly manufactured products and materials.
* Second in line is to source materials like MDF, HDF, plywood and particleboard which are urea formaldehyde free.
* As a third choice source materials which are made from phenol formaldehyde (lower levels of offgassing).
Your local retailers and manufacturers will be able to advise the chemical content of their materials and products if requested. Spending a little more time investigating the background of materials, furniture and products is good ‘environmental practice’.
However if you would like the help of an expert please use my material and product
'sourcing and selection'
service where I can help you find materials that avoid the dangers of formaldehyde.
* Be careful with air-conditioning systems and dehumidifiers as there is potential for biological pollutants to breed in damp and moist conditions – having their own adverse health effects.
Go back to the health & wellbeing main page
|
