The building industry commonly uses composite wood products (forexample pressed board or particle board) when constructing kitchen and bathroom cabinets. These wood goods are treated with formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is also found in the manufacture of hardwood plywood paneling and carpet padding. Throughout the 70’s, many homes were insulated with urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI). This practice was discontinued once the dangers of the high number of formaldehyde in this product were known. Fortunately for those that also are now living in homes insulated with UFFI, formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC) which means it turns into a gas upon connection with air. After 30 years, all the formaldehyde in the UFFI in attics across the country has dissipated.
But think about the formaldehyde that’s lurking in your home? Is it a challenge? Formaldehyde can cause an itchy or burning throat, a dry cough, irritation to the nose and eyes as well as asthma attacks. It can cause dizziness, rashes, or chronic fatigue.
The personal care and cosmetics industry also likes formaldehyde. Read the label of your favorite nail polish or hardener/strengthener. You will dsicover it prominently listed. 除甲醛 Also, search for the name Quaternium-15. This indicates the presence of formaldehyde. You will find it in shampoos, hair spray, sunscreen, and even air fresheners.
Did I mention that formaldehyde is found in embalming? The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, has designated formaldehyde as a known reason for several types of throat and nasal cancer.
So how will you steer clear of the dangers of formaldehyde? Well for wood products, ask about the information when you buy. Avoid products with urea-formaldehyde in them. You are able to always substitute exterior grade plywood for particle board. Urea-formaldehyde isn’t found in exterior products. In the event that you curently have pressed board and particle board in your cabinets, you can seal them with several thin coats of polyurethane.
Keep good ventilation to hasten off-gassing. There is an air cleaner created by Austin Air just for removal of formaldehyde. It is called the HealthMate Plus. As well as formaldehyde, it will even remove dust and other particles as small as .3 microns.
Read the labels of your individual care and household cleaning products. Avoid formaldehyde and Quaternium-15. There are numerous brands of soy-based household cleaners in the marketplace that are formaldehyde-free. I like the Enviro-Rite line by Bioforce Envirotech. Choose your individual care products carefully. Pharmaceutical Specialities comes with an entire type of skin and hair care products for people with sensitive skin and they contain no formaldehyde or parabens and Tom’s of Maine makes deodorant and toothpaste without formaldehyde.