Housing...Inside and Out

February 12, 1999
FORMALDEHYDE - What is it and why should I be concerned about it?

Formaldehyde is a chemical that is released into the air as a pungent gas. It has a number of useful properties such as: It is a good preservative and makes an excellent adhesive. Therefore it is used widely in the building and furnishings industries. It is also found in small amounts in some textiles as an anti-wrinkle agent.

Formaldehyde is a strong irritant that causes watery eyes and in low doses, causes burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat. Wheezing and coughing, fatigue, skin rashes, headaches, loss of coordination and nausea are other symptoms. Larger doses can cause asthma attacks as well as damage to the liver, kidneys and the central nervous system. Some people are highly sensitive and react to formaldehyde concentrations that don't bother most people. Formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals, but there is limited evidence that it causes cancer in humans.

The major source of formaldehyde in the home environment is in the particleboard. The culprit is the adhesive, urea formaldehyde, which can break down, releasing the formaldehyde. Phenol formaldehyde, which is used in exterior paints, does not present problems. Some particleboard is now manufactured with reduced formaldehyde.

Other sources include interior plywood, veneered or laminated furniture and cabinets, some professionally applied furniture and floor finishes, paneling, permanent press fabrics, combustion products and cosmetics.

You can reduce formaldehyde problems by using varnishes and special formaldehyde sealants on all exposed edges and surfaces, such as the undersides of countertops, cabinet interiors and drawers. High humidity and elevated temperatures cause formaldehyde release so you might want to control humidity through air conditioning and dehumidifiers. Also, increase ventilation, particularly after bringing new sources of formaldehyde into the home. When remodeling and in new construction, select low formaldehyde materials.


Written by Dr. Francis Graham (Retired)

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